Rahtio - The Reimagined Sledgehammer

LS & JI, Rahtio Sketch. 2016

In the first unit of Design and Engineering, we learned all about tools and their physics. We also studied simple machines such as the wedge. the inclined plane, and the lever. To further our knowledge on these subjects, we went on a field experience to Home Depot to talk to the expert gardeners. For this Action Project, we were asked to pick a tool and with a partner, redesign it for the elderly. What was especially important in doing this was having empathy. Using empathy while making our designs allowed us to step in the shoes of those who would use our product to better the final product. For my project, I decided to improve the sledgehammer for easier and more comfortable use.

For our external investigation, we conducted an interview with a gardener to help broaden our knowledge and gather opinions on tools. My interview was with my Italian grandmother, who is an avid gardener but doesn't speak very good English.  My interview mainly focused on what tools she used and what she liked and didn't like about them. What I learned was that she likes tools that are versatile and easy to use. One thing she said specifically was: “My favorite tools are the ones I can understand easiest.” This drove our design by pushing us to add the moving grip for more comfort. 

After our FE to Home Depot and before we created our initial idea, I did some research on some different kinds of sledgehammers and their uses. I decided to analyze 3 of the hammers we saw on our trip. A smaller/lighter one, one with an innovation such as the head having a + pattern, and a standard/basic one. After looking at all of these it’s pretty obvious that none really have any huge innovation that would allow a senior to use it easily. For the most part, they’re all just weights connected to bars. This research really helped in our decision as to how we were going to innovate the sledgehammer. Our biggest focuses were achieving comfort, balance, and power simultaneously. You will not find this combination of features on any other hammer because nobody else really has a reason to design a tool like the sledgehammer for the elderly.

LS & JI, Rahtio Forces. 2016

The photo above shows the way the force of the hammer would go. The force would only go one side a time; the top being a larger force because of the weight, and the bottom being smaller because your hands are only leading it. This hammer is most similar to a lever because you could add a fulcrum to the handle and gain and lose leverage as you lengthened the handle or moved your hand closer to the head.

To practice some of the math concepts we learned this unit, I calculated the approximate volume and surface area for the head of the sledgehammer:
height=15
diameter=8
V=753.98 cm^3
SA= 477.52 cm^2

Works Cited

Angela Pompeo. (9/18/16) Phone call interview.