IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPUTER TABLE

Ahasan Habib1, Ghazi Abu Taher2, Moumita Saha3
1

Lecturer, Industrial Engineering & Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh,
[email protected]
2, 3 rd
3 year Student, BSC, Industrial Engineering & Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology,
Khulna, Bangladesh, [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract
In this paper simple design has obtained to reduce the cost and space of computer table. Our product multifunctional computer table
is a combine form of projector table, computer table, reading and writing table. This table can be made by using different types of
materials. We have discussed all the steps of making this product. We have also discussed all the steps of making this product. We
have also discussed the economic calculation and customers need. We have done a lot of surveys and included the survey chart. After
doing all this, we think that this product will be a real market capturing product.

Keywords: Multifunctional computer table and its parts, Features of multifunctional computer table, Mission statement,
Capturing the Voice of customer, House of quality(HOQ) of multifunctional computer table, Fishbone diagrams,
Concept selection, Screening process, Scoring process, Bill of material, Break-even point
----------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION:
The computer desk and related ergonomic desk are furniture
pieces designed to comfortably and aesthetically provide a
working surface and house or conceal office equipment
including computers, peripherals and cabling for office and
home-office users. The most common form of the computer
desk is a variant of the ergonomic desk, which has an
adjustable keyboard tray and sufficient desktop space for
handwriting. Provisions for a monitor shelf and holes for
routing cables are integrated in the design, making it easier to
connect the computer components together. The typical
armoire desk provides space for a keyboard, mouse, monitor,
printer and speakers. Cubicle desk designs for business and
government workplaces include a range of shelves, trays and
cable-routing holes for computer systems. In some computer
desks, the cabling is affixed to the modesty panel at the back
of the desk, to create a neater appearance.
There are a great variety of computer desk shapes and forms.
Large multi-student computer desks configured in rows are
designed to house dozens of computer systems while
facilitating wiring, general maintenance, theft prevention and
vandalism reduction. Small rolling lectern desks or computer
carts with tiny desktops provide just enough room for a laptop
computer and a mouse pad. Computer desks are typically
mass-produced and require some self-assembly. The
ergonomic desk is a modern desk form which, like the
adjustable drawing table or drafting table, offers mechanical
adjustments for the placement of its elements in order to
maximize user comfort and efficiency. The ergonomic desk is

usually a "stand-alone" piece of furniture allowing access to

the adjustment mechanisms. Some ergonomic desks have a
sufficiently large desktop height adjustment to create either a
common "sit-down" desk or a less common standing desk,
which allows the user to work while standing.
Our product Multifunctional Computer Table provides both
computer desk facility and ergonomic desk facility. There is
no need of extra table and spend extra money for obtaining
both facility at a time.

2. MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPUTER TABLE

AND ITS PARTS
Our product is a computer table in combination with reading
and writing facilities. Computer table is an existing product.
We modified it in some ways. We included some features that
increase its functional capacity. So our product holds in
derivatives of existing platform and incremental improvement
of existing product categories. We included some new parts
like a sliding upper portion where we put monitor of
computer, an external flat portion to write something when we
uses computer, a cabinet to keep the projector and a moveable
reflecting hole to project the projector, some drawers to keep
our essential goods and an drawers to keep our keyboard and
mouse. Our product includes some extra facilities that the
existing product in the market cant have those. Its fulfilled
the demand of time. In a word its a multifunctional
computer table.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

536

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

4. MISSION STATEMENT
While developing this product Multifunctional Computer
table, we have found a mission statement. That is added
belowTable- 1: Mission statement of Multifunctional computer
table.
Mission Statement: Multifunctional Computer Table
Computer table with reading
Product description
and writing facilities,
projector keeping facilities.
Multiple working functions in
Benefit Proposition
one table, saves money and
space.
Serve as platform for Office
Key Business Goals
equipment.
Can capture the market of
educational institutions; cover
Primary Market
the needs of family,
environmentally friendly.
Secondary Markets
Office equipment market.
New product platform, space
reducing thinking, all the
Assumptions and
components can be easily
Constraints
made by wood with the help
of carpenter.
Purchasers and users
manufacturing operations,
Stakeholders
service operations, distributors
and sellers.

Fig -1: Multifunctional computer table (front view and rear

view).

3.

FEATURES

OF

MULTIFUNCTIONAL

COMPUTER TABLE
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)

The computer table has good computer keeping

facilities.
The table has projector keeping space.
The table has extra drawers to keep important
documents.
The table has space to keep CDs.
The table has wheels to move it from one place
to another.
The table has extra part for writing and reading.
The table good space for keeping mouse and key
board.

This table has more features than a normal computer table.

Those features are
i
Computer table with reading facility.
ii
Projector chamber.
iii
Providing feasibility of using.
iv
Good ergonomics.
v
Space consuming.
vi
Cost reduction.

