PEN PALS
❤️🔥 During the Spring 2024 semester, I collaborated with a team on an impactful project for our Engin 29 course, Manufacturing and Design Communication. We were challenged to address a problem within our community and decided to focus on aiding students who struggle with attention disorders and discomfort in traditional classroom settings.
Our solution was a custom pen featuring integrated fidget devices and an ergonomic strain-reducing grip. This design aims to enhance both students’ focus and physical comfort, helping them stay grounded and engaged in their learning environment.
To bring our product to life, we utilized a variety of manufacturing processes that we learned during the course, including turning, milling, 3D printing, and water jetting. We were fortunate to have access to Jacobs Hall, which provided us with the necessary resources and tools to develop our innovative pen.
Our project underscores our commitment to improving the everyday experiences of students and workers, recognizing the challenges they face in maintaining focus and comfort.
Skills and Techniques Used:
• Product Design
• Turning
• Milling
• 3D Printing
• Water Jetting
• Ergonomic Analysis
• Prototyping
This experience not only honed my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of user-centered design and collaborative problem-solving.
TEAM: Jeremy Huang, Sam Harris & Carla Dagandan
Pen Designs
The initial phase of our plan involves a thorough analysis of a regular pen to understand its dimensions and identify common discomfort points experienced by users, which will allow us to determine the optimal size and ergonomic features for our prototype. Utilizing turning, 3D printing and milling processes, we will craft the body of the pencil to ensure a comfortable grip, ergonomic design, and the implementation of our fidget spin. Additionally, water jetting will be utilized for precise cutting and shaping of components to ensure smooth functionality. Overall, we created to deliver a prototype that meets comfort, functionality and attention aiding features.
