Innovative Safety Solutions: Filip and Felix’s Thesis Project at Rapid

Over the past eight weeks, Rapid Granulator has had the pleasure of collaborating with Filip Gunnarsson and Felix Anderberg, students from the 3D Technology program at Campus Värnamo. As part of their thesis project, they have developed a mechanical safety device for our GT series – a solution that could play a crucial role in further improving safety when handling plastic film in our granulators.

Enhanced Safety in Production

The thesis project has had a clear focus on developing a safety device that shuts down the machine if an operator gets caught in the loosely hanging plastic film at the feed opening. This is a critical aspect of meeting European safety standards and ensuring a safer working environment.

– “According to the European standard for this type of machine, there must be a mechanical safety function that automatically stops the machine in an emergency situation. Our solution works by detecting if someone gets caught in the plastic film, triggering the safety system, and stopping the machine immediately,” explain Filip and Felix.

From Theory to Reality

One of the major advantages of conducting the thesis project at Rapid has been the close connection to our production. By having direct access to the workshop floor, Filip and Felix have been able to test their ideas in real-world conditions and quickly iterate based on practical results.

– “The most valuable learning experience has been working so closely with production. We've had the opportunity to test different models, see how the parts function in practice, and adjust the design based on the insights we've gained. Working solely in CAD wouldn’t have given us the same understanding of how a solution works in reality,” they explain.

Next Steps

With their thesis project now complete, Filip and Felix will soon begin their internship period before graduating in two months. We at Rapid are especially pleased that Filip has chosen to complete his internship with us, where he will have the opportunity to continue working on innovative solutions within plastic recycling.

We want to thank Filip and Felix for their dedication and valuable contributions to Rapid. We look forward to following their continued development and wish them the best of luck in the future!