Gravity lock lifecycle testing for Franzen North America
Exploring ways to improve product durability and reduce waste through advanced lifecycle testing and analysis
Colleen McCann, Ivana Pleic, and Natian Lam, SMART Centre
About Franzen North America
Franzen North America developed a gravity locking mechanism designed to prevent animals from accessing waste bins. The company partnered with Conestoga’s SMART Centre to better understand long-term product performance and identify opportunities to extend the lock’s service life.
The challenge
While the gravity lock was designed to operate for approximately 10 years, Franzen sought to increase its longevity to reduce material waste and improve sustainability. Achieving this required a better understanding of how wear and tear affect performance over time.
Approach
- Simulated the expected operating life of the gravity lock
- Analyzed wear patterns and potential failure points
- Examined components after extended lifecycle testing
- Rebuilt and retested locks to assess long-term performance
- Conducted additional wear analysis beyond the original design lifespan
Results
- Identified areas most susceptible to wear and failure
- Generated data on long-term product performance
- Improved understanding of the lock’s lifecycle and durability
- Evaluated opportunities to extend product lifespan beyond the original specifications
- Provided insights to support future product improvements
Why it matters
- Supports the development of longer-lasting products
- Helps reduce waste through improved durability
- Contributes to more sustainable product design practices
- Provides lifecycle data to support future innovation
- Supports environmental goals by extending product service life
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Funding for this project was provided by the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI).
