Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Design Firm Makes Handy Use of High-tech Tools

By Design World Staff | August 22, 2011

Bresslergroup recently designed the next generation of CleanCut, a touchless paper towel holder that can dispense and cut any length of paper towel with the wave of a hand. Bresslergroup redesigned the inventor’s prototype to optimize the appliance for high volume, low cost manufacturing. The design firm used SolidWorks 3D solid modeling software throughout the project processes.

According to Dave Schiff, director of the Bresslergroup’s engineering department, “SolidWorks software was key to the project. The benefits of 3D CAD are rapid turnaround from on-screen images to solid prototypes, rapid concept iterations, kinematic analysis, and FEA analysis to simulate performance before prototypes are built.

CleanCut

The front panel of the device has two recesses with icons to prompt the user where to wave the hand to dispense and cut the towel.

“The ease of the user interface makes it a good tool for our industrial designers to use for design concept and form development.  By using it to build multiple bodies within a given part, it is possible for design intent to be captured in the ‘master model,’ and then export child parts for detailing. During the course of the CleanCut design, as changes were made to the height, width, or depth of the full assembly, it was possible to make these changes to the master model, and have them propagate to the child parts with minimal rework.”

He added, “We visualized and animated the interaction of the various parts in the assembly. For example, we were able to view pinch plates that open and close to hold and release the paper during the cutting process. Additionally, we used SolidWorks Simulation software to evaluate stress and deflections under loads prior to prototyping. This capability most likely helped reduce the number of prototypes.”

CleanCut Assembly

Bresslergroup used SolidWorks software to design the CleanCut automatic towel dispenser. The use of break beam technology assures the device is instantly responsive to the user.

The design team went through several iterations. Once the basic form was defined, the internal modular cutting mechanism went through a number of changes over a six-month period. Basic functions such as cutting and feeding paper were proven with the first alpha prototype build. Over the next six months, Bresslergroup worked closely with the manufacturer in China to fabricate and test several iterative prototypes. This process helped refine key functions to improve the reliability of paper feeding and cutting, while implementing several measures to reduce cost in production.

CleanCut automated paper towel dispenser

When you wave your hand the mechanism propels the towel at a rate of approximately 11 in. in 0.25 sec.

The first alpha prototypes were fabricated by Prototype Solutions Group. These models were a combination of highly finished and painted stereolithography (SLA) parts for the housings to give the appearance of final molded product. The acrylonitrite butadiene styrene (ABS) components were NC-machined to give strength for handling fast moving mechanical loads and impact forces. The beta prototype was then refined for manufacturing at Yamaha for production in China.

Bresslergroup
www.bresslergroup.com

SolidWorks
www.solidworks.com

::Design World::

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Software • 3D CAD, Software • FEA, Software • simulation, ENGINEERING SOFTWARE

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more