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via enzymatic hydrolysis from corn starch); importantly, the
plastic is fully biodegradable.
The acid, however, despite being the most favoured option
for the purpose thanks to its non-toxic character, lack of printing

deformities, and easy recycling, is somewhat hampered by
its relatively low temperature resistance of up to 65 deg C.
In comparable materials, relevant deformations occur at
higher levels (ABS = 100 °C, PETG/HT-PETG = 110 °C). The
reason to substantiate the use of PLA filament rests in the
recyclability, ruggedness, and positional stability, the latter two
properties being ensured by the edge joint. The recycling is
commonly performed in industry-scale composting plants,
where the conditions allow bioplastics to decay.

From the child’s perspective, the most significant aspect
is the play factor, which, by extension, supports the motor
skills and helps to develop the overall set of abilities.
A further major asset is embedded in the visual and
shape characteristics of the cube, being most prominent on
Conclusions the side surfaces through the insertion and extraction of the
The article discusses a multi-faceted product design that is PUR foam-based, M letter-shaped colour segments.

based on functional tests at an officially approved furniture The cube is a multi-purpose, structurally attractive, and
testing laboratory. The aim lies in exposing various application playful item. In the ruggedness, stability, and safety testing, the
options for state-of-the-art designing technologies that facilitate sample involved did not show any damage or breakage, thus
the fabrication of a novel and interesting product with value- complying with the standards and confirming the structural
added features. design approach selected.
In the case of the storage cubes, such properties are As a matter of fact, when evaluated via the results, the
embodied especially in the actual use of the neodymium product appears to be excessively massive, meaning that the
magnets and corner components, the latter being manufactured future fabrication efforts might rely on thinner birch plywood
through the additive technology of 3D printing. (12 mm in thickness, for instance) to reduce the weight and

The magnets function as fastening elements to hold either to obtain a less bulky but sufficiently rugged product.
further parts of the play cube or a whole other cube. Despite In the development procedures, we have combined suitable
their small size, the magnets exhibit a great contact force, and applied research and experimental manufacturing options, using
the tearing force equals eight kg. The original design relied nonconventional machining processes (laser and CNC plotter
on the tearing force of 2.5 kg, but this lower value did not tasks) and additive technologies, namely, product design-oriented
prove sufficient to satisfy the relevant testing requirements. 3D printing. Such technologies then bring substantial benefits
Regarding the proportion of plastic materials, the largest to both the designer and the market in terms of the economic,

amount is found in the product-specific corner components, as social, and environmental impacts. FDM
these were 3D-printed from the PLA (polylactic acid obtained ENQUIRY NO. 4301