Pop Can Opener | Designed for People with Prosthetics or Severe Arthritis

thingiverse

This is a pop can opener - more specifically, it’s an incredibly simple, easy-to-print lever extension designed to open up pop cans with ease. Simply slip the lever into place on the tab of a pop can and pull back, voilà - the pop can is open with barely any force required. The project began as a gift for my mother and turned out to be a complete success. Although it has room for improvement, this design serves as only the beginning. I want to encourage others to develop new similar designs focusing on simplicity, inexpensiveness, and ease of use. I started working on this pop can opener after realizing how much my mother struggled with Lymes disease causing arthritis in her hands. It's essential for those with limitations like prosthetics or disabilities to regain independence, which doesn't have to be complicated. That's the goal I’m striving for - providing solutions that enable everyday people to enjoy simple tasks without assistance. While it may not seem revolutionary, maintaining a perspective of efficient and inexpensive tools could truly make a difference in our lives. When printing this design, consider the layers' orientation and their impact on strength, as the arm needs to withstand some force when used. A horizontal print will allow stacked layers that are parallel with the length/direction of the arm for added strength. My motivation behind creating this pop can opener came from my mother's excitement over receiving it - a reminder of regaining independence even through something simple like opening a pop can without assistance from others.