Mirka Sander
Duration
12 Weeks
Dates
Summer 2025
Mirka Voltix is a cordless, professional-grade tool designed to bridge the gap between jobsite performance and home usability.
Skills: Design Research, Form Development, Product Visualization
Sanding is a frequently done task in the automotive industry
“4 in 10” technicians express dissatisfaction in available tools for professional sanders
Auto-body sanding can release dust with lead, chromium, and abrasives, exceeding OSHA limits and risking lung and nerve damage.
-OSHA Studies
User Concerns
For small shops, pneumatic tools often represent a financial burden, frequently rendering them inaccessible. Reliance on pre-owned equipment brings expenses as maintenance accumulates over time.
Labor Cost
Worker Safety
Mechanics often suffer from unforeseen issues including hearing loss, toxic fumes, and other physical harm from years of working with power tools.
During operation extended cords induce resistance in movement, pneumatic power generates excessive noise, and battery-powered devices often necessitate dual-hand grips. contributing to user discomfort.
Equipment Ergonomics
Design Statement
In order to enhance efficiency and reduce user fatigue during sanding tasks, I want to minimize human strain and improve precision by developing a professional-grade, cordless random orbit sander that combines power, durability, and ergonomic design.
Automotive Sanding Techniques
Great for precision work and curved surfaces Uses sanding blocks, foam pads, or bare-hand techniques. Ideal for feather‑edging paint, final smoothing, and tight areas. Gives the most control but is slower than machine sanding
Hand Sanding
Machine Sanding (Board and Straight Line)
Long‑stroke sanders that move in a straight line. Excellent for large flat areas like doors, hoods, and quarter panels. Helps achieve extremely straight surfaces when used with guide coat.
The go‑to for most body shops. The pad spins and oscillates, reducing swirl marks. Perfect for leveling filler, removing old paint, and general surface prep. Usually paired with 80–320 grit depending on the stage.
Dual Action Sanding
Tool Breakdown
A product breakdown dissects a product into components to show function, materials, costs, and relationships. It exposes opportunities for simplification, modularity, and reuse; aligns designers, engineers, PMs, manufacturers, and suppliers; reduces uncertainty; speeds iteration; and clarifies how the product will succeed.
Key Findings
Needs vacuum bag/housing
18V Battery required for Industrial use
Ergonomic grip for manuverability
Proportions fit mid-range hands; tapered contours and soft edges suit smaller and larger users. Optimized grip diameter and texture reduce pinch force and slippage without bulk. Balanced mass keeps center of gravity near the hand to lower wrist torque. Controls placed within natural thumb/finger reach.
Model Testing
Final Design
RAL 9017 PANTONE 116UFOGRA39CMF Specifications
Utilizing traditional power tool materials, the CMF integrates 65% soft plastics for user touchpoints and 35% hard casings for structural rigidity.
Slim, balanced design enables confident one-handed use, reducing fatigue and improving control. Lightweight with well-placed grips makes adjustments intuitive, keeping operation fast, accurate, and less strenuous.
Compact Design
Vented Chamber
A vented chamber lets this tool be used in any location. With the optional vacuum hose connection, it can be safely operated both indoors and outdoors.
The Voltix pairs a compact 18V battery and advanced cells for high power in a small pack. Variable-speed buttons give precise control, and LED indicators show remaining runtime-delivering adjustable, powerful performance in a lightweight, portable unit.
