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Show off your skills and solve real design problems
Casabella challenges you to design a fresh solution to wring the string mops.
Develop a new method to wring a string mop, without the need of a bucket. String mops have been around for a long time. There are basically three ways of squeezing the water out of them: pressing the strings against a basket in a bucket, twisting them or more recently spinning them on a rotating basket in a bucket. We are looking for a innovative way of wringing the strings without the need of a bucket, and different from the current twist mops.
New creative ideas are highly encouraged!
You must include:
- STEP or IGES version
- Rendering
You are encouraged to include:
- STL version
- Native CAD file in any format
- Animation
Winning design will be:
- Match Casabella brand.
- Will provide an innovative, efficient, easy and ergonomic way to wring a string mop, different from what is currently on the market.
- Is simple and manufacturable.
ENTERING THE COMPETITION
The Challenge is open to everyone except employees and families of GrabCAD and the Sponsor. Multiple entries are welcome. Team entries are welcome.
By entering the Challenge you:
1. Accept the official GrabCAD Challenges Terms & Conditions.
2. Agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges (Jury).
3. Warrant that you are eligible to participate.
4. Warrant that the submission is your original work.
5. Warrant, to the best of your knowledge, your work is not, and has not been in production or otherwise previously published or exhibited.
6. Warrant neither the work nor its use infringes the intellectual property rights (whether a patent, utility model, functional design right, aesthetic design right, trademark, copyright or any other intellectual property right) of any other person.
7. Warrant participation shall not constitute employment, assignment or offer of employment or assignment.
8. Are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for any costs.
9. Agree the Sponsor and GrabCAD have the right to promote all entries.
If you think an entry may infringe on existing copyrighted materials, please email challenges@grabcad.com
SUBMITTING AN ENTRY
Only entries uploaded to GrabCAD through the "Submit entry" button on this Challenge page will be considered an entry. Only public entries are eligible.
We encourage teams to use GrabCAD Workbench for developing their entries.
Entries are automatically given the tag "stringmop" when uploading to GrabCAD. Please do not edit or delete this tag. Only entries with valid tag will participate in the Challenge.
AWARDING THE WINNERS
The sum of the Awards is the total gross amount of the reward. The awarded participant is solely liable for the payment of all taxes, duties and other similar measures if imposed on the reward pursuant to the legislation of the country of his/her residence, domicile, citizenship, workplace, or any other criterion of similar nature. Only 1 award per person.
All winners will be contacted by the GrabCAD staff to get their contact information and any other information needed to get the prize to them. Payment of cash awards is made through PayPal. All team awards will be transferred to the member who entered the Challenge.
We will release the finalists before the announcement of the winners to give the Community an opportunity to share their favorites in the comments, discuss concerns, and allow time for any testing or analysis by the Jury. The Jury will take the feedback into consideration when picking the winners.
Winning designs will be chosen based on the Rules and Requirements.
- This Challenge ends on July 6, 2014 (11:59pm UTC).
- Finalists will be announced by July 15, 2014.
- Winners will be announced by July 30, 2014.
Void where prohibited.
Cash awards + Casabella gift certificate + winners may potentially have their designs produced by Casabella and receive royalties
$500 cash + $500 Casabella gift certificate + winners may potentially have their designs produced by Casabella and receive royalties
$350 cash + $350 Casabella gift certificate + winners may potentially have their designs produced by Casabella and receive royalties
$200 cash + $200 Casabella gift certificate + winners may potentially have their designs produced by Casabella and receive royalties
GrabCAD multitool + winners may potentially have their designs produced by Casabella and receive royalties
The judging panel is comprised of industry leaders, experts, and innovators in a range of fields from Casabella.
The origins of Casabella date back to 1985 when Bruce Kaminstein was managing his family’s hardware store in New York City. The neighborhood was gentrifying and Bruce was seeking new exciting products to sell to the changing clientele. While vacationing in Italy he visited a housewares trade show and fell in love…with a mop. It was a basic item, but well designed and made with high quality materials. He decided to buy a 20 foot container. Somehow it showed up at the store 6 months later and the product was a huge success.
That recipe: commodity product, beautiful design and high quality workmanship laid the foundation for Casabella’s consistent growth and market leadership
Today Casabella operates out of a 100,000 square foot building in Rockland County, NY about 40 minutes north of Manhattan. We design products in-house and manufacture worldwide. Casabella cleaning tools, kitchen and bath accessories and organizing products have received numerous design awards and industry recognition. They can be purchased at retail stores throughout the U.S. as well as internationally and on the web.
Sara Sigel
Bruce Kaminstein
Michael Cohen
Flavio De Roma LeaoHave an awesome idea for this competition? Want to win cool prizes? Sign-up now to upload your entries.
