Mass Production
To elaborate more on the design of the Versitool, brief research was conducted regarding material choice and price. How the product came about final materials of low-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam can be read below.
Dimensions
Firstly, the dimensions of the Versitool are based on the Gamma bucket and the specific tools the participant uses. In low fidelity prototyping the dimensions were tested so see if and how these dimensions fit and work. Therefore, dimensions of the attachment are length 30 cm, width 8 cm, height 22,5 cm. The seat is designed to cover the top of the buckets and realizes a height of 5 cm and width of 33 cm.
Materials
Bucket attachments
For the material choice of the attachment of the Versitool, common garden products and similar use products were looked into. Most of the products are made from plastic, specifically Polyethylene (PE). Zooming in to its material properties, polyethylene is a strong, flexible material. It is resistant to water and can withstand temperatures between -70˚C and 120 ˚C. There is High Density PE (HDPE) and Low Density PE (LDPE) of which they mainly differ in rigidity. The attachments of the Versitool are aimed to lean towards a tough material. The Gamma bucket has a material toughness to how the attachment will suffice. Thus, suggested is that the attachments and hooks are made from LDPE.
The Seat
The seat of the Versitool needs a sturdy foundation to sit on and a soft seat for comfortability. An option would be a plastic foundation, foam seat and a weather resistant lining to cover the foam. Another option would be the foundation and weather resistant foam for the seat. To compare, the option with lining allows for design flexibility (change of colors, patterns, textures), more breathability and a softer seat, although the production process can be more complex and costly and stitching can wear out. Without lining, weather resistant foam is waterproof, UV-resistant, durable and has a more simple and less costly production process. However it has limited design flexibility, a non-fabric like surface finish and is less breathable. Looking at mass-producing the better option would be a foundation and weather resistant foam. Therefore, suggested is that the seat is made from a plastic foundation and weather resistant foam. The specific type of weather resistant foam should be more researched, as for now ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam is chosen for it is used in outdoor applications. The thickness of the seat is generally dependent on the thickness of the foam, which accordingly is dependent the type of weather resistant foam and how many layers are used. For an estimate was looked at garden kneepads and mats and they use a foam thickness of 3-6 cm.
Price
Comparable gardening kneepads or mats (depending on quality) are offered at 10-30 euros. Similarly, gardening buckets are on the market for 2-10 euros. An estimated price for the Versitool (2 attachments and a seat) would be about 19,99 euros.
The following sources were used for the mass production research: EVA Foam Garden Kneeler. (z.d.). Draper Tools Ltd. https://www.drapertools.com/product/19748/eva-foam-garden-kneeler/ Kempner. (2025, 13 maart). Polythene: It’s Role & Future in the Packaging World | Kempner. Kempner. https://kempner.co.uk/2024/03/polythenes-role-and-future-in-the-packaging-world/#:~:text=Polyethylene%20is%20a%20crucial%20material,to%20minimising%20its%20potential%20drawbacks. Protective work knee pads. (z.d.). https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/work-protective-knee-pads#:~:text=Knee%20pads%20are%20available%20with,gel%2C%20foam%2C%20or%20rubber. Root. (2022, 15 juni). The Ultimate guide on plastic buckets. FOW Mould. https://www.immould.com/the-ultimate-guide-on-plastic-buckets/#:~:text=Storage%20buckets%20are%20useful%20objects,%2C%20plastic%2C%20or%20woven%20rattan. Team, V. S. (2025, 24 januari). Weather-Proof Plastics: The Best Options for Outdoor Use. Plastic Online. https://www.plasticonline.com.au/weather-proof-plastics/#Weather-Proof_Plastics_Tips_on_How_to_Choose