Discrete Concealed Device Table
by: Shyne McKay
Testing Methods
The table was made to make the outside look like a normal wood coffee table. The main point of this project was making the table discrete. To the naked eye, one should not be able to see that it opens and holds devices. The device holders are made to secure in a manner that a child would not be able to operate. The force required is higher than what a young child could provide. After the construction of the table, multiple tests were preformed to make sure the table operates and meets all the requirements. The first test is to see how much force it takes to open the table to a 90 degree angle. The second test that was done was to see how much force it takes to remove a device from one of the spring operated holders. The third test was seeing how long it takes (seconds) to fully operate the table. This means unlocking the table, opening, removing a device, and preparing said device.
Testing Issues
One of the main issues that came about during the testing was getting an accurate reading during the first test. Originally, the first test was the force to open the table and the amount of time it took. After multiple false readings, the idea came to separate the time and the force into separate tests. Now there is a third test that calculates how much time it takes to operate the table. This includes opening the locked table, removing a device and preparing said device. Doing this allowed there to be a more accurate form of readings because only one unit was being testing (seconds).
RESULTS
The requirements for this table were to have the table be able to open using less then 10lbs. The highest that was used came to be 8lbs. The table also had to have device holders that would not operate unless more then 20lbs of force was applied. The holders operated at the lowest of 31lbs. The table was timed to make sure that it would be operated in a quick manner. Averaging 9.1 seconds. Overall, the table meets all the requirements and operates in perfect conditions.
Overall, the table came out to be a huge success. The table meets the new requirements and is fully functioning. Over the course of the project there was a lot of design changes, but with out them, the table would not be standing how it is.