54 comments
Tommy Mueller over 11 years ago
Cool! Simple but interesting challenge!
Time to 'mop' up the competition!! ;)
bj over 11 years ago
Great challenge!
What do you mean with "wringing the strings without the need of a bucket"?
Do you mean, without the help of a device in the bucket or do you mean wringing action without a bucket at all (where to leave the unwanted water?).
Looking forward to see many different solutions.
The Ultimaker over 11 years ago
@ Tommy, LOL nice. I`m gonna wipe the floor with you!
The Ultimaker over 11 years ago
@bj You would still use a bucket, but the wringing of the strings would be part of the mop itself, similar to the picture top left... i believe!
Kamen Rusev over 11 years ago
you guys want miracles here :) OK..... here we go :)
Tom Craven over 11 years ago
Thinking outside the box on this one! Got the idea, just need to develop and style it. Looking forward to entering this one!!
Mohammad Amin Khorasanchi over 11 years ago
i wish i could participate in these challenges!but i think im not ready right know.d
Michael Cohen over 11 years ago
Yes Ultimaker, you are right. The idea is that the wringing mechanism is part of the mop itself, not a basket in a bucket or some other external devise. The mop should be able to do it by itself, without the need of a bucket or anything else. Also we would like to see a mechanical solution, not electric. Thanks to all for participating! Good luck!
thinkin3D over 11 years ago
Would this product be targeting home use, or commercial
Flavio De Roma Leao over 11 years ago
This product would be for home use only.
Alberto Sanchez Garza over 11 years ago
Do you have an average production cost?
Flavio De Roma Leao over 11 years ago
The production cost should be around US$ 3.00.-
bj over 11 years ago
What will be the selling price and what car are you driving Flavio?
Flavio De Roma Leao over 11 years ago
The selling price may vary depending on the country of manufacture and the retailer. And I drive a Subaru... I live in NY, so you need the 4 wheel drive for the snow.
Andre Leal over 11 years ago
I'm finishing, I'll post my model in next few days. :-)
A0I0A over 11 years ago
Please, a little confused...
You, Casabella said and i quote... "There are basically three ways of squeezing the water out of them: (1) pressing the strings against a basket in a bucket, (2) twisting them or more recently (3) spinning them on a rotating basket in a bucket."
So, what are we supposed to do? Design a new method different from the above three methods or modify method (2) (twisting them) to create a new twisting method different from the existing methods????
Flavio De Roma Leao over 11 years ago
Yes A010A, we expect you guys to come up either with a different method of the three ones you just mentioned, or create a variation of one of them in a way that has not been done yet or that not exists on the market. That's the challenge!
Gavin Peters over 11 years ago
Hi Casabella, You have stated a cost of around US$ 3.00 for manufacturing costs. Does this exclude the standard string mop head, a simple handle and connecting component(s)? If not can you suggest a cost for these? For all components, I cannot check costing figures accurately because I will not be getting quotations and I do not have a good engineering feel for US manufacturing costs. Can you estimate the sales volume per annum so we can select cost-effective manufacturing methods in our designs? Thank You.
sajjad zandi over 11 years ago
Hello everyone. It's a good challenge. Good luck
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
@6a703f68 I fixed this for you. You removed the Challenge tag which makes your entry visible in the entries tab. It's back and viewable now!
Flavio De Roma Leao over 11 years ago
Hi Gavin. Don't worry so much with the cost of the product right now. We are more interested in your creativity an how you will solve the technical challenge. If your idea works and you win the challenge then we will work out the costing details if it comes to market.
Ridwan Sept over 11 years ago
@Sara Sigel at the last hour I tried to upload my IGES files but I've got problem there, why I can't upload my IGES files for this entry now?? please help me to solve this
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
@Ridwan Septyawan I'll follow-up via email with you
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
Finalists are announced!
http://grabcad.com/challenges/wring-the-string-mop-challenge/results
.
Thanks to everyone who participated! We believe these entries are the best solutions based on our needs. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Andre Leal over 11 years ago
Congratulations to the finalists ! I wish my Mariana's Mop was there too, but that's ok. Let's go for the next challenge. :-)
ANOUAR BARODI over 11 years ago
Congrats to all Participants and finalists! thanks CASABELLA & GrabCAD, for this lovely Challenge!
Vedran Martinek over 11 years ago
Congratulations to everyone that participated and to ones that were chosen to be finalists.
Yauhen over 11 years ago
Thanks to everyone and congratulations!
2 Andre Leal: I also liked Mariana mop very much...
sajjad zandi over 11 years ago
Congratulations to everyone .thanks CASABELLA and grabcad
Andre Leal over 11 years ago
Thank you Yauhen ! :-)
Master3D over 11 years ago
Guys! All entries are winners!!. The problems is: you don't know that, the company is so happy for all the excellent models. This was a super good deal. It good to have a free community of genius, engineers and 3d designers working hard in the challenges solving potential problems. Keep going guys!! Maybe , maybe in a future challenge the unfortunate ones will become fortunate ones! .. Just you all need to work more harder to win those fabulous and juicy prizes.
