Design and development of 3D printed measuring cups for household applications

Abstract

Abstract This study designs a new measuring cup to measure the required amount of ingredients for dish preparation. The main goal is to design a sustainable, efficient, and economic product based on user requirements. The measuring cup usage problems and requirements are first collected through two phases of survey – preliminary survey to prepare a questionnaire and main survey to establish design goals based on questionnaire responses. After survey analysis, a new measuring cup is designed through a series of three iterations. Computer Aided Design (CAD) models and 3D printed prototypes are used for the design iterations. The redesigned cup measures both dry ingredients and liquid ingredients. The handle is designed to offer good grip strength and comfort and the redesigned cup has a single cup body that provides the standard measuring options of 1 cup, ½ cup, 3/4th cup, 1/4th cup, 1/8th cup, 1/3rd cup and 2/3rd cup. The single body replaces the multiple measuring cups offered by typical measuring cup set thereby reducing the number of equipment required and the washing time after usage.