FMC Product Designers Developed a Useful Tool to Fight COVID-19
16. April 2020Product designers from the Faculty of Multimedia Communications of Tomas Bata University in Zlín invented a very useful tool – a special handle attachment that people will be able to make on their own at home.
In practice, the tool is a simple plastic extension piece, thanks to which people can open the door using their forearms only and can thus avoid touching the handle with their hands, which is highly advisable in this time threatened by the Coronavirus pandemic.
“When the information about the second most common mode of transmission of the infection being direct contact with objects on which the virus may “survive” even for several hours was released, people began to avoid touching door handles and hand rails in different ways. Some pulled their sleeves over their hands, others opened the door using their forearms,” Vladimír Kovařík, head of the Product Design studio at the FMC of TBU in Zlín described the initial idea.
This inspired the designers to construct the gadget. The plastic attachment was developed using 3D technology.
“The development of the product was limited in terms of 3D printing technology; we had to determine the appropriate thickness of the wall; find suitable material from which the handle attachment is printed. Despite the initial problems, when we had to deal with cracking of the handle attachment, we managed to fine-tune everything in a relatively short period, and today we have a fully functional product in two versions – intended both for horizontal and vertical handles,” says Vladimír Kovařík.
The extension piece can be easily fixed to the door handle with cable ties. When entering through the door, one does not need to use his/her palm or fingers at all; the door can be opened simply by pulling the forearm.
The authors of the project have made the data regarding the product freely available to the general public. Thanks to them, anyone can make the tool on their own using a 3D printer. If you do not have it at home, you can use commercial 3D printing services.
If you have access to a 3D printer, feel free to download the data for printing (and share it) and watch the instruction video below.
Files for download:
- File for 3D print: Namadlo.stl (zip)
- Namadlo Infographics (PDF)