Akibah is a start-up health company. It saw a need to streamline how diabetics carry the Glucose Meter, Lancing Device, and extra Lances needles needed to manage their blood sugar levels. Many Glucose Meters have apps that collect and transfer a diabetic’s daily readings using a mobile device such as a smartphone. A diabetic may take up to four readings per day. Akibah inspiration partially came from Otto’s Universal Case. This case attaches to a smartphone, adding shock absorption and a docking feature on the back to accept specially designed attachments. Akibah wanted a case to house a Glucose Meter, balancing device, and extra Lances.
Coming to Shiozaki Design with a prototype Akibah felt was 80% completed and asked Shiozaki Design to refine the industrial design. It was also stated that 250 units are required to meet introduction production orders. Akibah team felt that 3D printing technology could produce these units.
After carefully evaluating the design, Shiozaki Design pointed out several areas that could be improved. Several ID concepts were created to demonstrate those areas that could be improved. Akibah agreed and selected one ID concept, which was developed into 3D-printed prototypes.
The improvements from the previous design are:
• The layout of the components faces the user when the tray is pulled out.
• The components are held in with vinyl that also acts as a damping material.
• The Tray is locked into place with living latches, which act as grips to pull the Tray out.
• The components are held firmly in the Tray, which is held firmly in the protective Case attached to the Otto’s Universal Case.
Akibah, being a new company without a formal engineering department, Shiozaki Design stepped in to turn the industrial design concept into plastic part designs, being responsible for product design and vendor management. Shiozaki Design worked with different vendors to prototype, test, and refine the parts, seeing them in production. Shiozaki Design designed a fixture to apply the dipped vinyl as part of the manufacturing process.
Responsibilities: Industrial Design, Product Design, 2D Documentation numbering system, and vendor management
Material: PC resin and dipped vinyl
