burn box.

Our team of three Stanford Product Design students embarked on a captivating journey to engineer a portable fire pit tailored for adventurers on the move. This industrial design endeavor presented a unique challenge: crafting a fire pit that not only collapses flat for efficient freight handling but also enhances portability without compromising functionality.

Striking a delicate balance between size and weight, our vision was to craft a fire pit sizable enough to accommodate a cozy gathering of ten yet lightweight enough for easy transport. Ensuring optimal airflow and preventing log displacement were paramount considerations in our design process, alongside the practicality of laser cutting for fabrication efficiency.

Our final prototype comprised six thoughtfully designed panels: four walls, a removable ashtray for convenient cleanup, and a strategically placed grate to maximize airflow and prolong the burn time. Simplifying assembly and disassembly, we incorporated intuitive tab mechanisms to secure the components, enhancing stability and user-friendliness.

Throughout this endeavor, we gained invaluable insights into material properties, particularly the challenges posed by steel thickness and weight distribution. Utilizing 3/16" steel, we achieved a robust yet manageable weight of approximately 40 lbs. Moving forward, refining the balance between steel thickness and weight distribution would be a priority, along with devising a practical carrying mechanism for post-fire disassembly.

ME 216C: Advanced Product Design. 2017.