Traditional Indian handmade shoes or "mojdi" as it is called is made by hand by artisans using very basic tools. The process is very labor intensive, due to lack of proper protections or regulations often not safe and work environment does not follow basic requirements for ergonomics and safety.

This project aimed at making lives of artisans easy by reducing manual burden in the most cost effective way possible.

Design processes follows the users and their needs, needs of their employer, environment of work (usually electricity is not available or there are frequent power cuts therefore any electrically operated machine was not suitable so a manual machine was designed)

Initial detailing and concept creation for problem solution

Manufacturing and fabrication of machine and assembly of the final full scale, full function prototype. Fabrication of prototype goes through 16 different engineering fabrication processes and several measurement and testing in between.

Many engineering tools were used through the design process: SolidWorks, MD Nastran, ADAMS, PS, AutoCAD

Powder coated frame - red, off white powder coated table, base

Chrome plated main mast assembly

Blackened mechanism assembly

Material: Mild steel main assembly, brass bushings, tool grate high carbon steel tool tip

Frame was designed to subtly reflect the shape of the mojdi while meeting all mechanical attachment points and adding dynamism to the overall feel of the product. Texture of all the surfaces in direct and frequent hand touch were selected to be power coated for smooth feel and also handle the operational wear and tear.

See attached presentation for more details into design process