Purdue Hammer Stand
Role:
Lead Designer, Lead Manufacturer
Organization:
Purdue Sophomore Design Class
Dates of Involvement:
Spring 2025
Relevant Skills:
-
Solidworks CAD
-
Design for Manufacturing
-
Aesthetic Design
-
CNC Milling
-
Laser Cutting
Overall Summary
This project involved designing and prototyping a mass-manufacturable display stand for the Purdue Mechanical Engineering hammer. As part of a pilot design course, my team was challenged to develop a stand that could be produced efficiently and affordably for future students. The design had to meet several constraints, including a limited budget, use of Purdue’s manufacturing facilities, rapid production, and an aesthetic that incorporated Purdue spirit through elements such as the university logo and a miniature fountain.
Design for Manufacture
Design for Manufacture was a central consideration throughout the project, with each component selected and designed around efficient and cost-effective production. The final stand combined several manufacturing processes:
-
Base: Walnut was machined, planed, and stained to create a durable and polished foundation.
-
Stand Structure: Sheet metal was laser cut, bent, and riveted into its final form.
-
Clock: A clock was integrated into the center of the stand to add practical functionality.
-
Custom Elements: The nameplate and miniature fountain were manufactured using CNC milling and turning.
Takeaway
This project gave me hands-on experience taking a product from an initial concept through design, iteration, and fabrication. I developed a stronger understanding of how material selection and manufacturing processes influence cost and production efficiency, while learning to balance aesthetic goals with practical constraints. Most importantly, the project reinforced the value of iterative design and demonstrated how theoretical design principles can be applied using real manufacturing processes and university resources.
Design Iteration
The final hammer stand was developed through several rounds of design iteration. Our initial concept used a railroad-inspired aesthetic to emphasize Purdue’s history and identity, but the design proved too complex for efficient mass production and too large for typical display spaces. We subsequently explored several more minimalist concepts, refining the proportions, structural elements, and decorative features with each iteration. This process required balancing visual appeal with manufacturing constraints until we arrived at a design that was both practical to produce and appropriate for display.
