Industrial design and concept

Flux is an AI hardware engineer. It helps you align on the greenhouse monitor's form and user experience before you create mechanical parts.

Write the industrial-design brief

Ask Flux to describe the product's size, shape, materials, finish, mounting, installation, controls, and use environment.

Record how water and sun affect the product form. Keep the brief with the Project Specification.

Open Files, select New in Documents, and save the industrial-design brief with the project requirements.

Create and refine the concept

Ask Flux to create concept drawings from the brief before it creates enclosure CAD.

You can also attach your own sketch or photo in Chat → Attach File. See Create a 3D model from a photo, sketch, or drawing.

Compare concepts against the brief

Ask Flux to compare each concept with the product requirements and the installation workflow.

Use Chat to iterate on the concept. Select Files to keep the brief and concept images with the project.

Map the user's task

Ask Flux to describe how a gardener installs, reads, charges, and services the monitor. Use that sequence to decide where the enclosure, probe cable, status indicator, and charging port belong.

Keep each user action tied to a visible part of the product. The gardener must know whether the monitor is powered, connected, and reading. The probe must reach the soil without pulling on the enclosure. The charging port must remain accessible after installation. Record the preferred workflow in the industrial-design brief.

Open Files, select New in Documents, and add the user task and design decisions to the brief. Ask Flux to connect each control or opening to a user action and list decisions that need agreement.

1. Describe the mounting and probe installation sequence.

2. Ask Flux to compare the status options and reading workflow.

3. Record where the user sees status and accesses charging.

4. Keep the user task and selected workflow in the industrial-design brief.

Define form, material, and mounting

Ask Flux to develop the size and form around the installation location and the user's handling needs.

Describe the material, finish, texture, and visible surfaces. State whether the monitor hangs, clamps, screws, or snaps onto its support. Include the post diameter, service direction, and space needed to remove the product. Ask Flux to keep the board, battery, probe connector, and mounting parts as design constraints while the exterior form changes.

1. Ask Flux for alternatives that fit the mounting location.

2. State the external dimensions and space around the device.

3. Describe the finish and surfaces that the user touches or sees.

4. Compare how the mount affects installation and service access.

5. Record the selected form and material in the brief.

Design the status and charging experience

Ask Flux to place user-facing controls and indicators where they remain clear after the monitor is mounted.

Describe the states that the status indicator communicates, such as startup, a completed reading, and a connection. State whether the user needs a button or display. Include how the user opens the enclosure, connects the charger, and replaces the battery or probe. Ask Flux to update the concept when the interaction changes the housing or board position.

1. Check the visibility of the LED or display from the normal viewing position.

2. Check how the user's hand approaches the charging port and any button.

3. Keep the probe cable separate from the charging cable and lid seam.

4. Ask Flux to revise the concept and list the affected openings.

Iterate on concept images

Ask Flux to create visual directions from the industrial-design brief, then refine the selected concept.

Use Chat → Attach File to give Flux a sketch, photo, or product reference. Ask for a concept image that preserves the dimensions and user workflow in the brief. Describe the camera angle and the features that must appear. Ask Flux to change one visual decision at a time so the selected concept remains connected to the brief.

1. Attach your sketch or photo from Chat → Attach File.

2. Ask Flux to create concept images that match the user task and environment.

3. Compare the mounting, access, status visibility, cable path, and enclosure form.

4. Request a revision with the selected changes.

5. Keep the chosen image with the brief in Files.

The selected concept becomes the reference for the enclosure and mechanical parts. Continue with Mechanical design.