NoStressNoMess

thingiverse

This three-part design features two polyurethane spheres with an upright aluminum stand. The two main purposes of this design are: (1) organization of common desk items and (2) stress relief. Virtual learning has turned household desks into an everyday workplace for millions around the world. This device allows for the storage of thin, elongated objects such as pens, pencils and styluses in one sphere, and wider objects such as scissors and markers in the other. The extruded cuts in each sphere serve as insert points for objects and the flexible polyurethane material allows each cut to conform to any object shape. Furthermore, when empty, both spheres can be removed from the aluminum stand and double as alternatives to traditional “stress relief balls.” During the design process, the extruded cuts to both spheres proved challenging as the location of each cut was crucial to the overall function. With cuts all throughout the entire sphere, objects are able to easily slide through the device from all angles. Yet, having cuts on the bottom hemisphere also allows items with diameters smaller than that of the hole to fall out. Further the size of cuts was determined based on the diameter of a standard pencil and glue stick, limiting items to those comparable in size. In a redesign of this device, the diameter of each cut would vary throughout both spheres, allowing a greater range of objects to function with this product. A portion of the lower hemisphere of each would also remain solid to secure falling objects. These changes would be made while ensuring flexibility is not compromised. 3D printing would allow this device to be physically tested in the appropriate environment and therefore strengthen design through continuous trial and error.