Fooblo

Air Food Scraper

4 Weeks

Tools

Rhino-3D, Solidworks, 3D-printing, Arduino

Project Overview

Fooblo is a food disposal system that utilizes compressed air to remove food scraps. Instead of relying on physical tools or water, it uses airflow to efficiently clean plates. This not only provides convenience for users but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing water usage and eliminating the need for manual scraping.

research

Observational research

Spending about 30 minutes in the Portfolio Café at RISD, the designated target location for Fooblo, I carefully observed and documented students' behavioral patterns. This observation allowed me to assess the need for implementing a new system.

Students’ improper food disposal causes us to waste a lot of water every day

by Donna l Dining Staff l RISD

Interview

During an interview with Donna, it was noted that many students were not properly disposing of their food scraps. Additionally, concerns were raised about the pre-wash process, particularly its excessive water usage and cumbersome nature.

persona

Profile

Name : Eric
Age : 23
Pronouns : He/Him
Interest : Drawing, Watching Netflix
Spending : $700/Month

Bio

Eric, a student at RISD who lives in 15 West, visits Portfolio Café over 12 times a week. He often brings too much food, served in bowls, resulting in leftovers. Disposing of these leftovers is inconvenient, as he has to scrape them off using a fork or spoon onto the trash bin shelf.

Pain Point

• Scraping leftovers off plate is inconvenient
• He dropped a fork while scraping food
‍

Needs

• An easier solution for scraping leftover food scraps.
• An alternative tool for scraping food without using physical tools

User scenario - Student

By using Fooblo, the students can drastically reduce the effort and time spent cleaning up, allowing them to get to their next class without delay.

Profile

Name : Michael
Age : 57
Pronouns : He/His
Interest : Cycling, Fishing
Spending : $1000 / month

Bio

Michael works as dining staff at the RISD Portfolio Café, where his main responsibility is washing dishes. He finds it frustrating to deal with food scraps that aren’t fully removed, which can cause drain blockages. Additionally, Michael believes the dishwashing process uses an excessive amount of water.

Pain Point

• Too many food scraps remain on the dishes.
• Excessive water is used to clean the dishes.
• Food scraps frequently block the drain.

Needs

• Ensure most food scraps are removed before washing the dishes.
• water-saving method to reduce excessive water usage during dishwashing.

User scenario - Faculty

By using Fooblo to remove food scraps effectively, the cafeteria staff in charge of dishwashing no longer needs to rinse dishes before machine washing. This not only cuts down on their workload but also significantly reduces water usage.

User Journey

Experience with Fooblo

This is the journey of Eric, a Portfolio Café customer, and Michael, a staff member. Fooblo streamlines the food disposal process for both Eric and Michael, saving them time and effort while also promoting water conservation.

Idea sketch

Style reference

I aimed to create a simple product that would blend well into any cafeteria. Accordingly, the chosen reference features a simple shape and color scheme, comprised primarily of two body components.

Form exploration

The sketches evolved as I combined elements from reference images and existing airflow-generating products—such as graphics cards and hair dryers—to shape the final design.

Concept Validation

Low-fidelity testing

Tested the effectiveness of the Conair 247B hairdryer in removing food particles using airflow and determined the required airflow. I found that airflow stronger than 30–50 CFM is necessary.

BLDC RC aviation motor

To achieve stronger airflow, I prioritized using a powerful and durable BLDC motor designed for remote-controlled airplanes. However, while it generated strong thrust, it failed to create a denser airflow. This revealed the need to improve the blade design.

Optimized impeller blade for Fooblo

I significantly improved performance and was able to generate sufficient force through narrow openings, compared to the standard blade shape. The specially optimized blade was designed using SOLIDWORKS Simulation and 3D printing, allowing for a design that maximized airflow efficiency for Fooblo, ensuring optimal performance.

Test blade

The blade design was molded to fit the actual BLDC motor, and testing was conducted by 3D printing the blades.

prototype

User testing

I observed how users interacted with the product without any additional explanations, and used the feedback and observations gathered to further develop the design.

Prototype development

Based on the sketches, the prototype was created using laser cutting so that the final product's scale and shape could be preserved as much as possible, while keeping the design and fabrication process simple.

Final design model

The final design model is simple yet actively incorporates user feedback. The centrally placed hole not only enhances the visual appeal but also allows users to see their food being properly cleaned, providing both form and function.

Work-like model

For the fully functional model, the placement of all components was carefully considered, and an accurate and aesthetically refined model was produced using LCD printing technology.

exploded view

Ingeniously designed layout

Strategically placed components ensure real-world functionality, with the floor-level inlet effectively preventing food scraps from being drawn in by gravity. This thoughtful design maximizes efficiency by minimizing unwanted obstructions, ensuring smooth operation in real-world conditions.

branding

Logo design

The logo was designed to align with both the form and concept of the product, "Fooblo."

images

Contact

sseo@risd.edu