Luka B. over 11 years ago
@dr h, I don't know what models you have in mind but as far as I understand this challenge, the main point here is the idea, the mechanism, not the actual 3D model. Engineers working for casabella will probably just take a mechanism or a feature of someones idea and use it in their model and that is probably what casabella had in mind. They probably won't directly use a model that somebody made it here on grabCAD and start manufacturing it right away. Maybe I am wrong, but this mentality always worked for me.
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
You're correct - we do our best to outline what the winning design will be in the Requirements. This one was all about simple ideas for a wringing mechanism. To shed some more light on my role in Challenge selection, I:
- Relay my advice to the jury based on past experience with Challenges
- Help members upload their entries and follow requirements and rules
- Help organize the process of selection for the jury
- Make sure the entries that make it as finalists have met requirements (uploaded the right stuff which changes from Challenge to Challenge but is mostly adding a rendering and STEP or IGS version.
- Make sure the members awarded a finalist position only appear once, for one entry.
Feel free to email at sara@grabcad.com with more questions on that. Otherwise let's get this discussion back to which entry you like to win.
Yauhen over 11 years ago
well the jury are skapegoats always :) well... I wrote in another challenge also very impulsive message and now I know how it looks from the other side. Let´s just concentrate on the idea if we participate in the challenges that because we like 3d modeling - and this is the best ;) you do not really need any reward or recognition when you do what you like.
sajjad zandi over 11 years ago
Mrs. sara . this is correct . all finalist not animation &...... Just the 3d model .Should. they Showed how do works model in software (mechanism animation ) . How do humans adapt to(ergonomic) .The model is designed for What the percentile ? Comfort Assessment setup based on what conditions ( Portrer 1998) & ( Dreyfus 2D or Dreyfus 3D) & .. ? These are not considered. I've done these things, but did not any attention
jamie over 11 years ago
im sure adding an animation was not part of the requirements - why are you bringing this up, most people have clearly stated how their design works through images.
Also Sara does a great job on grabcad - always making sure people upload the required documentation etc. So why not let her have a say when judging. Im sure she has gained some good engineering skills after working on grabcad. And she has an opinion just like the rest of us.
You entered this challenge on the basis that you might not get picked / win, thats what this is a competition - if you dont like the rules - DONT ENTER. Simple as that.
sajjad zandi over 11 years ago
Mr.jamie please read the top of the page ( Requirements ) at the top of the page .What you're saying ? I will not say anything about Sara .Everyone knows his abilities better than others.I also thank him . But these cases should consider !!! You can not tell me or others don't enter in the contest.! Unless this is your site . 1-The price of the model you are completely wrong. why!? please opne model in solid works & select costing & choose materials & Choose unit of currency .... See what is different.!!!! . I did not want to say. You wanted It is. I write with evidence and documents & Not Pathetic . 2 - Also your model with studies Dreyfus (2D &3D) & Porter does not jibe (The handle) .Let the jury know . What do you think ?. 3 -Even in the PLM. (NX software ) is a violation of the Molding part &
price . 4 your models Matched studies Rebiffe 1962 . See what is different & Thereto: THE Design not only just 3d model
SARA Where are you?
Ignasi Sagré over 11 years ago
I would like to say some things related to Sajjad's comments..
First of all, theres a huge difference between "you must include" and "you are encouraged to add" step or iges files and renderings have to be included whilst animations is up to your choice! The more the better! Not everybody has enough 3d animation experience as you! I personally try to explain my projects with renderings and comments, as learning how to animate a 3d model is in my checklist of things to do this summer.
Second, as someone said before, the designs submitted will be probably used as concepts, being validated/modified as casabella engineering team considers to match their needs relating to materials, costs, and so on.
Yeah, i know that there are probably some things in my model that have to be solved, and the same happens with other participants designs.. But hey, ive got a live out of grabcad contests, tons of exams and work from the university and im also trying to run my own business which takes a lot of time! So i cant spend all the day working on my contests entries (what would be great, as i have enjoyed this challenges a lot and the other participants probably would say the same)
This is not a job for me, but a hobbie, 3d modelling is what i enjoy the most in this world, and this contests give me not just the chance to evolve my skills and make my brain explode trying to reinvent the wheel but also the opportunity to see how people from all around the world have solved the same problem! Its an incredible opportunity to learn and become a much more complete designer, for FREE! And thats why i want to say thanks to all of you!
jamie over 11 years ago
Sajjad I don't mean to be rude but I can't even make any sense out of your comment! If I'm correct I think that your saying that my costing is wrong for my model I uploaded, and that you rely on solid works to cost your models correctly? First of all I would like to say that I would never use solid works as a costing tool this part of the program is completely unrealistic. Also I will repeat what I said when I uploaded my model and typed in the description that the costs were off the top of my head and not to be taken accurately. Anyway this is irrelevant to the challenge, I would like to bring to your attention though that Sara is female, not male. I agree with everything ignasi has said, if you have time to do more and add animation … go for it, but it still doesn't mean you deserve to win just because of the amount of work you have done. It still had to be a feasible and good design for the company parting with their cash to give you the main prize. This isn't NASA its a bit of fun.