5.

CAPTURING

THE

VOICE

OF

THE

CUSTOMER
While finding the additional features we have met and
interviewed a lot of customers. We have gathered raw data
from them. They give statements, advices, and needs of their
interest, problems and much useful information. Analyzing all
the statements we have made a chart. We have also observed
the existing products. The chart is given belowTable- 2: customer data template filled in with sample
customer statements and interpreted needs.

Question/Prompt

Typical users

Customer
Statement
I need to keep
essential things
like pen, paper
etc.

Interpreted
Need
There is small
section under the
projector plot.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

537

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

The table should

be multiple
working
facilities.
I need to move it
easily.
I like the
projector keeping
facilities.
I like the writing
fact.

Likes

I like to keep the

CDs.
I need to keep
essential things
like pen, paper
etc.
The table should
be multiple
working
facilities.

Dislikes

The table
consumes the
space for
containing
multiple facilities.
The table has
wheels so that it
can move easily.
Dont need to buy
extra projector
table.
Dont need to buy
extra writing and
reading table.
Dont need to buy
extra CD rake.
There is small
section under the
projector plot.
The table
consumes the
space for
containing
multiple facilities.

Specificity

Positive
not
negative

An
attribute of
the
product

Avoid
must and
should

Suggested
improvements

I need to move it
easily.

The table has

wheels so that it
can move easily.

By interpreting the data in terms of customer needs we have

results and those are given belowTable- 3: comparing the customer statements with our
product.

Guide line

What
not how

Customer
statement
There is no
opportunity
for writing
and reading
in my
computer
table.

Need
Statement
Right

Need
Statement
Wrong

Our table has

both writing
and reading
facilities and
using
computer at
the same time.

This type of
table is
unavailable
in the
market.

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

I change
frequently
the location
of my
computer
table.

Our table has

wheels so that
we can move
it easily from
one place to
another.

The table is
not possible
to move
without
wheel.

I need
different
radii when I
use my
projector.

Our table has

enough
facilities for
the best use of
projector.

The table
has not
fewer
facilities for
the rotation
of projector
at different
angles.

I want to
keep my
CDs on my
computer
table.

A section has
been provided
to keep CDs.

Our table
has section
to keep
CDs.

Keyboard
and mouse
keeping
drawers
stuck
sometimes
and I hate it.

The drawers
are of sliding
type that avoid
stucking
problem.

The
drawers
should be
of sliding
type.

After that we have organized the needs into hierarchy and

established the relative importance of the product. After
organizing the needs we have got Use computer table as a reading table
i.
An LCD monitor is attached below the
folding part of the table.
ii. A safety clamp is used to hold the folding
part at the suitable position.
Save money and space
i.
Use same table as the purpose of reading,
writing and computer table.
Easy to move
i.
Number of wheels help for the movement of
the table.
Use as a projector table
i.
Using the projector increases the
professional activities.
ii.
Use the table for official purpose as well as
household product.
The writing trey can move

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

538

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

i.

The trey can be placed on the suitable

position when user wants to write
something.
Easy to set up and use
i.
User can use the table easily and
comfortably.
ii.
There is no complexity for using.
iii.
It is easy to turn on.
Safe to use
i.
The table is safe to use.
ii.
Wooden boards of the table are useful to
hold every component of computer.
Easy to store
i.
Wood of the table is noncorrosive.

The table looks like a professional quality product.

6. HOUSE OF QUALITY (HOQ) OF

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPUTER TABLE:
Once customer needs are identified, preparation of the product
planning matrix or "house of quality" can begin. Customer
needs or requirements are stated on the left side of the matrix.
These are organized by category based on the affinity
diagrams.

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

7. CONCEPT GENERATION OF
MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPUTER TABLE:
Everything is involved with different types of problem. We
have tried to find the problem of our product. Finding the
problem can solve the problems easily. For this process we
have adopted some ways. They are:

7.1 Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a process for developing creative
solutions of problem.
There indicate some problem on hinge, safety clamp,
wheel and wooden board.
Difficult to find suitable hinges which are
made of non-corrosive metal.
Difficult to find suitable safety clamp which
is made of non-corrosive metal.
Difficult to find suitable wheels which are
made of high quality polymer composite.
Wooden board creates imbibition problem.
There may be some complexity of projection
as the system is not feasible with the setup
of projector in the table.
By brainstorming, main problem is selected that mentioned
below:
The wheel might be broken for bearing excessive
load as the wood is heavy in weight.
Wooden board creates imbibition problem that occurs
corrosion on the metal attached in the table.
Wood that is used for manufacturing the table is
costly.
To avoid all these problems partex board can be used instead
of wooden board.

