Investigation of Factors Influencing Ergonomic Characteristics of Water Bottle Handles

Increasingly competitive market environment pushes products and their packaging to meet functional and aesthetic requirements and expectations of consumers. Ergonomic features are one of the most important features for fulfilling consumer expectations and achieving a satisfying user experience. Drinking water in retail is commonly packaged in PET bottles ranging from 0.2 up to 6 litres. The weight of the 6-litre bottle is roughly 6 kilos which can produce strain on the hand while carried from the place of purchase to the place of usage. The goal of this research was to investigate the influence of water bottle handles and to determine how much does handle length, width, and curvature of the grip\u27s edges affect the comfort of product use. This research presents objective experimental measurements and subjective judgment regarding ergonomic characteristics of the 5-6 litre water bottle handles, based on the variations in their shape and dimensions

The heavy metals in the processing screen printing inks

The contents of heavy metals were analyzed in the two types (solvent-based and water-based) of processing screen printing inks. Mass concentrations of heavy metals (copper, iron, zinc, manganese, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and lead) were determined in the tested screen inks by combining the gravimetric method and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results indicated that the measured mass concentration of copper (2049.9 mg kg-1 ) in solvent-based cyan ink is 2.4 times higher than in water-based cyan. Other detected metals show higher concentration values with water-based processing inks

Consistency analysis of mechanical properties of elements produced by FDM additive manufacturing technology

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology refers to the process of producing 3D objects by adding material insuccessive layers. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the AM technologies where objects are builtby adding layers of melted thermoplastic filament onto the printing surface. Mechanical properties of FDMprinted part depend on many influencing factors such as material composition, extruding temperature,printing parameters and environment temperature.The aim of this study was to investigate consistency of mechanical properties of elements produced by FDMadditive manufacturing technology. To do so, mechanical tensile and compression tests were conducted onten samples using polylactic acid (PLA) and ten samples using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)thermoplastic material. Tensile tests were conducted using Shimadzu Compact Tabletop Testing MachineEZ-LX and the compression tests were done using VEB ZDM 5/91 testing machine. The ultimate tensilestrength, strain, Young modulus and compression yield strength values were analyzed. The ABSthermoplastic material showed greater consistency in mechanical properties during tensile tests. Tensilestrength values for PLA material varied between samples thus showing greater inconsistency in repeatabilityof mechanical properties. Compression tests, on the other hand, showed that PLA samples had greaterconsistency in mechanical properties compared to ABS samples.Keywords: additive manufacturing, FDM, mechanical properties

Characterisation of manufacturing parameters of embossing dies produced by 3D printing technique

U disertaciji su predstavljena istraživanja uticajnih parametara u procesu izrade alata za utiskivanje tehnikom aditivne proizvodnje, tačnije tehnikom deponovanja istopljenog materijala (FDM). Izrađena je kontrolna grupa alata za utiskivanje konvencionalnom tehnikom hemijskog nagrizanja i SLA tehnikom 3D štampe. Cilj istraživanja je definisanje optimalnih procesnih parametara izrade alata za utiskivanje FDM tehnikom štampe. Ustanovljena je metodologija za karakterizaciju proizvodnih parametara koja se može primeniti na ostale tehnike aditivne proizvodnje. Analizom dobijenih rezultata i zaključaka istraživanja ustanovljena su ograničenja i mogućnosti zamene konvencionalnih alata za utiskivanje alatima izrađenim tehnikama 3D štampe.The study of the influencing parameters in the production process of embossing dies using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) additive manufacturing technique, was investigated in this dissertation. Embossing dies, produced using conventional chemical etching and vat photopolymerization technique, were developed as a control group. This research aims to define the optimal process parameters of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) in embossing dies manufacturing. A new methodology for the characterisation of production parameters, which can be applied to other additive production techniques, has been established. By analysing the results and the conclusions of this research, the possibility of replacing conventional embossing dies produced using 3D printing techniques has been established as well as its limitations

Differences in screen printed letter shapes and stem widths on various textile materials

In the process of preparing graphic products for printing, it is essential to be familiar with the printing technique which is to be used. In order to achieve maximum printing quality in the printing process, in addition to knowing the printing technique, it is necessary to know how to prepare text and images. Proper font generation process facilitates further usage of text in preparation of printed page. This paper will present the research findings concerning the distortion in shape and stem widths letters undergo when printed with screen printing technique on three kinds of textile material. What is examined first is the quality of the text printed on untreated cotton, used for eco bags manufacturing, then on the cotton commonly used for T-shirts production, and finally, on the polyester material. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there are differences in letter shape and stem widths after they are screen printed on textile, and if there are differences, to quantitatively determine the value of these differences, in order to make certain corrections in the preparation process of the text for printing, or even earlier, in the font generation process. Printed examples on the textile have been scanned and compared with the original .pdf file, and the analyses have been done using the image processing software ImageJ

Font hinting techniques and the importance of applying these techniques for high-quality display of fonts on the output device screen

