Paper Shredder

Trouble Shredder

Parametric Modeling, LaserCutting, 3D Printing, Casting , Mass Production

In designing my "Trouble Shredder," I was seeking an outlet to vent frustrations in a healthy manner without being plagued by any lingering negativity. The shredder comes with a set of postcards used to hold the user's troubles to be shredded. I wanted the user to focus on the cute aesthetics and bright colors when inserting their postcard to drown out the negative emotions captured within.

After the postcard is shredded, the transparent storage compartment housing all the troubles allows the user to still look into and reflect on the troubles they were afflicted by; however, the positive atmosphere radiated by the "Trouble Shredder" encourages the user to approach these feelings with a more cheery outlook.

(2022)

Fabrication Process Overview

Epoxy Spray-painted Outer Shell

The outer shell was first modeled in Rhino and then 3d printed. A three-part silicone negative mold was made from the printed model, and the resin outer shell was subsequently made from the silicone mold. After sanding the surface of the outer shell, it was primed and spraypainted. Finally, the face was added with acrylic marker.
Customized Lasercut Acrylic Box

The gear pattern on the box was designed in Rhino. This pattern was etched onto two faces of the box with a lasercutter. The connector piece between the outer shell and the acrylic box creates a snap-fit. This snap-fit not only prevents the box from detaching while in use, but also allows users to take the shredder apart and dump the shredded notes when necessary.
The Mechanism: Acrylic Blades

Trouble Shredder is the first shredder in the world that operates with white acrylic blades. The blades were cut with a laser cutter and tested for weeks until a perfect size was found to fit in the box, intersect perfectly with each other and shred the paper all at once. To maintain the stability of rotation, two additional pieces of stabilizer were added. Finally, four laser cut gears ensure proper rotation on both ends.
Handle with Max Comfort Grip

The handle was initially developed in five different sizes, and the one was selected based on user feedback to maximize comfort. Like the outer shell, the handle was cast with resin and spraypainted. In addition, a laser-cut connector part was made to link the handle to the gears. The connector part was made in the optimal length and thickness for the user to shred easily.