Experiments:
Extrusion machine for heat molding the cup holders
Problems & Weaknesses Identified:
- Nonwashable, or difficult to clean.
- Can’t withstand high temperature of heat (at least 120 degrees celsius for regular dishwasher).
- It is Sproutworks responsibility to wash and disinfect cups and reusable cup holders.
- Cup holders need to be molded in a specific way (size, thickness, density) to put into use.
- According to Sproutworks manager Mary Kate, some cup holders are too loose and insecure for carrying water.
- Take a large amount of space to store. The current disposable paper cup holders can be stacked in a small box. Plastic cup holders differ in sizes and shapes, so it is difficult and inconvenient to store them.
Potential Solutions:
- New Design
- Design a stackable version
- A completely different production process
- possibly requires new mold and material
2. Standardize the Production
- During experimentation, we find that there is a high possibility of failure
- Design molds and tools that make the production process quicker and easier
3. Solve other problems of storing and cleaning
- Design a rack for cleaning
- Find new materials or tools for washing
The 2nd round of meeting with CP Yan He and Rong Chen
Facts:
- Staffs composition
– 30+ staffs at Sproutworks
– Half male, half female
– People who work in the kitchen are normally in their 50s, while the rest of them are around 30ish years old - Working condition:
– Working from 6:30 am – 8 pm
– Breaks from 2 pm – 4.30 pm-ish but still need to do small works - Entertainment:
– Chatting, playing phones, and resting are the three main things they do while not working
– Mainly stay at B1
– Hangouts often outside of work (eating, shopping) - Yan He who has worked for Sproutworks for 8 years says that the work is not too tiring.
- All the staff has dorms provided next to the school.
Feelings:
- The other staff Rong Chen didn’t speak too much. Maybe it’s because her manager is next to her?
- They are afraid of change/uncertainties.
- We feel it’s a small and cute community among the girls there.
Findings:
- They would love to have a restroom just for them as long as it’s approved by the higher authorities.
Futures:
- We will talk to Mary Kate or more advanced authorities about the space we can use for the staff to rest.
- If the above issue is figured out, we will think about how to design the space using what we learned and remade.