Benjamin Tilley

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > MEng students > Benjamin Tilley

This project’s aim was to design a compact, versatile cylinder lawn mower that caters to a range of garden care needs in a single device, by introducing an interchangeable cartridge system.

Hey, thanks for checking out my project. I’m Ben and originally from Leicestershire, love sport and occasionally sail when I get the time!

I’ll soon be graduating with an integrated masters in Product Design and Manufacture, with a Spring and Summer internship at a local in-house tool manufacturer. This was taken at TrigJig, where I had the chance to work on some interesting projects, notably the Combi-Gauge 90, with the freedom of creating early concepts to prototypes and eventually see the final design be produced and go to market.

I’m passionate about the future of design and how the industry is constantly evolving to new technology and opportunities for innovation, particularly additive manufacturing. This is initially where my interest sparked, always intrigued by new technology, getting hands on at school and at home. I feel I’ve learnt the most in prototyping and the early development stages of projects where products begin to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. I’m keen to get involved in sustainable and user-centred products that can make a positive impact on people’s lives.

To get in-touch about anything design, see the links on this page to my LinkedIn or email, and feel free to ask any questions about the project too.

Benjamin Tilley, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

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MultiMowr

This project’s aim was to design a compact, versatile cylinder lawn mower that caters to a range of garden care needs in a single device, by introducing an interchangeable cartridge system.

Key objectives of the project include:

To design a lawn mower with an interchangeable cartridge system
Embed a suitable safety system into the design
Foldable, good portability and storage potential
Targeted towards small – medium sized lawns, typically urban housing
User considered throughout entire process

The solution:

Utilising a double-sided toothed belt drive system, the selected cylinder can be removed and installed quickly and efficiently, simply slotting into the side enclosure. This allows for a range of cartridges to be installed, so the user can complete various tasks within just one device.

Four levels of user engagement increase the safety for the user and those surrounding the device. Micro switch on the locking handle > key fob > engagement button > safety bar. Release of any component cuts the power to the cylinder.

The hirth joint enables the user to fold the handles, significantly reducing the height of the design for storage and portability purposes.

Suited for urban environments using a 300W battery, with a 30 minute run-time, reducing harmful greenhouse gas pollution and noise pollution associated with petrol mowers.

User interaction:

Quick release handle adjusts the hirth joint and the angle of operation, designed to suit the 5th to 95th percentile range
Carry handle is reinforced using a welded steel assembly at the rear of the design
User interaction points highlighted in green across the design