Functional Prototype Design for a Programmable Equipment in Personalized Football Training

Abstract

AbstractAssembly and testing are the last stages in the design phase to obtain proof of concept for a certain product. Although it is time and cost consuming, assembly fit and test are crucial for the future development of any complex product, unveiling potential consequences in the future product life cycle. The current paper addresses the main assembly stages, testing strategies, feedback implementation, and redesign decisions involved in the development of a programmable equipment in personalized football training. Demountable subassemblies are used for the manufacture of the final prototype, encouraging interchangeability of parts, and modularity of the final product. Coupling, gear, key, and bearing assemblies are mainly used to physically obtain the programmable equipment prototype. Since some components are bespoke and are 3D printed specifically for this product, fit tests are undertaken to ensure proper functioning of all mechanical and electronic components. Software and electronic testing are also done to both calibrate and ensure proper code functioning. Optimization of the prototype is implemented in all three main systems that make up the personalized football training equipment: mechanical, electronic, and software. The optimized functional prototype of the equipment will be subjected to endurance tests in order to evaluate the life expectancy of individual components, subassemblies, and, finally, of the general product.