E29 Final Project — Ergonomic Whiteboard Eraser Tool
Skills: SolidWorks, GD&T, 3D Printing, Machining, DFMA, Prototyping
Project Overview
GlideAssist is an ergonomic whiteboard erasing tool designed for E29 (Engineering Design and Manufacturing) in collaboration with teammates Tanaisha, Amisha, Alan, Kian, Abdo, and Tomas. The product targets classroom and university environments, addressing two key pain points: the physical strain of repeated whiteboard erasing, and accessibility for users with shoulder mobility limitations.
The US has an estimated 5.3 million teachers and university faculty, with 77% using whiteboards, creating a potential market of over 816,000 users. Our solution aims to reduce fatigue and wrist strain while making whiteboards more accessible for those who struggle to reach or apply pressure across a full board.
GlideAssist combines a telescoping aluminum shaft, ergonomic trigger handle with solution dispensing, a wiping eraser head with corner magnets, and optional accessories including a marker holder and secondary handle. These were all designed for ease of use, assembly, and future mass manufacturing.
Eraser Head
The eraser head was designed around four key features. Magnets embedded in all four corners ensure consistent surface contact across the full eraser face when pressing against the whiteboard. A felt wiping cloth slides in through a dedicated gap at the edge for easy replacement without disassembly.
An internal canal routes cleaning solution from the handle's squeeze bottle through to the eraser surface, evenly distributing fluid for wet erasing. A snap-fit hinge with a clearance slot connects the head to the shaft joint, allowing the eraser face to pivot and maintain flush contact even when the handle is held at an angle.
Handle
The handle was designed ergonomically for comfortable long-duration use. A squeeze trigger on the underside actuates the solution dispensing system — pressing it compresses an off-the-shelf squeeze bottle fitted with silicone tubing that routes fluid to the eraser head.
The cap on the back unscrews for easy solution refill. The rotating joint at the front of the handle uses a snap-fit connection to the shaft, allowing wrist-friendly angle adjustments mid-use. All handle components were 3D printed in PLA due to the complex organic geometry involved.
Solution Dispensing System
The fluid dispensing system uses an off-the-shelf squeeze bottle seated inside the handle housing, connected via silicone tubing to the eraser head's internal canal network. The removable rear cap screws on and off for hassle-free solution refills without any tools.
The tubing runs through the length of the shaft and distributes cleaning fluid evenly across the eraser surface on demand, giving users precise control over how much solution is applied during erasing.
Telescoping Shaft
The shaft consists of inner and outer aluminum pipe sections machined from stock material. The outer shaft is 16 inches with an additional 15.75-inch inner extension, giving a fully extended reach of 32 inches. This is enough to comfortably reach the top of a standard whiteboard without a ladder or step stool.
Length is locked using a tapped set screw that engages a slider slot milled into the outer shaft, allowing tool-free length adjustment at any point along the travel range. The use of milled aluminum provides rigidity while keeping the assembly lightweight.
Joint Interfaces
Two snap-fit rotational joints connect the eraser head to the shaft and the shaft to the handle. Each joint features a spring-back clip that locks into place with a satisfying snap and releases with a simple squeeze. This allows full disassembly in seconds for cleaning or cloth replacement.
A pin-slot interface at each joint enables smooth rotation while preventing unintended axial movement. The joints also provide the user mobility needed to maintain flush eraser contact at varying board heights and angles. All joint components were 3D printed in PLA for prototyping.
Accessory — Marker Holder
The marker holder is an optional snap-on accessory that mounts directly to the shaft via mounting rails for quick attachment and removal. Snap-fit slots hold up to five markers securely in an open-top radial layout, providing easy visibility and one-handed access to any marker mid-lesson.
The symmetrical spoke design distributes weight evenly around the handle center to avoid unbalancing the tool. Filleted edges at all stress concentrations improve fatigue life. Like the rest of the plastic components, it was fully 3D printed in PLA for lightweight rapid prototyping.
Accessory — Secondary Handle
The secondary handle is a snap-on D-ring grip that attaches anywhere along the shaft via a semi-circular rod clamp, letting users position it at whatever point feels most natural for two-handed control. This is especially useful for users with limited shoulder mobility who benefit from distributing load across both arms.
The ergonomic finger grooves on the inner face provide a secure, comfortable grip without requiring a tight squeeze. The snap-fit clamp installs and removes in one motion with no tools required, and the open-ring geometry keeps the assembly compact when not in use.