A client approached us with a concept for an improved cat carrier, and we engineered it specifically for injection molding.

CONCEPT

Cats generally dislike getting into conventional carriers — all owners alike can relate to the fussy challenge of getting a cat through the door of a conventional carrier. The concept takes advantage of the fact that cats naturally hunker down for stability on unstable surfaces, like a moving rug. With this concept, we designed a drawer system that simplifies the process of getting a cat in and out.

CHALLENGES

• Designing for injection molding

• Ensuring complete filling of large parts

• Requiring "straight pull" extraction

• Balancing strength and cost

• Ensuring smooth sliding for the drawer mechanism

• Nestable parts for shipping

• Determining appropriate tolerances for proper door closure