Lifesaving Utility Wheelbarrow Mitigating and improving the experience and risks during urban floods. Designed by student designers Lachlan Meadows and Hugh McKay of Swinburne University of Technology of Melbourne – Australia
Rotational moulding was the best manufacturing process to achieve a hollow body for buoyancy purposes.
Students at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia were up to the task when asked to design a product to mitigate the risks or improve the experience during urban flooding. The idea for the design formed from heavy research into the needs of residents living in parts of the world effected by frequent flooding (3-5 times a year). The key needs and problems to be addressed included: • Keep people out of contaminated floodwaters • Keep valuable belongings dry and safe • Provide people who stay at home during dangerous floods with a means to transport possessions through floodwaters • Evacuation of elderly and children, keeping them out of floodwaters • Maintain work during floods lasting for weeks as many work at local markets but cannot get their vendor cart through floodwaters • Assist clean-up efforts due to a large amount of debris left after the flood and rubbish clogging drains before the flood
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equivalent buoyant force even if the barrow fills with water Removable handles for storage and transportation 4 guide rings used to support a shelter for use as a market stall 4mm High Density Polyethylene - Durable - Impact resistance - Abrasion resistance - UV resistance - Chemical and solvent resistance
Rotational moulding was the best manufacturing process to achieve a hollow body for buoyancy purposes, while allowing the design to feature strong yet organic forms, much like a Kayak. The material used will be high density polyethylene. There is currently a prototype of the Utility Wheelbarrow and the students will be seeking manufacturing partners in the next 6 months. The lifesaving Utility Wheelbarrow is a finalist in the James Dyson Award Competition. swinburne.edu.au
The Utility Wheelbarrow was born from these basic needs, and while storage space was precious, having multiple uses all year around means the space is not wasted. The features of the Utility Wheelbarrow include the following: • 120L tray, used for standard loading as a wheelbarrow • Balanced weighting to sit level in deep water with user seated inside • An internal tray shape to comfortably sit 95th percent of users • Hollow buoyant body capable of supporting up to 300kg on the water • Hollow interior provides 200kg 2017 ARMO Rotational Moulding Product Showcase
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