A Better Version of Microsoft Wireless Mouse
Anisa Haxhi
ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering
Professor Crystal Rodwell
May 16th , 2021
Introduction
Microsoft Wireless Mouse 4000 Model 1383 is considered as one of the best mice overall, but this doesn’t mean that it is perfect. It has a unique space at the bottom of the mouse, so the user can put the Nano Transceiver when they are done using the mouse. Another features that this mouse has that other wireless mice don’t have is the battery status indicator. Users love this. They use the mouse, who knows for how long, and when the battery is almost over, the battery status indicator lets you know by changing the light to red color, and it turns on and off continuously. However, for some users, this is not enough. They do not find this feature very effective because the light is not visible enough. The purpose of modifying this mouse is to make the light more visible, which will make this mouse the perfect one for every user.
Why Microsoft Wireless Mouse is not perfect yet?
Some users find the battery status indicator is not very effective for three main reasons: first, it is located on top of the mouse, so when the user is using the mouse, they don’t see the light; secondly, the light bulb is very small, so it is not very visible even when there is nothing covering the mouse; lastly, the material on top is opaque black plastic, which prevents most of the light from going through. The two changes that are planned are small but will make a big difference.
Proposed modifications
The first change will be the light bulb. The current light bulb has a diameter of 0.08 inches (2mm). The light bulb will be changed to a bigger one which will have a diameter of 0.118 inches (3 mm). The cost for this change will be extremely low. This light bulb will come just in one color (red) and will only turn on when the battery is dying. The wavelength of this light bulb is 620nm- 650nm, the brightness is 1000-1200 mcd and the viewing angle is 30 degrees and 2.0 voltage.
The second change is going to be on top of the mouse. The current part is black plastic. I am going to change is to transparent acrylic. It will be transparent because the surface for the light to go through will be bigger and acrylic is a strong material, so even if the user accidentally drops the mouse, the material on top will not break. The dimension of the current part 2.4 inches by 0.5 inches (6.1 cm by 1.27 cm) and it is 0.16 inches (0.4 cm) thick. The sheet that will be used is 5.1 inches by 5.9 inches, and 0.16 inches thick.
The mouse has a rounded shape on top, which means that even the part that will be replaced is going to be rounded. To give the acrylic sheet a round shape it is very easy. All that is needed is a heating source, which might also be a candle. The heat will warm up the acrylic sheet and it will be very easy to give the sheet the shape that is needed for the product.Also, since the sheet is very thick (0.16 inches) cutting it to the needed dimensions will be easy too. A scoring blade is the only thing that can help to do this process.
To stick the acrylic part with the other part of the mouse a strong glue, Loctite Super Glue Gel 2-Gram Tube, will be used.
Cost for materials
On Amazon, a package of 100 light bulbs costs $5.78. This means that one light bulb will cost $0.06. The package for the acrylic sheets comes with 4 of them for $14.99, so one acrylic sheet will cost $3.75. The acrylic sheets are 5.1 inches (130 mm) by 5.9 inches (15mm), and they are 0.16 inches (4mm) thick. There will be no cut about the thickens of the sheet because it fits the place that will be replaced perfectly. The area of the part that will be replaces is 2.4 inches by 0.5 inches. This means that the same acrylic sheet can be used at least two times. So, per one mouse, the cost for acrylic sheet will be $1.88. The scoring blade costs $9.99. Assuming that it will be used 200 times, it means that per one mouse, the scoring blade will cost $0.05. The glue costs $4.82. Assuming that the same bottle of glue will be used 50 times, the glue used per one mouse will cost $0.10. So, the total amount of money spend for the modifications per one mouse will cost $2.09.
The mouse itself costs $18.99. After doing the changes, the cost of the mouse will increase to $21.08. If the product will be sold for $25.00, the profit from this innovation per one mouse will be $3.92.
Conclusion
To sum up, a little cost for materials per one mouse will make a big change and users will consider this as the best mouse for overall use. People will love the new mouse and the profit will be very reasonable.
Resources
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