The improvement of thresher design by using the integration of TRIZ and QFD approach

Abstract

The research described in this paper aimed to propose an integrative method by using quality function deployment (QFD) and TRIZ approach to improve thresher design manufactured by SMEs in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The process consisted of the following stages: 1) identification of the customer needs followed by the determination of their requirements rating; 2) the preparation of QFD phase 1; 3) the creation of QFD phase 2 for technical characteristics which do not contradict with the design characteristics or the selection of alternative solutions using TRIZ for both contradictory characteristics; 4) the thresher design improvement according to the design characteristics in the final stage. The distinctions between the re-design threshers with the reference design were wheels to facilitate mobilisation; screw type threshing teeth design on the threshing cylinder to meet the user need; and the ergonomic feeding table dimension to improve the user convenience.