This socio-technic engagement was developed in collaboration with various production professionals as well as Social Scientist student's from UJ's Soweto campus. The aim of this design investigation was to reiterate the historic evaporative cooling technology of the 'Zeer' pot originated in Africa. In an attempt to develop a more transportable and durable cooler, the original ceramic and soil design was replaced with a polymer shell and varying synthetic material fillers. This approach managed to reduce the average temperature by approx. 8 degrees, extending market produce life by 2 to 3 days. This investigation was limited by the time and resources of a 4 month Industrial Design BTech brief. Findings however, recommend revising the material indexes to achieve the approximate 7 degree Celsius conditions of the original 'Zeer' pot with alternate approaches to manufacture, durability and transport to markets. Further experimentation is underway to revise the earthenware material applications in combination with high-tech upgrade options to make the product more appropriate for medium business owners and open access paths for small farmers to expand this technology easily.
manufacturing drawings for rotational moulding with in-moulded brass inserts
MDF MOULDS CNCed FOR VACUUM FORMING OF FIRST PROTOTYPE IN ABS PLASTIC
WATER SAVING DEMONSTRATION
This research was supported by a primary source of funding awarded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa science and innovation scholarship for an Honours/BTech study. This work is also based on the research supported in part by the NRF for the Thuthuka grants held by Angus D. Campbell titled Designing Development: An Exploration of Technology Innovation by Small-scale Urban Farmers in Johannesburg and by Dr. Naude' Malan titled Innovation in the Soweto Food System: Engaging with Soweto Agriculture. Any opinion, finding and conclusion or recommendation expressed in this material is that of the authors and the NRF does not accept any liability in this regard.
PATENT
Tofas, N., Campbell, A.D., & Malan, N. 2014. Food Storage System, ZA Provisional Patent 2014/08761.
Tofas, N., Campbell, A.D., & Malan, N. 2014. Food Storage System, ZA Provisional Patent 2014/08761.
