Aluminum Cups

Captain America Group

Problem

• These are the small glass cups used in most dining halls currently.• Very fragile, prone to breaking

during accidents in the crowded dining halls.• Very inefficient, holding little

fluid for its size.• Cannot be stacked.

Concept Generation

Qualities that would define a drinking glass.

DurabilityInsulationVolumeComfort

Ease of UseSafetyPrice

Aluminum Tumblers

• Very light.• Very durable.• Cheap to produce in large

numbers.• Available in range of colors.• Can be laser etched with PSU

logo.• Modern look.• Efficient use of space.• Stackable.

Glass Design vs. Al. Design

Glass AluminumDurability 1 3

Insulation 2 1

Volume 1 3

Comfort 3 2

Ease of Use 1 3

Safety 1 3

Price 2 3

Total 11 18

1 = Lowest

3 = Highest

Cost Comparison per Unit

Unit Count Glass Aluminum

100 ct. $4.48 $2.40

250 ct. $4.02 $2.20

500 ct. $3.77 $2.10

1000 ct. $3.26 $2.00

Aluminum laser engraving adds approx. $0.50 per unit.

Rationale• Aluminum tumblers are more durable than the glass cups the campus uses currently.

• Aluminum cups are inexpensive when mass produced, beating the price of the glass cups.

• Because they do not break often, aluminum cups have a very slow replacement rate compared to

glass cups, increasing their price advantage over glass.

• Aluminum cups are easily laser etched or painted, so the Penn State logo can be etched

into the side.

• Aluminum tumblers make a more effective use of space, meaning an aluminum cup of the

same size holds more than a glass cup.

• The stackable design of aluminum tumblers minimizes the stored space.

Model

Flow Diagram

RecycledAluminum

BilletAluminum

AluminumSheets

CircularBlanks

AluminumCups

Used by PSU

Complete Sustainability

Melting ColdRolling

Punching ColdForming

Manufactured in the same way as a 12 fl. oz. aluminum beverage can

Worn-out cupsfor reclamation

New cups forPenn State use

Sustainability

• Using materials in a way that satisfies the current need, buts allows the needs of the future generations to be met.• While glass is recyclable, it takes energy to do so, and some material

is inevitably lost in the process.• Because the aluminum product lasts longer, it does not incur as much

waste because it does not need to be recycled as often.• The aluminum cup satisfies our current needs, and is durable enough

to serve the needs of others in the future.