In the era of contemporary and rapid way of life and with advancing digital technology, the display of electroniccontent on different types of portable devices becomes a part of everyday life. Whether it is on the screen of a TabletPC, mobile phone or e-book reader, the font needs to be designed in such a way that the displayed message isreceived and understood as easy and efficiently as possible.When it comes to digital font, intended for display on screen, it is necessary to take into account the properties ofthe output device and font size to be used. Since the text is intended for display on small screens (especially in caseof portable devices), the used font should be adapted to such conditions, namely, it should be designed so as to bereadable and legible even at small sizes and at different resolutions of the device.The integral part of contemporary outline fonts are additional instructions on how rasterizer is to render letters atlower resolutions and lower font sizes. These instructions are known as hints, or hint mechanisms, and the processof defining these instructions is called hinting.The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the issues of the display of small sizes fontson screen. The paper will also elaborate the hinting techniques with emphasis on TrueType hint mechanisms that aremost suitable for high-quality display on the output device screen, as well as some methods of automatic hinting.Theoretical basis introduced here, represent foundation on which further exploration will lay on. It is important forbroadening the knowledge in the field of rasterization and automatic hinting but also for finding new solutions forthe simpler and better hinting

Sidebearings analysis of alphabet letters with complex shape

Defining inter-letter space is important part of typeface designing process. The purpose of defining the letter space is to make them visually equally distant from each other within words, sentences and paragraphs creating an even value of grey, without darker or lighter areas. Different approaches for determining letter space were developed in order to facilitate this demanding process. Miguel Sousa (2006) and Walter Tracy (2003) proposes their spacing methods and in paper of De Melo Vargas (2007) and our previous work (Banjanin & Nedeljković, 2014) these methods were tested. The problems occur when defining space around letters a, f, g, s, t, z, and S, for which neither Sousa nor Tracy propose any kind of guidelines (except visual). The aim of this paper is to measure and analyse spacing values for these letters and to see if there is some kind of “formula” or some kind of guidelines which will broaden existing methods in more accurate way. We measured left and right sidebearings of these 7 problematic letters and established additional guidelines for defining letter space of those letters more accurately

Performance evaluation of paper embossing tools produced by fused deposition modelling additive manufacturing technology

From its beginnings, up to a few years ago, additive manufacturing technology was able to produce models or prototypes which have limited use, because of materials mechanical properties. With advancement and invention of new materials, this is changing. Now, it is possible to create 3D prints that can be used as final products or functional tools, using technology and materials with low environmental impact. The goal of this study was to examine opportunities for production of paper embossing tools by fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing. This study emphasises the use of environmentally friendly poly-lactic acid (PLA) materials in FDM technology, contrary to the conventional method using metal alloys and acids. Embossing of line elements and letters using 3D printed embossing tools was done on six different types of paper. Embossing force was applied using SHIMADZU EZ-LX Compact Tabletop Testing Machine. Each type of paper was repeatedly embossed using different values of embossing force (in 250 N increments, starting at 1000 N) to determine the optimal embossing force for each specific paper type. When determined, the optimal embossing force was used on ten samples for each paper type. Results of embossing were analysed and evaluated. The analysis consisted of investigating the effects of the applied embossing force and characteristics such as paper basis weight, paper structure, surface characteristic and fibre direction of the paper. Results show that paper characteristics determine the embossing force required for achieving a good embossing result. This means that with the right amount of embossing force, letters and borderlines can be equally well formed by the embossing process regardless of paper weight, surface characteristics, etc. Embossing tools produced in this manner can be used in case of the embossing elements that are not complex. The reason for this is the limitation of FDM technology and lack of precision needed for fine details. However, if the form is simple enough, results of pleasing quality can easily be achieved

The analysis of ink jet printed eco-font efficiency

Utilization of eco-font for office printing is one of sustainable, “green” printing concepts, which besides obvious economic benefits, as a result has a certain effect on environmental sustainability as well. The fundamental problem that this practice faces is decreased quality of text printed using eco-fonts comparing to those printed with regular fonts. The aim of this research is eco-font efficiency estimation, i.e. determination of toner usage reduction level of ink jet printed documents typed with this font type, as well as estimation of the extent humans perceive differences between text printed with eco-font and the one printed by its „non-eco“ equivalent. Combining instrumental measuring method and digital image analysis, it was found that this simple principle (eco-font utilization) enables substantial toner usage reduction for an ink jet printing system, while visual test showed that visual experience of text printed using eco-font is sufficient. In addition, awareness of benefits that eco-font utilization brings, change users’ attitude towards eco-font quality

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable cellulose acetate-based films with novel plasticizer obtained by polyethylene terephthalate glycolysis intended for active packaging

An active packaging based on the composite film was developed by incorporation of oregano oil as an antimicrobial agent into a cellulose acetate/polycaprolactone diol blend (CA/PCL-diol). A novel plasticizer based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glycolysis product (bis(hydroxyethyl terephthalate)) and tartaric acid was synthesized and its influence on the structural, surface, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties were investigated. The obtained results have shown that plasticizer also has a compatibilizing effect, improving the miscibility of polymers in a blend. A sample with the optimal amount of plasticizer (30 wt%), as well as the best mechanical and barrier properties, was used for the preparation of series with different amounts of oregano oil (3, 6, and 9 wt%). The synthesized azo dye—5-(4-bromo-phenyl azo)-3-amido-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pyridone, soluble in acetone, as well as a blend and plasticizer, has been shown as an adequate one for this composition, due to its ability to achieve a good pigmentation in a low amount (0.3 wt% per polymer blend weight), to absorb UV light, and decrease the aging of the material. Contemporary lifestyle has imposed a need for ready-to-eat (RTE) meals which saves consumers time. RTE food packaging should meet certain requirements such as the ability to prolong shelf-life and preserve the freshness of the food product, and at the same time to make a minimal amount of waste after usage, considering the fact that it is mostly single-use plastic food packaging. Optimal mechanical properties, biodegradability, and additional functions make these films suitable for the packaging of ready-to-eat (RTE) food such as fresh salad