Tissue Transporter

grabcad

Every year, roughly 300 million pounds of plastic are manufactured, and 8 million pounds of that is added to habitats such as the Pacific Ocean. These waste products pile up and harm the ecosystems surrounding the pile, which leads to deformations in organisms and unnatural chemicals passing through various food webs. As part of the human race, all people should aim to fix this monstrosity of a mess that has been collectively composed. Focusing on that, the Tissue Transporter creates an option that eliminates plastic wrappers that are only used one time than disposed of. The Tissue Transporter is a simple product that allows for convenience and ease in a person’s life while they may not be at their best. It is a reusable device that allows all people to have access to tissues while they are under the weather with a runny nose, congestion, or even the common cold. The product is composed of three main features: casing, a slide, and a sliding door-like feature. The design and components of the device allow for mobility while maintaining sanitary conditions. The Tissue Transporter aids people in a very simple, yet necessary way that proves to be useful in extremely common conditions. The creation of the product utilizes additive manufacturing benefits by allowing for tolerances and allowances to be present on the interior of the product, which may be difficult and costly if using traditional subtractive manufacturing processes. For example, the extrusions maintaining the slide feature steadiness could not be reached through traditional processes, while additive manufacturing makes it very simple. With help from Grand Haven High School and Mr. Jeremy Case, the manufacturing process of the Tissue Transporter uses FDM technology and PLA filament due to its cost-effective nature. FDM technology is much more accessible compared to other additive manufacturing methods, and PLA is a plant-based filament that is much more environmentally friendly than plastic wrappers. This product is a solution with the intent to decline the rate at which plastic is negatively affecting the environments around the world. Not only does it vastly improve the current methods of transporting kleenex from an environmental standpoint, but also from a convenience standpoint. The reusability aspects of the Tissue Transporter appeal to a large audience not only because it is portable and environmentally friendly, but also improves the quality of the tissues due to the hard casing not crumbling the tissues into a wad.