Pouriya over 11 years ago
@Sajjad
I my self in some of challenge have thought they choose the winner in wrong way but after some challenge I understood it is not my opinion on winners it is their right to choose the best thing for THEMSELVES even if my model is better (Depend on some ideas and even for other company).And lets face it if you (we) win some challenges and we our self know the model is not as good as some entry that are not in winners would we tell our model is not good?! And please change the winner?
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
@6a703f68 I'm not sure what promotions Casabella has in store for the winning designs. There isn't anything built into the awards so maybe that's something the designer and the Casabella team can brainstorm.
Grumpy over 11 years ago
Publicity would be great indeed !
As for the previous raging comments, I guess I'm a bit biased given that I got into the finalists, but I agree with what has been said, animation is great to add if you have the skills and time, but it's wasn't a requirement. I have no doubts Casabella team can figure out how it works without a demonstration. Personally I'd rather have a great idea doodled on a bar napkin rather than a 3D top notch animation of an average idea. As for my entry despite trying to do my best to get as closed as a finished product as I could, my main objective was to convey the concept and I guess if anything I managed that.
Like probably everyone, I looked at the other entries and I have to say I saw great ones, yes Gregory J. Peck I'm talking to you amongst others! You get my vote for creativity and innovation! But also some of them didn't really made much sense to me, as I couldn't figure out how they actually functioned from what was given. I'm not talking about anyone specific and haven't tried to match the name of the unhappy contestants to entries nor i'm criticising their work, as again I don't know which it is.
I think you just have to be happy to give a your brain a work out and created something. I doubt I'll make the final cut to be honest, but I'm glad I actually came up with something that was worth "sort of' presenting and take with me the additional experience I gained and the happy memories of working on it.
Good luck to all !
Luka B. over 11 years ago
Well I don't really know why would it even matter what we think about the choices of the judges. I mean they're hosting the competition, they represent the industry which is financially supporting this competition and it is their call what is for them a useful invention and what isn't. I took a part on several competitions, was also among the winners and non-winners and sure, sometimes you really expect to make it to the finals and in the end you don't make it, but sometimes you don't expect anything and you come in the top 3. That's just how life and also this CAD designing competitions go and if you like it or if you don't, in the end it doesn't even matter.
And the whole debate about the animation and the actual finish of CAD model (how close do you get with your design to make it as ready to be produced as possible)... Animation wasn't required, but I think it should be taken into account because for a simple animation you dont really need any skills, you can just take a few screenshots and make a GIF, but it surely takes you a few hours more then if you wouldn't make any animation. And for the second part about the "product ready to be manufactured completeness"... I'm not very experienced yet if I compare myself to some of you guys (like gregory J. peck), but I do have a job and I do know that even in relatively simple projects likes designing a mop, it is almost impossible that one guy would do the whole design and everything. And thinking that it isn't fair that some of designers came in to the finals despite that their designs were incomplete is just naive. On a project like this Casabella has probably a few people working, to make the calculations, the design and in the end also the tools to mold the plastic parts and everything. And plastic products are several times in the end modified to make them easier to make or to ease the production of the molding tools. So if people haven't found out yet that what they are searching here are creative ideas and suggestions and not ready to be made products, then it will be hard for them to make it to any finals in the upcoming competitions. Ofcourse the competition are different, some are more design oriented, others more mechanically but again, it is the idea and the principle that is mostly important - that is my point of view.
Regards
Grumpy over 11 years ago
Congrats to the winner ! Hopefully we will soon see your designs on the market !
Sara Sigel over 11 years ago
Winners are announced! Congratulations!!!
http://grabcad.com/challenges/wring-the-string-mop-challenge/results
Andre Leal over 11 years ago
Congratulations to all ! It was very nice to participate.
Stefan Gales over 11 years ago
Thank you Casabella . Thank you GrabCAD. It is a great honor for me . Congrats to all !
Vedran Martinek over 11 years ago
I would like to thank Casabella and GrabCAD for this great challenge and for choosing my work as 2nd place winner. Congratulations to everyone that participated and congratulations to Stefan Gales, the winner of this competition.
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