Performance Testing

Purpose

Several design options that we created had unique advantages and disadvantages: the “grate” design held the therapy band most securely together, the “interlock” was extremely simple in use and the “chip clip” was fast. It was difficult to make a decision on which one should we proceed further with. We decided to focus more on the client’s mail expectations: comfort, quickness and easiness of the clasp usage. The objective of this performance testing was to determine to what extent does each design correspond to these factors to take the final decision.

Methodology

The quickness of use of each clasp was determined through measuring the time taken to connect, adjust length and disconnect the clasp from the therapy band. The data was collected from 3 persons, each performing the action 5 times, using the phone timer. 

To determine the ease of use of each clasp, the “blindfold” test was used. During this test, each of the 3 persons attempted to connect the ends of the therapy band via each design. If the action was successful, then a design would pass the “blindfold” test. 

To determine the comfort of each clasp, spring balance was used. Therapy band connected by each clasp and wrapped around a leg was pulled by the spring balance up to 20 N (Newtons) for 5 seconds. Then, each of the 3 participants rated the comfort they experienced on a scale from 1 (most comfortable) to 7 (least comfortable).

Measuring all the above factors for a knot on was included in the data collection for the sake of comparison because the aim of the project is to create a design that exceeds the knot in these parameters. 

Results

Table 1 shows the calculated average time taken for each action for each design. 

Table 1. Average time taken for connecting, adjusting and disconnecting the therapy band using knot and each clasp.

Table 2 represents the results of the “blindfold” testing for each of the participants.

Table 2. Results of the “blindfold” test.

Table 3 shows the average of the results of the comfort test.

Table 3. Results of the comfort test.

Conclusions and Limitations

From the data collected during the performance testing, following can be concluded:

1. Chip Clip is the fastest clasp, according to the time averages for its connecting, disconnecting and adjusting the therapy band length.
2. Chip Clip passed the “blindfold” test.
3. Grate did not pass the “blindfold” test because 2 participants failed to perform any action with it while being blindfolded. 
4. Grate shown to be the slowest in use taking up to 60 seconds on average to connect the ends of the therapy band.
5. Comfort test did not show significant difference in results. It was decided to omit the results of this test as they were not helpful. 

The last conclusion requires further research on how the comfort of each clasp can be measured in a more precise way. Based on other conclusions, it was determined that the “Chip Clip” design has the most advantage over simply tying a knot and over the “Grate” design. Hence, we decided to proceed with the “Chip Clip” design and make it our main project.