Teardown:A calculator

#Jingting He

This is a calculator. Is there anyone doesn’t know what is a calculator? No? Ok, let’s tear down it!

1

First, I tried to twist off the screws and tear down its plastic back cover. I used a screwdriver and my hands to do that. Let’s see what’s in it.

2

LCD. There will be some pattern on it while you press.

Battery.

Wire, which connect the processor and the battery.

Keyboard. I guess the black piece under every button can be a resistance. When you press different buttons, the touch-sensitive key pad will form different circuits. Therefore we can track the data.3

 

A “solar panel”, actually is a plastic ornament. At first I guessed it to be a solar panel, but there’s no wire connected to that. So it may just be a fake one. (Aha, for the calculator I bought was the cheapest one!)

8

Processor. I guess there’s something in it by looking at the shape.

4

After burning the black part, I can easily use a knife to cut it and found a chip in it! (Awesome!)

5

Some small Parts. Sponge for support and some screws.

6

A family portrait ^_^

7

Materials & Manufacture Process:

Cover: ABS plastic/injection molduled

Button: ABS plastic/injection molduled

Printed circuit board: prepreg, copper/Patch etching resist

Nail: stainless steel/thread rolling

LCD screeen: liquid crystal/multiple process

Wire: plastic, copper, aluminum / injection mulduled

Battery: Zinc, Manganese, stainless steel, nylon/Multiple process

 

As for the most interesting part, the first one I think is the fake solar panel. I laughed for a long time, as the way to save manufacturing cost is so smart. Actually I’ve never thought about that there is a solar panel in a calculator, but a battery, as a battery is enough for using.

The printed circuit board is also interesting. It is so thin, which subverted the image of printed circuit board in my heart. I suppose the reason may also be saving cost.

And at last, I think I should tell you the price of my calculator. $1.99 ^_^

Hi, I’m Jingting.

1326613542

 

Hi, I’m Jingting He from China.

What I really love to do is changing my career (I spent all my 22-years life doing that!). I was a well-know young writer and poet in China when I was a teenager. Then I got my bachelor’s degree in engineering area while I worked as an aromatheropist & a rock band drummer for three years. Now I’m really excited to be a designer soon later!

I’m curious all about the world, the nature, and people around me. I really love new knowledge, new experience and new food I’ve never taste before. And wish we can have a nice experience enjoying this class!