Design of a lightweight toothbrush with low environmental impact

Abstract: The work presented in this report investigates how a toothbrush can be designed to be lightweight and at the same time fast to manufacture. If a low weight and short manufacturing time can be obtained, several other advantages can be had, such as reduced carbon dioxide footprint, less need of material, and more cost-efficient manufacturing. With the help of Ulrich and Eppinger’s product development process a large number of different concepts have been developed and analyzed. The concepts have been created in different ways, mostly with the focus on reaching a concept with low weight. To test the concepts, mold flow simulations have been carried out. By using mold flow simulations, it was possible to identify future potential problems and find solutions for the problems. 3D-printed prototypes have also played an important part of the project. Test persons have evaluated the prototypes and indicated problems which not would have been noticed otherwise. To validate that the new concept will fulfill the objectives, LCA-analyses have been performed. As a reference object, TePe Select toothbrush have been used. The new concept fulfills the objectives and reduces the weight, compared to TePe Select, by 50% and the filling and cooling times by 66 percent.