I recently inherited a Smeg dual oven cooker that needed new bulbs. I thought this would be a fairly simple job, but I was wrong. The bulbs were tucked up in the top left-hand corner behind a screwed glass cover and protected by the element and the thermostat.
Since they had been in place for some time, they were stuck. After removing the oven door and lying on the floor to get in a position that enabled me to get a good grip, I managed to unscrew one but failed with the other. With a slip wrench and a piece of cloth to protect the glass, I managed with difficulty to gain access.
I cracked the glass, but I was able to remove the ring of glass still in the threaded holder. After much frustration, I contacted the service department and ordered a new assembly (you can't just buy the glass). A week later it arrived. I unpacked the unit and was ready to pop the new glass on.
It turned out I couldn't unscrew the glass from the new holder, even with full access and a good grip; it was too tight. So with the help of the trusted slip wrench and a pair of mole grips, I managed to separate the two parts and put the new glass in the oven. In the few moments I had to examine the lamp assembly, it appeared that when the glass is fully screwed home, a lock mechanism snaps in that is similar to a star washer. That’s OK for nuts, but not for this.
This entry was submitted by Andrew Tiscali and edited by Rob Spiegel.
Tell us your experiences with Monkey-designed products. Send stories to Rob Spiegel for Made by Monkeys.
I suppose it would be politically correct to simply agree that this is a horrible design, but honestly, it isn't so bad.
The editor should make sure that terms used in these articles are generally understood by readers. What, exactly, is a "slip wrench?" This could mean many different tools. If I can't Google "slip wrench" and receive an unambiguous description of the tool, then it requires further definition. The right tool probably would have been a pair of channel-lock pliers with rubber-covered jaws, or a strap wrench, such as the type we stupid Americans sometimes use to remove oil filters from car engines, but in this case, a version with rubber-covered strap should be used.
At first, I didn't know what a "Mole grip" is. I now know that it is what we foolish Americans call "Vise-Grip pliers," or "Locking pliers." Mole is the name of a manufacturer.
I can understand that bulbs and covers that have been in an oven for years are hard to free. A little light lubrication, used sparingly and with care to avoid a fire, is helpful.
Another complaint regarding these "Made by Monkeys" posts is that suggestions for product improvement should be required as part of the article, unless it is obvious how the product could have been improved (by proper assembly, for example, when a manufacturer didn't follow its own assembly instructions).
What are some ideas for better design of the oven light in this case? It doesn't look like such a bad design to me, but I am not very creative.
The word "smeg" is used as an expletive in the British sci-fi program "Red Dwarf". Apparently the writers on the program have had to replace the lights in their ovens as well...
Evidently, the designer of this component did not read the Design For Disassembly articles printed on this sight, or the manufacturer decided that a broken component after disassembly was not a big deal as it required the sale of a spare part set to fix the issue.
I agree, Rob. There should be a Made by Monkeys Hall of Fame and this one should be in the starting lineup. The responsibility comes right back to the designer.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
0 
