Braai tongs Product Design

Braai tongs mechanical design

Mechanical Engineering Dept, UCT: MEC3072F COURSE | June 2017 Time-bound: 1 month design in a group of 3.

Aim

This project consisted of redesigning illuminated braaitongs to be market-competitive, but also for elegance and practicality.

See how far the tongs close!

Background

Mechanical design and rendering takes place throughout the UCT’s Mechanical Engineering degree.

The braai is the traditional South African open-air barbecue. These braai tongs were designed to have LED illumination but also compete with tongs currently on the market.

Features

Spring-loaded

Held together by a spring-loaded mechanism.

Detachable tongs

Detaching the braai tongs for cleaning.

4 LEDS per tong

All 8 LEDs are powered by a battery on the one handle.

The electrical wiring was a little tough. We had after all chosen to power the LEDs on two sides with a single battery. But can this work with a spring-loaded contraption? This means the wiring for the other tong had to be designed very carefully.

The wire is in contact with a base plate.

Summary

These braai tongs were designed to be ergonomic and durable - but also very fancy ones, with LED illumination and detachable extensions for cleaning and storing.

Assembly drawing

Assembly drawing