Bishop Tattoo: Rotary bullet

Completed: AUg. 2024

Project Objectives

To create an all inclusive machine that allows artists, of all levels, to have a better experience when tattooing.

Research

Instagram: @Jazzchaotatz

Immersion Experience w/ Jazz Chao

Shop Location: Lumen Ink - Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, OH

  • Has practiced tattooing for 1.5 years (outside of apprenticeship)

  • Art style: black/gray, illustrative, & realism 

  • Went to DAAP for art history 

  • Pursued gallery business, worked full time in an auction house 

  • Used to paint but stopped after graduation 

  • Wanted to to do something more creative, loved getting tattoos, so friend helped push for a tattoo apprenticeship 

  • Worked at both auction house and tattoo apprenticeship for a bit but eventually quit to tattoo full time

Key Insights - Observations & Conversations

Tool used: Bishop Wand Packer 

  • Rotary machine - most popular type of machines to artists

    • Also referred to as “pens” because they are held like a marker 

  • Powered by button (range 6-12 = higher the power the “punchier” the needle) 

  • Uses stipple shading 

  • Machine takes little effort to make dark shades and lines 

  • package deal machine (can use the same machine for 1 tattoo) 

  • wireless - easier to move around 

  • Uses disposable cartridges - easier for clean up 

  • Powered by rechargeable battery 

  • Pro: wireless, package deal machine, power button instead of pedal

  • Cons: old battery so dies quicker than usual/short circuits, battery makes machine longer and heavier, wrong size cartridges causes machine to plug up and needle to pop out, battery comes loose mid tattoo


Product Teardown

Machines used vary of artists’ preference 

  • Many artists have about 3-5 machines set up per tattoo for different things (shading, lining, etc.) 

  • Not all cartridges fit all machines 

  • 3 type of machines: rotary, coil, pneumatic 

  • Wrist, hand, and back pain is common 

  • Artists use stress balls to help stretch hands and wrists 

  • Issues can vary on hand positioning of machine 

  • Weight of machine affects hand

    “What do Lumen Ink Artists want to see in a machine?”

  • All-in-one, all inclusive machine - left or right hand users, etc.

  • Machine that communicates with a censor (vibration, etc.) - needle too deep, not deep enough, battery level, etc. 

  • Easy machine customization - colors, patterns, etc. 

  • Lighter on hands

Task Analysis


  1. Disassemble machine - loosen,

    remove, replace, & fasten stroke on motor

  2. Screw motor onto transmission - adjust transmission head for stroke intensity

  3. Finish assembling machine and insert cartridge -

    plug in/ power on tattoo machine using button, pedal, etc.

  4. Adjust stroke intensity again by rotating transmission - dip needles into ink to test and wipe off excess

  5. Get comfortable and begin tattooing!

Ideation

Phase 1: Sketching

Phase 2: Pink Foam Models

Phase 3: Final 3D Printed Model

Final Cad Model

What’s New

  • New Exterior Body Shape - Multiple curves that allow multiple ways to grip onto machine, which then allows the artist to have a more comfortable time tattooing for longer periods of time

  • Built- In Silicone Grips - Grips allow for a stronger and more comfortable hold on machine

  • LED Touch Power Button - Touch Button on top allows for easy visual communication, which shows the artist colored lights when the device is powered on (purple), Full Battery (Green), Low Battery (Yellow), and Charge Needed (Red)

  • Proximity Sensor - A small sensor within machine that gives the artist a strong vibration as a form of communication when needle cartirage is loose, or has any other issues

  • Smaller Exterior Body Shape - Machine size scaled down, but still comfortable on hands to allow more comfortable weight distrabution between motors and rechargeable battery