PIN-N-PULL SYSTEM
PIN-N-PULL SYSTEM
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN PROJECT
Spring 2025
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN PROJECT
Spring 2025
Engineering Requirements, CAD, Prototyping, User-Centered Design, 3D Printing
Engineering Requirements, CAD, Prototyping, User-Centered Design, 3D Printing
SUMMARY
In my Engineering Design class, I worked with a team of two other students to build an assistive design tool that our client, Natalie Fierce, could use to adjust the pins on her pinboard. Natalie is a YouTube personality with cerebral palsy, and this project focused on giving Natalie a more comfortable and autonomous way to use her board.
For this project, we created the Pin-N-Pull system, where our goal was to create a tool that could be an extension of her current process, while being sturdy and simple to understand.
In my Engineering Design class, I worked with a team of two other students to build an assistive design tool that our client, Natalie Fierce, could use to adjust the pins on her pinboard. Natalie is a YouTube personality with cerebral palsy, and this project focused on giving Natalie a more comfortable and autonomous way to use her board.
In my Engineering Design class, I worked with a team of two other students to build an assistive design tool that our client, Natalie Fierce, could use to adjust the pins on her pinboard. Natalie is a YouTube personality with cerebral palsy, and this project focused on giving Natalie a more comfortable and autonomous way to use her board.
Two wooden prototypes of tray design
My main responsibilities were to catalogue user needs and engineering requirements. During the fabrication process, I created the CAD for both parts, fabricated the pin tray, and handled the prototype creation. Throughout the design process, I strove to experiment with a wide range of ideas, centering on our core values of safety, ease of use, and autonomy.
For this project, we created the Pin-N-Pull system, where our goal was to create a tool that could be an extension of her current process, while being sturdy and simple to understand.
My main responsibilities were to catalogue user needs and engineering requirements. During the fabrication process, I created the CAD for both parts, fabricated the pin tray, and handled the prototype creation. Throughout the design process, I strove to experiment with a wide range of ideas, centering on our core values of safety, ease of use, and autonomy.
For this project, we created the Pin-N-Pull system, where our goal was to create a tool that could be an extension of her current process, while being sturdy and simple to understand.
My main responsibilities were to catalogue user needs and engineering requirements. During the fabrication process, I created the CAD for both parts, fabricated the pin tray, and handled the prototype creation. Throughout the design process, I strove to experiment with a wide range of ideas, centering on our core values of safety, ease of use, and autonomy.
For this project, we created the Pin-N-Pull system, where our goal was to create a tool that could be an extension of her current process, while being sturdy and simple to understand.
My main responsibilities were to catalogue user needs and engineering requirements. During the fabrication process, I created the CAD for both parts, fabricated the pin tray, and handled the prototype creation. Throughout the design process, I strove to experiment with a wide range of ideas, centering on our core values of safety, ease of use, and autonomy.
A pin adjustment design sent to Natalie for review
A pin adjustment design sent to Natalie for review
IDEATION
Working with my group, we performed market research and iterated through multiple varying design sketches, ranging from handheld tools to drop down boards.
After receiveing feeback from Natalie, we went back and adjusted our designs. In the end, we landed on a two-piece tool set with one to remove and one to place the pins. Using the user needs matrix, we were able to select designs that we felt would be the most universal for pin types while maintaining safety and comfort.
Working with my group, we performed market research and iterated through multiple varying design sketches, ranging from handheld tools to drop down boards.
After receiveing feeback from Natalie, we went back and adjusted our designs. In the end, we landed on a two-piece tool set with one to remove and one to place the pins. Using the user needs matrix, we were able to select designs that we felt would be the most universal for pin types while maintaining safety and comfort.
CAD AND FABRICATION
I created CAD mock ups of both products in Onshape for better visualization of dimensions, and then took these designs and created our initial prototypes.
For the tray, I laser cut prototypes, tweaking the design and adjusting things like wall pitch, tray depth, and adding and removing grooves. From these wooden mockups, I designed a 3d printed version with rounded edges, rubber feet and foam runners.
I created CAD mock ups of both products in Onshape for better visualization of dimensions, and then took these designs and created our initial prototypes.
For the tray, I laser cut prototypes, tweaking the design and adjusting things like wall pitch, tray depth, and adding and removing grooves. From these wooden mockups, I designed a 3d printed version with rounded edges, rubber feet and foam runners.
For the handheld piece, I created multiple 3D mockups, adjusting the height, slope and playing around with additional features before creating the final laser cut prototype. For this prototype, we specifically modified the handle to allow for a precise amount of leverage to keep the pin from flying off and potentially injuring Natalie or a 3rd party.
First draft CAD prototypes made in OnShape
First draft CAD prototypes made in OnShape
Final draft CAD prototypes made in OnShape
Final draft CAD prototypes made in OnShape
For the handheld piece, I created multiple 3D mockups, adjusting the height, slope and playing around with additional features before creating the final laser cut prototype. For this prototype, we specifically modified the handle to allow for a precise amount of leverage to keep the pin from flying off and potentially injuring Natalie or a 3rd party.
For the handheld piece, I created multiple 3D mockups, adjusting the height, slope and playing around with additional features before creating the final laser cut prototype. For this prototype, we specifically modified the handle to allow for a precise amount of leverage to keep the pin from flying off and potentially injuring Natalie or a 3rd party.
FINAL PRODUCT
The final submission included the 3D printed placement tray and the foam and acrylic pin remover. A few features are displayed labeled in the image below:
The final submission included the 3D printed placement tray and the foam and acrylic pin remover. A few features are displayed labeled in the image below:
Final submission with key features labelled
Key Features:
Soft foam grip for easy handling
Low profile to minimize lifting
Sloped prongs to slot under pin
Feet to grip on pin board surface
Orienting dock where pin can be rotated to correct position and pushed into board
Guiding walls that can be used to lead pin to orienting dock
Guiding track to handle pin top while being pushed to dock
Key Features:
Soft foam grip for easy handling
Low profile to minimize lifting
Sloped prongs to slot under pin
Feet to grip on pin board surface
Orienting dock where pin can be rotated to correct position and pushed into board
Guiding walls that can be used to lead pin to orienting dock
Guiding track to handle pin top while being pushed to dock
After presenting, the prototype was shipped to Natalie, along with a user testing guide and instructions, where we were able to receive feedback. The final submission and poster are linked below:
After presenting, the prototype was shipped to Natalie, along with a user testing guide and instructions, where we were able to receive feedback. The final submission and poster are linked below:
After presenting, the prototype was shipped to Natalie, along with a user testing guide and instructions, where we were able to receive feedback. The final submission and poster are linked below:
After presenting, the prototype was shipped to Natalie, along with a user testing guide and instructions, where we were able to receive feedback. The final submission and poster are linked below:
