Drop
Arianna Bosio, Filippo Bugni, Giorgia Bartolomeo
A.Y. 2017-2018
Drop is an appliance that was created for the steam cleaning of glass and windows, but its use is versatile. Using a continuous boiler, Drop can ceaselessly provide steam, which can be used for cleaning and sterilizing surfaces. The appliance can be used, in addition to the default spout, with two different accessories: a brush and a windshower.
Why
Steam is a versatile way of cleaning, but as a result of the research, users were not satisfied with appliances that use this cleaning principle, as they are often heavy and take a long time to heat up. From this, the need for an appliance that has the same features but is efficient has emerged.
The process
We focused on steam-powered appliances for their efficiency, and conducted market and user analysis to identify pain points. After developing multiple prototypes and studying ergonomics, we found a balanced weight would improve our product. We encountered difficulties shaping Drop to meet both technical and ergonomic requirements. After finalizing the steam appliance, we built a full-scale prototype using selective laser sintering.
How it works
Thanks to the use of a continuous boiler and a “T” suction system used in the tank, steam delivery is continuous for about twelve minutes. Warm up times are kept to a minimum and are about thirty seconds, making Drop immediate to use for the user. After six minutes without using the device, it goes into standby mode to reduce waste. Approximately twenty minutes after switching off Drop, you can put it away.
Prototype
In the SLS process, microscopic plastic particles (nylon powders) are exposed to a high-power laser that melts them together to form a solid three-dimensional object. This technology allowed us to have a mockup with a very high level of aesthetic finish and a functioning model in terms of assembly.
My Role
My overall role has seen my active participation in all phases of the research and product engineering. Specifically I carried on the marketing research, the design of the presentation, the develop of the mockups, and the 3d modeling.
Pains
The 3d modeling and the definition of a shape that met all the technical requirements and the limited space available was the main problem to face. We tried and tried until we achieved a convincing result from all points of view.
Takeaways from the project
Through the development of this project, I was able to acquire the right technical skills for product development, learning the management of materials and assembly. By deepening what I learned about the meta-project, I learned to define the target, the objectives and to identify the hidden needs of the users.