7.2 Scamper
Table-4: Scamper.

Chart-1: HOQ of Multifunctional computer table.

Substitute

Combine

Adapt

What can we substitute to

make an improvement?
We substitute partex
board instead of wooden
board.
What materials can we
combine?
We use non-ferrous metal
for hinge, safety clamp &
screw and use high
quality polymer
composite for wheel.
What part of the table
could we change?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

539

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

Modify

Put to Other
purpose

Eliminate

Reverse

The table has a separate

tray for writing.
What will happen if we
modify the table?
The table can be used for
multifunctional purpose.
Who else might be able to
use it?
The table can be used for
both domestic and official
purpose.
What would happen if we
removed a component?
The table cannot be
moved easily without
wheels.
What will happen if we
use the other way?
The table will lose its
utility.

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

the initial steps of brainstorming. This is necessary to get

specific decision to produce final product. We finally come to
the decision to use non-ferrous metallic components, high
quality polymer component and partex board.

7.7 Concept Classification Tree

Concept classification tree of Multifunctional computer table
is given below-

Figure-2: Concept classification tree.

7.3 Research

7.8 Concept Combination Table

By researching the problem is selected to the material

selection of the table.
If we use iron, corrosion would be occurred.
If we use high quality polymer which can increase
the strength of the wheel.
If we use partex board in the table there wouldnt
occur imbibition and ensure good appearance

Concept combination of Multifunctional computer table is

given below-

So we decided to use non-ferrous metal, high quality polymer

and partex board.

Hinge

Table-5: Concept combination table.

Main parts of
Computer table
Monitor
Keeping Board

Accessories

nuts and bolts

7.4 User Narrative

We made some instruction to follow and make advertisement
to create user and to make it easy for use and feel its
necessary. For that reason, we will maintain some step:
Provide guide book.
User manual.
Instruction for proper use when it is to buy.
Campaign and monitoring.

7.5 User Creation

We are working to produce MTB (make to buy) categorized
product. But we get the plan by MTE (make to engineering) to
adding special feature in our computer table. We are trying to
increase fusibility of existing product with extra facilities.

7.6 Description Recombination

It is a process of combining ideas observing or gaining the all
data from all individual members belongs the team for the
multifunctional computer table. We recombined our data from

Main Frame
Wheel

Screws

Application
To fold the
board
To join the
body
To support the
body
To move the
table

7.9 Brain Writing

We made a documentary form of our ideas obtained by brain
storming. We wrote all members ideas and plans to make our
product finally. We listed the ideas of designing of final
product, procedure to make true our desired product, market
taking steps etc.
o Complexity in hanging monitor in the table
By attaching clamp
By using hook
o Risk in folding system
By using safety clamp
Providing suitable space for
monitor on the table

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

540

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

7.10 Fishbone Diagram /Cause & Effect Diagram /

8. CONCEPT SELECTION

Root Cause Analysis

Concept selection is often performed in a two stages as way to

manage the complexity of evaluating dozens of product
concept. Each is supported by a decision matrix which is used
by the term to rate, rank and select the best concepts.

After analyzing we have got various causes and their effects

which might create problems in the production process. Here
are given some fishbone diagrams below-

8.1 Screening Process

This technique narrows the number of concepts quickly and
improves them. After screening the concepts we found the
rank which is given belowTable-6: Concept screening process.
Concepts
Table design
Wheel
Screw
Safety clamp
Quality of material
Folding facility
Multifunctional uses

Rank
1
2
2
4
4
6
6

8.2 Scoring Process

It is used for differentiate better resolution among competing
concepts. After scoring the concepts we found the rank which
is given belowTable-7: Concept scoring process.
Concepts
Multifunctional uses
Quality of material
Table design
Wheel
Folding facility
Safety clamp
Screw

Rank
1
2
3
4
5
5
7

Finally we decided to develop three features i.e.

multifunctional uses, quality of material and table design from
the combination of above table and these three features are
within our cost and manufacturing capability.

9. CONCEPT TESTING
We communicated the concept with the customer by verbal
description, sketch, photos and rendering, simulation, physical
appearance models etc. We made a storyboard for advertising
our product.
Figure-3: Fishbone diagram of Multifunctional computer
table.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

541

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

P is estimated in turn by,

P=Cdefinitly * Fdefinitely + Cprobably * Fprobably

Figure-4: Storyboard of our product.

Multifunctional computer table is sold to official, assume that

the multifunctional computer table is sold in market at a rate
of 15000/= units per year. Assume that the table through a
single distributor that accounts for 25 percent of the sales in
category. Assume that results from a concept test with factory
managers responsibly for purchasing transportation devices
indicate a definitely would buy fraction of 0.30 and probably
would buy fraction of 0.20. If we use a value of 0.40 for
Cdefinitly and 0.20 for Cprobably, then

We also made a working prototype.

