Services Provided
Ethnographic Research • Market Research • Ideation • Industrial Design • Mechanical Engineering • Prototype Fabrication and Testing • Transition to Manufacturing
Client
Original Power licenses the Craftsman® brand
UNMET NEED
Develop the first battery-powered, interchangeable outdoor power tool set.
Scope
Original Power approached Slingshot with a challenge to design the first cordless, interchangeable outdoor power tool system.
Accomplishments
First of its kind, battery-powered cordless interchangeable outdoor tool system
Interpretation of the Craftsman® brand language in interchangeable outdoor power tools
Product enjoyed commercial success for a number of years
Breakthrough
Utilized new 18V nickel-cadmium battery technology.
Developed proper ergonomics and balance that worked for all four tools.
Developed a unique Twist & Lock engagement system with robust and durable joints.
Optimizing Function through Iterative Prototyping
Slingshot undertook a massive prototyping effort to solve for the engineering and ergonomic challenges of all user touch points. Not only did Slingshot utilize 3D printing techniques, but also created “quick-and-dirty” foam models and weighted prototypes, which could be rapidly modified to optimize weight, balance and ergonomics.
