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Students design with high-performance foams

A Zotefoams product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 15, 2006

Zotefoams teamed up with the design award winning London South Bank University and challenged over 50 design engineering students to produce a "wearable product".

Zotefoams was conscious that many aspiring engineering designers are not exposed to the unique properties of these high performance foams.

The growing use of these materials: from aerospace to automotive, packaging to personal protection and is only limited by the imagination of the designers.

In response, Zotefoams teamed up with the design award winning London South Bank University and challenged over 50 design engineering students to produce a "wearable product".

Following a full introduction to Zotefoams, the students visited Kewell convertors of Redhill at the concept stage to see how foam is converted using numerous techniques including water jet cutting and thermoforming.

Students took full advantage of Nick Kewell's expertise to be advised on the practicalities and best methods to produce their designs.

50 innovative products were developed to the prototype stage including baby carriers, seat belts for mums-to-be, plus a variety of sports protection products.

The judging panel, including Nick Kewell, shortlisted 10 designs for examination before selecting the winners.

Alistair Eady was awarded third prize for his cricket bag using Plastazote for a wickets support mechanism.

Second prize went to Joe Ross for his baby bath float with integral toys.

Overall winner was Jason Thong for Wrist Wrangler - an elegant, easy to use, quick splint for broken wrists.

Thong, a sports product design degree student, used his knowledge in biomechanics plus manufacturing technology to combine the stiff HD30 foam with a softer EM26 to create an effective support for first aid and rehabilitation.

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