A Case Study of Material Selection Method Based on Engineering and Material Perception Applied to the Smartphone Rear Panel

Abstract

Smartphones were launched in the market as a product in the early 2000’s. Today, less than 20 years later, the smartphone has become one of the most frequently used devices for human contact. The market is saturated, and competition between products has intensified, and it is not difficult to find products that are culled. To be selected by consumers, product differentiation must be outstanding, which is not easy when the basic technology is standardized. Currently, competition in the fields of cameras and displays is intensifying, but it is expected that advanced technology will become commonplace in the near future. There are several ways to increase the competitiveness and differentiation of a product, for example, by considering the technical aspects, or making the personality of the product unique. Consumers communicate with products through materials. The process and selection of materials suitable for the design requirements of a product is a very important component in competitive product manufacturing. The final material selection is performed by dividing the design requirements into function, constraints, personality, objectives, and supporting information aspects, and the selecting materials suitable for each stage. By capturing the overall concept as a function, the processes of selecting materials that meet the constraints, determining the type of material that matches the personality, and using the objectives to obtain the top-ranked materials, the final material suitable for all conditions can be selected by referring to supporting information from the top-ranked materials.