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# Obsolescence Forensic Report: Mesko Stove Top


## Introduction

## Table of Contents
[TOC]

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## Report Details

| Attribute | Information |
|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| **Reporting Agency** | MDEF |
| **Case Identifier** | Forensics of Obsolescence |
| **Submitter Identity** | Fab Lab Barcelona Member |
| **Date of Receipt** | 15/10/2024 |
| **Date of Report** | 19/10/2024 |
| **Examiner Identity & Signature** | Erik Gutschow, Lucretia Field, Mohit Chopra, Paula Rydel, Ziming Shang |

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## Examination

### Items Submitted for Examination

:::warning
Mesko Stove
Model Number: MS6508
Serial Number: 2010
:::

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### Forensic Questions

:::warning
### What does the device do?
It heats stuff up!
The Mesko MS-6508 is a portable electric stove top designed for cooking. It features two heating elements for preparing food, adjustable via a control knob.
:::

:::warning
### How does it work?
The stove top works by converting electrical energy into heat through resistive heating elements. When powered on, electricity flows through the coiled wires in the burners, which heat up and transfer thermal energy to cookware placed on top.
:::

:::warning
### How is it constructed?
The Mesko MS-6508 consists of two main electric coils, a metal housing, a control panel with knobs for temperature regulation, internal wiring for the power supply, and protective insulation.
:::



:::warning
### Why did it fail, or why is it no longer in use?
It doesn't conduct electricity anymore, as there seems to be some fault with the internal connection upon initial impressions, which fails to heat up the coil to get the stove to work.
:::

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## Bill of Materials

### Metal Parts
| Part | Function | Material |Count | Dimensions
|-------------------|--------------------- |------|----|-|
Cast Iron Burner/Plate YQ 155 1 |Heating coil | Cast Iron | 1 | 155 mm in Diameter
Metal Chassis |To house components| Steel | 2 | 30 x 30 x 10 cm
Internal wiring | Electrical connections |Copper| 5 | -
KST220 Heating Thermostat| Controlling Temperature | Steel, Brass, Cooper, Ceramic| 1 | 6.0 x 11.0 x 2.0 cm
Thermal Fuse | Prevent overheating| Ceramic, Metal Alloy | 1 | 2,54 x 2,54 x 2,54 cm

### Plastic Parts
| Part | Function | Material |Count
|-------------------|--------------------- |------|----
Control knobs| Temperature adjustment |ABS |2
Indicator light cover| Displays heating status |Polyethylene |1
Plastic Feet | Stability for Surfaces | Polyethylene| 4
### Electronic Parts
| Part | Function | Material |Count |
|-------------------|--------------------- |------|----|
Indicator light | Power indicator|LED| 1


### Reverse Engineering (isnt this supoosed to be about repurpose etc?)

1. **Does the stove work?**:
No.

2. **Inital impressions/analysis**
We connected the plug to test if there was any spark or any sort of connection that might prevail, but the stove was not working. We also noticed rust marks on the heating coil along with the missing rubber knob for the thermocontrol switch.

3. **Dismantle**
- We started with removing the head screw to reveal the inside of the metal chassis
- We then proceeded with seperating all the key components
- The next step was to connect the multi-meter and understand the flow of current
- We realized there was a gap due to a fuse which was most certainly, short

4. **Formulate a Hypothesis**:
If the faulty fuse is removed and the connection is made direct, the stove should start to heat up.

5. **The Experiment**:
- Remove the fuse
- Solder the wire together
- Proceed with using the heat shrink on the new connections (using a rubber connector) to nullify any loose ends


6. **Additional Experimention**:


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## Results

### 1. What Caused the Failure?
Our hypothesis turned out to be correct: the thermal fuse was not working. The broken fuse was preventing power to reach the other components.


### 2. How did we fix it?
By removing the fuse and connecting the wires directly, we were able to make the stove work again, but not optimally. The lack of a fuse means there is nothing to prevent the stove from overheating.

## Insights & Reflections

- Always check the fuse before throwing stuff away!
- Being able to make the stove work without any prior knowledge of how it works, show us that we understimate our capabilities of figuring out how to fix stuff by ourselves.

## Conclusions

### "Taking shit apart" as a Problem-Solving Methodology

Disassembling the Mesko MS-6508 stove and experimenting with its components was a deeply insightful experience, offering a hands-on lesson in how simple electrical appliances are designed and function. By tracing the flow of current through the heating elements and understanding the role of the thermal fuse, we were able to identify and fix the issue, even bypassing the safety feature temporarily. This exercise not only demonstrated the relative simplicity of the internal mechanisms but also highlighted the importance of reverse engineering as a problem-solving tool.

### The Machine Paradox & How we understimate our fixing skills

It was a practical reminder that the complexities of everyday electronics often mask their potential for repair and repurposing. The process also shed light on the pervasive issue of **programmed obsolescence**, as the appliance was designed with components that inevitably fail over time. Most importantly, the experience fostered a deeper appreciation for how accessible tools like multimeters can demystify technology and empower users to troubleshoot and innovate, sparking creativity and confidence in approaching future projects.

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## Reverse Engineering Images