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Alan Johnson
ENGR 181
12/5/2015
Power Flame Ethical Analysis
Introduction
People in developing communities around the world own cell phones
but dont have a reliable source of electricity in their homes. Currently the
only solution is for these people to travel far distances into town and ask or
pay a shop owner to charge their cell phone. We aim to create a standalone
product that will harness the wasted energy from open cooking fires to
charge a cell phone, which will save these people time and money. Cell
phones are mainly used in these developing areas to foster economic growth
by allowing people to communicate about market prices and make
micropayments. If these people were able to always have a cell phone with a
charge, it could help boost the speed at which these areas are able to
develop.
Anytime a new product or device is being designed, potential safety
risks, and ethical issues will always be something that needs to be
addressed. Since Power Flame is being designed to help people in relief
efforts and developing countries safety is the most important issue than
other ethical issues. Power Flame will have safety issues related to the
manufacture, assembly, testing/operation, display, storage, and disposal of
the device. It is very important to plan out every portion of the design
process to ensure that we are aware of all potential safety issues related to
the project. This planning process is critical to success of the project and our
personal safety so its imperative that we thoroughly analyze all safety
concerns regarding Power Flame.
Customer level Safety Issues
Issue
Burning hazard
Fan cutting hazard
Electrocution hazard
Sharp edges
Wrong implementation

Action
-Safe design with properly insulated
handle for transport
-Clearly labeled hot areas
-Fan blade guard implementation
-Clearly label the hazard
-Insulate and enclose electronics to
prevent electrical shock
-Grind off sharp edges
-Clear Instructions on use and safe
environmental disposal of product

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Production Level Safety Issues

Issue
Electrical housing manufacturing
hazard
Legal Documentation

Electrical Manufacturing Hazard

Action
-Certified technicians to run milling
and cutting machines
-Clear B.O.M (build of materials) and
assembly instructions
-All paperwork and federal laws
should be followed on the United
states standard.
-Additional paperwork should be
filled for countries that the device is
being distributed in
-Certified or trained technicians for
electrical assembly
-Safe and grounded work
environment
-Electrical testing stations to insure
there is no dangerous failures that
could happen
-Clear B.O.M and assembly
instructions

Team Ethical Issues

Issue
Work Distribution

Plagiarism
Disagreements

Action
-Use Gantt chart to organizes and
distribute jobs
-Assign teammates to specific tasks
that they are most qualified for
-Clearly designate what teammate
did each part and have signatures
going along with each section
-Weekly meetings to go over
disagreements
-Clearly layout pros and cons of
each disagreements to come up
with a general consensus that solves
the disagreement