Diseño y construcción de moldes ergonómicos y funcionales para mejorar la eficiencia en la fabricación de jabones artesanales

Abstract

This thesis project aimed to design and build an ergonomic and practical mold for making homemade soap. The research stemmed from problems identified in traditional molds, such as product sticking during demolding, material loss, worker fatigue, and, given the final product's limitations, its lack of standardization. To address these issues, an industrial design proposal was developed, taking into account ergonomics, functionality, modularity, and sustainability. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing direct observation, interviews, surveys, and ergonomic studies to identify user needs and the characteristics of the production process. The entrepreneurial methodology applied methodological frameworks from Design Thinking, User-Centered Design, and Product Engineering, enabling the generation, evaluation, and improvement of design solutions through 3D modeling, prototyping, and functional validation. Thus, an ergonomic mold prototype with handles was designed and built, its shape adapted to the user's hands. A mechanism was incorporated to facilitate demolding and cleaning, and a modular design was implemented to allow for variations in soap sizes and shapes. Finally, storage and transport were also addressed. Validation showed 92% compliance with the requirements, demonstrating improved usability, reduced physical effort, and increased efficiency in the production process. It was determined that, through the application of industrial design, a viable and innovative proposal for the artisanal production of soaps could be provided, enhancing both the user experience and the quality of the final product.