Obaid Al-Ali Saeed Alkaabi Project 1 Web report. Single Use camera

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1 Single Use camera Introduction: (Kodak Single Use Camera) The Kodak Funsaver was a pioneer of the disposable, single use camera market. When disposable cameras were popular, the Funsaver was considered Kodak s flagship product, due to its low cost and easy-to-develop film. The one-time use of the camera meant the camera generally was in the hands of a single consumer for just a few months at a time. However, almost all the parts in the camera, under normal conditions, had lifespans far beyond a few months. Kodak took advantage of this, and decided to reuse many of the parts of old cameras in new ones. This meant that the few dollars that Kodak charged per camera paid for the few new parts needed for that camera, which maximized profit for the company, while still keeping the consumer happy with the overall low cost of the camera. A main aspect of the reusability of these parts was that most of the parts where entirely mechanical. In other words, the only electrical parts used were those that powered the flash function of the camera. The actual picture-taking function was entirely mechanical and chemical. The user pressed a button that opened a shutter which let light into the camera through a lens that then cast that light onto light-sensitive film momentarily, until the shutter closed again. A user-operated wheel then spun the used film into the film cartridge, and the camera was ready to use again. Most of this process, however, took place within the confines of the camera s outer plastic casing. So, to the user, simply, a button was pressed, and a wheel was turned. After this process was repeated about 30 times, they took the camera to the nearest convenience store, where in a few days, they returned and were given an envelope of their pictures, never to see the camera again. However, this is where the cost-effectiveness was most prevalent for Kodak. The convenience store developed the film by removing the film through the bottom of the camera and putting the film into a far more complex machine that read the information stored on the film, and processed the information into photographs. The film was then discarded, and the camera, if the convenience store chose to, was then

2 sent back to Kodak in return for money. At this point the film was replaced, as well as the AA battery used to power the flash function, and as long as the camera seemed to be in working order, was repackaged and sold as an entirely new camera. And although it might not have been new, the parts that were considered used were still very capable of doing their jobs properly. These parts had lifespans of several years, so a few months of wear and tear did nothing to the overall performance seen by the consumer. Part A: Part-Material Outer casing Lens film Central Casing View finder Frame counter Flash Circuit Flash component Lens holders Resistance Spring Film advance gear Magnifier Function Protects and holds the inner components of the camera The image forming function of the camera. A recording function for the pictures taken on the camera. Holds together the inner parts of the camera Allows camera user to view what they are capturing Counts remaining pictures on film Charges the flash Provides flash Holds the lens in the camera Provides force for film advancement mechanism to complete cycle and Pulls shutter into place Moves film into cartridge after taking a picture Magnifies the frame count

3 Battery Shutter Mechanism Provides power to circuit board to complete flash process Function of closing and opening the light path of the camera

4 Part B: The camera is considered a complex system made up of multiple systems that are arranged in such a way to allow the passage of light and to process the image captured in a well-defined way to ensure that every step is executed in the way it suppose to be. These subsystems that are within the camera are different but function together when the camera is working or when the capture button is clicked. As for the subsystems inside this camera, the mechanical system, which is considered an important system since the grey plastic gear, is used to rotate the inside parts till the parts lock behind the capture button so that the camera is ready for picture to be taken. Also, this mechanical system is connected to the lighting unit as well as the viewfinder group in order for the image to be taken at the right time and as well the proper amount of light is entered the frame and be exposed on the film so that the image is properly stored on the film. As for the lighting unit it is operated by the electrical system in which a battery is used to power the unit itself giving you a bright flashlight during snapshots. As for the process, when the person aims and capture the picture the parts latched behind the capture button are released and on the other hand the shutter opens and let the light pass and be exposed on the film to store the image captured and the rotating parts are then placed back into their original position.

5 Part C: The most dominant material in this camera is made from is plastic making large part of the camera recyclable. Since the most material used for many parts of the camera such as the gears, latches, as well as holders, the shutter system, and the camera internal ad external frame are made of plastic these are the commonly recycled parts and placed in new recycled single use camera and this might be a reason why they are so cheap. And other parts such as springs, battery, film, and various components of the electrical circuit are made of metals and chemicals. As for the disassembly/assembly processes, they are almost the same the person should follow the same process of disassembly to re-assemble the camera but it is just the reverse of disassembling and follow certain safety procedures to avoid getting electric shock. To disassemble the camera the following steps must be followed, take the screwdriver and rip off the sticker on the top of the outer frame so that you can split the frame and open the camera into two parts. Then take the part with the camera frame and take away the film and start the process by pulling all components ad parts away but keep in mind not to touch the electric circuit since it can be charged so discharge it first before pulling it and continue pulling the parts off the camera frame but fore safety purposes take off the electrical circuit at the end to avoid electrical shock.

6 Part D: A: Plastic Casing/Frame B: Chemical Subsystem - Film C: Electronic Subsystem - Flash Circuit board - AA Battery Cell D: Mechanical Subsystem - Shutter Mechanism - Film Advancing Mechanisms - Flash Charging Mechanism E: Light Subsystem - Lens - Viewfinder

7 Part E: The single use camera is made up with few different materials. These materials include mainly plastic, but also include copper, steel, and silicone. According to Kodak, more than 1.5 billion single use camera have been recycled and reused since Also, according to their website, 84% of Kodak single use camera are recycled and reused, which make them the champion of recycling in US. The only things that can t be reused are the AA battery and the film itself. Internal parts that are in perfect working condition are just reused in newer cameras and everything else, such as the outer casting cover are ground up and recycled to be molded into new parts. Part F:

8 References: As for the part that we think it must be modified or redesign in order to minimize waste as possible is to change the packaging of the Kodak single use camera. Also, redesigning the packaging so that it can be recycled or biodegradable so that it s environmental friendly. In addition, changing or modifying the packaging would contribute largely to reduce waste associated with the camera and might be the cheapest choice compared to others in terms of reducing waste.