EnduraMark: A Better Whiteboard Marker
Boy, you get what you want sometimes. The EnduraMark CEO, Benjamin J. Lindquist, liked this “homework” idea so much, it is due again next week, and the EnduraMark CTO, Michael J Ganzer, added features to the homework as well! Not only do I have to write, but I must add hashtags and pictures and… Well, I am writing about a subject I know and love, EnduraMark!
The saga continues:
“A typical marker, whether it be a permanent or dry-erase marker, works by the means of capillary action and surface tension. When the tip or nib of the marker touches the surface to be marked, the contact breaks the surface tension of the ink in the tip. Capillary action allows the ink to flow from the ink reservoir, through the tip, to the surface written on.
The current state of the art can be broken down into three categories:
Disposable – Dry-erase products that intended for one use cycle (ex. Expo, Office Max generic, Amazon Basics, etc.)
Refillable Cartridge Markers – allows multiple use cycles through disposable cartridges (ex. Pilot V Board Master, Writey Board)
Renewable Markers (ex. EcoSmart)
There are additional variations that add to the complexity of the design and provide additional functionality but are unnecessary for base functionality of the marker.
The common components of the above types of markers are the cap and body, nib, and some type of felt ink reservoir (FIR).
The nib is responsible for delivering the ink to the final writing surface. It is felt, or another porous pressed fiber material, and formed into various shapes such as chisel or bullet to provide the desired style writing tip.
The FIR is where the ink is usually stored and is where the ink flows through before entering the nib. It is composed of cotton or wool that is densely packed and uniformly distributed within a hollow polyester cylinder.
Based on market research, direct observation, and direct experience, the team has concluded that the following aspects of the current state of the art of the marker industry are inadequate for consumer needs:
Current whiteboard markers are not environmentally friendly. Due to their low initial cost per unit, and because they are not refillable and the parts are not replaceable, if one component fails, the entire marker is thrown out. In a traditional dry-erase marker, only two of components (nib and FIR) are consumable, but the whole marker is thrown out when one of them fails or is depleted. Additionally, it does not take very long for a traditional dry-erase marker to be depleted of ink.
Some markers have refillable ink. However, these still have the problem of the nib failing. Some refillables even degrade with each refill and need replacing entirely after only a few refills. Cartridge based models also introduce a new throw away item in the cartridge, that is less in mass, but at the end of the day still put in the landfill.
The most adequate marker that is currently on the market is the EcoSmart, also known as the AusPen (EcoSmart), which has consumable parts that are replaceable. However, the refills do not last very long, have a tedious refilling procedure, and the refill ink container is not recyclable.
We want to reduce the amount of waste going to a landfill as well as the emissions associated with mass production and manufacturing of said product, so we should make a long-lasting marker.
If the ink can be refilled, the parts replaceable, and as much of the marker as possible is able to be recycled, then there will be much less waste of useful marker parts. Environmental sustainability is valued by the academic community and by some purchasing agents who acquire supplies for companies. Because of that, our product will be well suited to those markets.”
Ganzer, M., Lindquist, B., and Pederson R. (2017). Executive Summary and Introduction, Remarkable Final Design Report. Unpublished bachelors’ dissertation. Minnesota State University Mankato, Mankato, MN.