"The Precious" valuable cooperation with the Linz University of Art
RICO is once again demonstrating pure innovative spirit with an invention that is as "valuable" as it is practical, which was realized in cooperation with the Industrial Design department of the University of Art and Design Linz - the multifunctional box "The Precious".
"The Precious" is suitable for anyone who likes to carry their "seven" things with them, whether it's a lucky charm, a pen, an emergency first-aid kit or more. "The Precious can be worn like a handbag, attached to a bike, is splash-proof and dust-proof.
The "Precious Process"
The project kick-off was a design thinking workshop held by RICO Elastomere Project GmbH with students and professors from the University of Art and Design Linz. The multifunctional box was designed by Franziska Hagenauer B.Sc, on the basis of which RICO developed a corresponding 2-component tool for the cover suitable for technical, business and leisure purposes and a tool for the insert (made of LSR, Shore hardness 60).
Hot-cold - the all-rounder tool
The 2-component jacket (PBT-reinforced thermoplastic and LSR self-adhesive, Shore hardness 50) was injected in one tool on one machine - both directly, without waste and with 100% thermal separation using valve gate systems. Particularly easy to service: the inserts can be removed from the front of the machine and the silicone tower (cold runner) can be fitted or removed in the installed state. The tool is made of wear-resistant, powder-metallurgical steel hardened to 64 HRC and 12 heating circuits in the LSR tool for partial control of the individual product areas ensure homogeneous temperature distribution with an optimum energy balance.
Careful gripping and depositing - perfect handling
The conclusion: "The Precious" is more than just a give-away, it is the result of a perfect mix of well thought-out (product) design, state-of-the-art technology and the best materials.
The complete application was on display at Fakuma 2023 from October 17 to 21 in Friedrichshafen at the Arburg stand 3103 in hall A3.
