Ecolite Crate
A Lighter, Easier to Handle Reusable Beer Crate
Current beer crate designs face a few common issues: they are heavy, uncomfortable to carry, and hard to stack. To address these problems, we used a Grasshopper script inspired by bone growth to model the side profiles of the beer crate, focusing on reducing material while maximizing strength.
Our stress analysis revealed that the corners of the crate experience minimal stress, so by removing them, we not only reduce the weight of the crate but also improve its ergonomics, making it more comfortable to carry in various positions. Based on material weight estimates, the Ecolite Crate is 20% lighter than the best-selling beer crates, reducing transportation costs and lower carbon emissions.
Production Method:
Injection Molded HDPE
Tools and Technologies:
Grasshopper SKO 2D Optimization
Solidworks
Keyshot
Project Type:
2 Person School Project
Partner: Jan Pleser
Timeline:
3 Weeks
(March - April, 2024)
