Cake Protector

At Datum3D, I took a client’s idea through the stages of product development and prepared for a future manufacturing run. They wanted to create a decorative cover for a birthday cake that stopped people from blowing over the cake and potentially spreading germs. The cake protector had 100 holes for individual candles, as well as 3 larger holes to fit numbered candles. It also had a storage area opened with a living hinge that could hold candles and a lighter for storage and transportation.

I optimized a previous co-op’s model to allow injection molding and use 75% to 80% less material. I utilized SolidWorks FEA to simulate different loads and compared different maximum stress and displacement with different ribbing designs and geometries.

I used 3D printers and rapid-prototyping methods to create models to test compatibility and performance between parts of the assembly and off-the-shelf components.

After reaching a final product that the client was content with, I collaborated with injection molding manufacturing to further reduce costs and ensure our model was within their capabilities.