Objective: Reflect on how some products over time have been cost reduced from their original model to the what it might be today or maybe even before the product became obsolete. For example, when the first VCR (video cassette recorder) was introduced, it was over $1000, large and very heavy. In fact, the high cost - US$1,395 in 1971 for a combination TV/VCR, equivalent to $8,850 in 2020 dollars kept it out of most homes. At the end of the product lifecycle, you could find a VCR at your large neighborhood box store for $39 maybe even $29. Pretty incredible.

For many products that are in demand and have a competitive market, there is constant pressure to redesign the products to reduce cost, modify function and quality. Often, the cost can be reduced at the same time quality could be improved. Answer the following questions.

1. Give a conceptual example (does not have to be product specific) from a manufacturing and design perspective where a product redesign could reduce cost but improve quality.

2. Provide an example other than a VCR where a product during its lifecycle went through many cost reduction cycles.

3. For the product you identified above, describe from a DFMA perspective 2 ways, cost was taken out of the product design.