Design for Manufacture and Assembly
Screwdriver Casing
UNIQUE PROTRUSIONS/SLOTS AROUND PERIMETER OF CASING
The orange casing contains many unique slots and protrusions to ensure that the casing only goes on one way. In addition, the protrusions and slots also ensure that the screw holes will be perfectly aligned, ready for screws to be fastened. This is a good design for manufacturing and assembly because it is a very cheap way to alter a design to provide a near perfect fit.
Screwdriver Switch
Another example of "mistake-proofing" the Black and Decker screwdriver is the presence of a keyed slot at top of the switch. This keyed slot ensures that the switch piece connects to the switch mechanism in one way. There is no other way to make it fit, which greatly reduces the amount of error in assembly.
KEYED SLOT
Gearbox Housing
UNIQUE GROOVES
UNIQUE SLOTS
There are many instances of unique slots when disassembling and reassembling the screwdriver. The gearbox utilizes these slots to make sure that it slides together without mistake. The prevalence of the slots also helps lock the bodies together, so they won't rotate with respect to each other. Also, since the gearbox only fit stogether one way, it reduces complications during manufacturing down the road, reducing costs.