P = (0.4*0.30) + (0.20*0.20) = 0.16
Q=15000*0.25*0.16=600 units/year

Figure-5: Working prototype of our product.

By surveying over the population we have taken smaller
sample size because of its simplicity. So from a huge
population we have taken a sample of small amount of
students and some officials among the large people using both
reading table and computer table in their house, offices and
other phenomenon. Often a product addresses multiple market
segments in such cases and accurate concept test requires that
potential customers from each target segment be surveyed.
Surveying every possible segment may be prohibitively
expensive in cost or time, and in such cases the team may
choose to survey potential customer from only the largest
segment.
Form these data to collect form potential customer and nonpotential customers that give the appropriate result to the
producers.
We estimate Q, the quantity of the product expected to be sold
during a time period, as

If the table is sold to all students, assume that the

multifunctional computer table is sold in market at a rate of
200000/= units per year. Assume that we sample students in
this second group that accounts for 30 percent of the sales in
category. Assume that results from a concept test with factory
managers responsibly for purchasing transportation devices
indicate a definitely would buy fraction of 0.10 and probably
would buy fraction of 0.05. If we use a value of 0.40 for
Cdefinitly and 0.20 for Cprobably, then
P = (0.4*0.10) + (0.20*0.05) = 0.05
Q = 200000 * 0.30 * 0.05 = 3000 units/year

10. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPUTER TABLE
This is the most important topic of product development
process. Without calculating the Bill Of Material (BOM) we
havent estimated the Break Even Point.

10.1 Bill of Material

Bill of material of Multifunctional computer table is given
belowTable-8: Bill of Material (BOM) of Multifunctional computer
table.

N=No. of potential customers expected to make purchases

during time period.
A=Fraction of these potential customers or purchasers for
which the product is available.
P=Probability that the product is purchased if available and if
customers is aware of it.

Item

Q=N*A*P

Descri
ption

Concept

Price
per
unit

Quantit
y

Price

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

542

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

1.

Partex
board

500

3000

(20mm
width)

2.

Hinge

35

105

3.

Wheel

150

600

4.

Screw

90

180

5.

Safety
clamp

230

460

6.

Assem
bly
cost

7.

Other
cost

In break-even point,
Total cost = Total sale

Ycost = Ysales
(4345 * X) + 5450000 = (7000 * X)

2655 * X = 5450000

X = 2052.73
= 2053

Chart-2: Break-even point of Multifunctional computer table.

1500

3600

54000
00

50000

Material cost = 3000+105+600+180+460 = 4345.

Fixed cost = Assembly cost + other cost = 5400000 + 50000 =
5450000.

10.2 Break-Even Point

Break-even (or break even) is the point of balance between
making either a profit or a loss. The term originates in finance,
but the concept has been applied widely since.
Break-even point of multifunctional computer table:
Total cost of product = (Material cost * no. of units) + Fixed
cost

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

Ycost = (4345 * X) + 5450000

So, the break-even point of our product is 2053. We get the

equivalence of cost and sales by selling 2053 pieces of tables.
If we can sell one table after 2053 pieces that will be our
profit. So, if we can sell all the tables around the year we will
make the profit of (3600 2053) = 1547 tables.

CONCLUSIONS
We have tried to present here the various stages of
development activity of our product. What we have exercised,
what we have thought and what we have planned to develop
our product for customer satisfaction have been briefly
discussed here because the main target of a business is to
make as much as profit. We, the team members believe that
our product will achieve a very strong position in this
competitive market; and we are very hopeful.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Hundreds of people contributed for making this product in
large and small ways. We are grateful to the many industrial
practitioners and customers who provided data, examples and
insights. We appreciate the assistance we have received from
numerous academic friends, research assistants and support
staff, from our sponsors. Indeed we could not have completed
this project without the cooperation and collaboration of our
honorable teachers. Thank you all.

Sales price of total product = (our sales rate * no. of units)

Ysales = (7000 * X)

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

543

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology

eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

REFERENCES
[1]. Karl T. Ulrich, Steven D. Eppinger and Anita Goyal
Product Design and Development, Tata McGraw Hill
Edition 2009, 4th edition, chapter-3 to chapter-8.

BIOGRAPHIES
Ahasan Habib Lecturer, Industrial Engineering
& Management, Khulna University of
Engineering
&
Technology,
Khulna,
Bangladesh, [email protected]
Ghazi Abu Taher 3 rd year Student BSC,
Industrial Engineering & Management, Khulna
University of Engineering & Technology,
Khulna, Bangladesh
[email protected]
Moumita Saha 3 rd year Student BSC, Industrial
Engineering & Management, Khulna University
of Engineering & Technology, Khulna,
Bangladesh, [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume: 02 Issue: 10 | Oct-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

544