Synergy Replaceable Head Toothbrush by Sagar Amin |
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| DESIGN DETAILS | |||||
| DESIGN NAME: Synergy PRIMARY FUNCTION: Replaceable Head Toothbrush INSPIRATION: Every single toothbrush you have ever thrown away is still in existence (Greenpeace, 2017) Approximately 3.6 billion disposable plastic toothbrushes are produced every year, with the majority ending up in oceans and landfills. As 98% of toothbrushes are not biodegradable, and plastics don’t go away, they then break down into microplastics, threating the environment and planets’ wildlife. Dentists recommend replacing toothbrush every three months; that’s 4 per year, 320 during lifetime (say 80 yrs), around 12lb of plastic in that time. However, issue is not plastic, but the type of plastic used, and the single-use / disposable mindset. UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Synergy is a premium manual toothbrush, designed with a replaceable, compact snap-fit head, and reusable body, crafted for comfort, that aims to reduce the plastic waste of traditional disposable toothbrushes. Replace, Reuse, Reduce OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Replaceable brush head, snap-fit, reusable handle, send the old head back to the manufacturer in the resealable packaging of the replacement head, to be disassembled and recycled/composted, e.g. the castor oil bristles are biodegradable. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: 3 months in London (UK), started in October 2019 ended mid-January. |
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: After initial sketch models of foam and foam board, the toothbrush was developed and finalised through CAD; digitally crafted. The handle was ‘crafted’ for comfort, by manipulating the splines of the 3D model, optimising the cut of the thumb scallop feature. Used 3D printed PLA for test models, especially the variety of snap-fits, then using SLS (outsourced), printed the WIP concept. With regards to the intended materials & manufacture of the toothbrush, for the Handle & Replaceable Head, if Injection moulded – Sulapac, if 3D Printed – UPM ForMi. The Bristles are Castor Oil SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Toothbrush assembly fits within a 3D space of 195mm x 15mm x 15mm (WxDxH) TAGS: Industrial Product Design, Reusability, Toothbrush, Snap-fit, Eco, Digital craft, Healthcare RESEARCH ABSTRACT: This project stems from a dissertation asking can digital be craft. Crafted pieces take time, care and skill, and as a result feel valuable and more meaningful than ‘fast fashion’ products, but can a digitally crafted product emotionally connect with us in the same way. After exploring the debate, I conceived Abstrax - Hybridised Workmanship, an alternative approach and more inclusive definition. It’s my belief that a craft mindset parallels today’s reusability trend, so while being conceptualised as a reusable toothbrush, Synergy was digitally crafted as a statement piece/vessel of Abstrax. CHALLENGE: Two challenges: 1. Bridging the link between being a statement piece of Abstrax and digital craft, and functioning as a toothbrush, with a replaceable head, not design-art. 2. Developing a secure, aesthetic, snap-fit connection between the handle and brush head. ADDED DATE: 2020-02-21 17:40:52 TEAM MEMBERS (1) : IMAGE CREDITS: Sagar Amin, 2019. |
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| AWARD DETAILS | |
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Synergy Replaceable Head Toothbrush by Sagar Amin is Runner-up for A' Design Award in Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design Category, 2019 - 2020.· Read the interview with designer Sagar Amin for design Synergy here.· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Sagar Amin. · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Sagar Amin. |
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