Reverse Engineering Toothbrush Lincoln Mackenzie and Colby Spitzer

Disassembly

Step 1: Remove battery cover Remove battery

Step 2: Pry off the toothbrush head Take the head apart

Step 3: Remove protective rubber

Step 4: Remove rubber band from toothbrush base Pull out the metal rod from the top of the toothbrush

Step 5: Remove center piece of toothbrush Remove the motor from center piece

Step 6: We began taking the motor apart

Step 6 cont. We got the top off the motor And the white piece

Step 7: Rip the motor apart

Step 7 cont.

Fully disassembled

How is an electric toothbrush made? (Manufacturing Process) Ø The battery casings start out as millions of tiny plastic granules. These are melted down and turned into the battery casing. Ø The head of the toothbrush starts with no bristles, and a machine filled with bristles jams the bristles into each toothbrush head in seconds. Stronger and sturdier bristles are put in the center while the edges are softer so they don’t damage the gums. A razor-sharp blade cuts away any extra extensions on the bristles leaving them all the perfect length. They then blunt the sharp edges of the bristles. Ø For the neck of the brush, a light sensor tells when the pin is in its place and it quickly puts on a plastic cover to hold the head. They then blast it with UV light to kill any germs. Next, the necks are given their heads. Ø A machine places the motor and any other gears needed together, and places them in the casing. Ø For toothbrushes with rechargeable batteries, they will have the battery placed in by a worker. Ø Once the toothbrushes are all put together, they will test them by scrubbing false teeth.

How do the various parts interact? The battery powers the motor and the motor sends power to the vibrating rod. The vibrating rod makes the bristle pieces vibrate and rotate.

What are the good and bad features of the product? Some negative features: Ø Some say the toothbrush is too large for the user’s mouth. Ø Some people say that the bristles are too hard and rough and the toothbrush stopped working after 3 months of use. Ø Another negative feature people say this toothbrush has is the loud noise it makes when it is being used. Some positive features: Ø Some people say that their teeth feel smooth and clean after using this product Ø People like the fact that both pieces vibrate, not just the circular one on the top. Ø People like that the price is low and the toothbrush works well

What has caused the product to succeed or fail? Ø The toothbrush we used for our project worked perfectly fine. Until we took it apart. Ø Every part and piece of the toothbrush did exactly what is was supposed to even though it has been used before.

Are the materials that were used appropriate? Ø The materials used were appropriate because it worked properly and served it’s purpose. The bristles cleaned the teeth, the rubber served as a grip, and all the plastic kept the form and shape of the toothbrush.

What is the estimated cost of the product? According to Wordpress. com it costs about 65 cents to make an electric toothbrush. Nwsource. com also says it would cost 65 cents to manufacture an electric toothbrush.

Sources • • • Wordpress. com Nwsource. com Amazon. com National Geographic Stelray. com