Axon Screw-On Mount
Summary
Axon is a company that builds Tasers and body cameras for police departments. I was tasked with coming up with a way to mount the body camera on an officers vest that would not be accidentally shifted or removed in the field. I conducted conceptual design, prototyping and preliminary testing, and DFM (injection molding).
Here is a link to the product on Axon’s website: https://my.axon.com/buy/s/product/axon-body-mount-rapidlock-anchor-vertical/01t4y00000ExxJXAAZ?language=en_US
Here is another mount that I design to allow the camera to be mounted to GoPro’s mounting system: https://my.axon.com/buy/s/product/axon-body-3-rapidlock-mount-action-camera/01t4y00000ExxgtAAB?language=en_US
Mount background
Existing camera mounts (magnet/clip on mounts) were prone to detachment in certain situations
The cameras are fairly expensive, so a more robust design was needed for some cases
Design Objectives
Design a camera mount that cannot be accidentally removed in the field, can be placed in various positions on the officer’s uniform, and is low profile enough to not affect the officers’ movement
Constraints
Must be small enough to fit in multiple locations of different vests and shirts due to local uniform regulations but large enough to support the weight of the camera without folding the shirt
Must withstand enough force to not be pulled off the vest in any direction
Must be simple to install with no special tools
Approach
Conceptually design some rough solutions until one satisfies the constraints
3D print the parts and test pull strength in all directions
Adapt the design of the parts to be injection moldable
Review tool schematics from injection molding vendor
Results
3000 units manufactured and sent to Australia to the Victoria Police Department for a beta test
Lessons Learned
Responsibility for a design throughout the design process
How manufacturing techniques affect the final design
Balancing autonomy with communication of progress, results, and problems