Design of a smoke solution for professional use

Design of a smoke solution for professional use

Nabuurs, B.

Jepma, E.J. (mentor)
Jacobs, J.J. (mentor)

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

2009-10-02

Since 1990 a smoke free working environment is compulsory at institutions, since 2004 on the work floor in general and since 2008 in the catering industry. This graduation project describes the development of a smoke solution to be used at companies, events and in the catering industry. The project is executed for Neptunus structures, a company that develops, manufactures and rents out temporary structures of superior quality for the event and business market. Neptunus is first in the development of new technologies, which makes them market leader in the top segment, where many competitors are active. In this market many trends can be noticed. A growing need for flexible housing, more restrictions for semi-permanent solutions, a stagnating event market and growing market for semi-permanent structures are most important for Neptunus. In the market of smoke solutions small tents and permanent smoke cabins are the biggest competition, but most of these solutions are not very comfortable. Only few bars offer a smoke solution. Bar owners state that this solution increases their income. Often bars and restaurants without smoke solutions do not offer these solutions out of a lack of space, money and sometimes interests. Although customers say their choice of bar does not depend on an available smoke solution, they do tend to end up in a bar where a smoke solution is present or smoking is still allowed. For this situation a half open shelter or a closed smoke solution can be developed. People will walk in and out all night or permanently stay in the smoke solution during their visit. With alcohol consumption unintended usage will be an important problem, therefore some kind of openness has to make it easier for bar owners to keep an eye on the customers using the solution. Smoke solutions can be found at institutions and companies, but there are still many employees without that luxury. Reasons are similar to those in the catering industry, but sometimes it is a question of principle. At events an additional tent to function as smoke solution can be placed almost effortless. However, this is not seen very often. For companies and events the smoke solution will be mostly used for short periods in time and rush hours during brakes. At companies there will be more peer pressure, thus less unintended usage. Depending on what kind of event, a music festival or a polo game, the usage will be similar as in the catering industry and at companies. Managers are willing to pay approximately €1500,- for a possible smoke solution. In the concept generation phase a brainstorm session has led to several product categories, for instance material, storage & assembly and existing shelters. These categories are used as guidelines to search images which serve as inspiration to start the idea sketching. Furthermore a process tree of the total life cycle, from production to dismissal of the smoke solution is drawn up. From this process tree a list of demands and wishes for the smoke solution in the catering industry and at companies and events has been concluded. The smoke solution has to fulfill all demands and as much wishes as possible for both the catering industry and companies and events since the final smoke solution has to be applicable in all environments. Design criteria are formulated to evaluate all concepts, for instance does it fit the Neptunus’ portfolio and is it better than current smoke solutions. Finally this analysis has led to 3 concepts of which one, The Smoke Dome, is chosen and elaborated in the detailing phase.

tent
smoking

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d8da565f-adc8-4a21-8d22-cbcce5f028c5

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2009 Nabuurs, B.