Improving desktop FDM 3D printer by user-centered design

Abstract

3D printing technology has been receiving more attention in the last decade since it was invented in the 1980s. This trend is especially obvious among desktop FDM 3D printers due to the contribution of the RepRap project. However, there are voices claiming that the undesirable user experience of these desktop machines caused users to believe that 3D printers are just professional toys, instead of a tool. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the needs of users in order to make desktop FDM 3D printers become meaningful equipment. This is the main focus of the thesis.

The main research question of the thesis addresses how User-Centered Design can be used to make the entry-level FDM 3D printer become a useful tool that improves the work efficiency of architects. Besides, the secondary research question is to explore how UCD should be located in the startup business.

In order to fulfill the mentioned tasks, this thesis, on one hand, describes the product development process of the 3D printer project. The project consisted of three phases. The first stage was to define the target consumers and the user requirements, in which I followed UCD methodology, using interview, fieldwork observation and online research to understand their needs and pain points about using 3D printers. The second stage of the project was to come up with solutions and to design the product. I carried out the benchmarking about the existing products and designed the hardware features with my teammates. The last phase was about six-months piloting with five architecture firms in Helsinki. We made 10 prototypes for this pilot and the constant feedback given by clients enabled us to finalize the prototypes. Meanwhile, this pilot also empowered architects to realize that 3D printers are a useful tool that benefits their work.

At the same time, by documenting each stage of the development of the project, the thesis also reflects the mistakes and insufficiencies that happened in this project. At the end of the thesis, the author discusses what would be other possible results of the project if UCD could be applied in a different order.

At the end of the thesis, conclusions are drawn and answers to its research questions are provided. To start with, interacting with users throughout the entire product development process and understanding the requirements of both the general users and the target users are two essential factors that enabled the project to achieve its goal successfully. In addition, it is important that startup companies should place the user research and customer development on the same level. UCD should not be limited by the frame defined by customer development. An inclusive UCD plays a vital role in the success of the startup business.