PooVac Pro

MISSION & VISION:

Our mission is to empower dog owners with an easy, eco-friendly solution to clean up after their pets responsibly, protecting public spaces and keeping our communities safe.

Our vision is to make dog walking smarter, inspire responsible dog ownership, reduce waste pollution, and create cleaner, healthier communities worldwide.

PROBLEM: A Growing Public Nuisance in Our Communities

Many dog walkers forget to bring waste bags or do not carry them. As a result, preventable waste pollution is becoming a public hazard— affecting the cleanliness, safety, and health of our shared community spaces.

1. Rising dog waste in public spaces
2. Unsanitary sidewalks and parks
3. Harmful germs are spreading into water systems.
4. Damage to wildlife and local ecosystems
5. Increase in signage outside homes requesting cleanup

SOLUTION: PooVac Pro - One Pull. Zero Waste

PooVac Pro is a smart attachment to a dog leash with:

1. Built-in vacuum suction
2. Piston-based suction system
3. Reusable collection cup
4. Eco-friendly operation
5. No plastic waste bags required

With one simple pull of the piston, waste is vacuum-sealed into a collection cup and can be disposed of in the nearest trash bin.

ROTARY ALIGNMENT: Protecting the Environment

PooVac Pro

1. Prevents contamination
2. Protects wildlife
3. Reduces plastic waste
4. Promotes civic responsibility
5. Improves public sanitation

To design

Tinker CAD

Shapr3D

Blender

Fusion 360

Bambu Studio

To build

SunLu Matte PLA- Blue and grey

To print

Bambu Lab P1S printer

Purchase

Compression spring

O-ring

Assembly using

Hot glue

Epoxy resin

Design Phases

Phase 1: TinkerCad

The first CAD software we chose to build PooVac Pro with was TinkerCAD because it was simple to use and easy to learn. It also had the required elements to build the product. But we realized that PooVac Pro was too complex to build in TinkerCad. So we switched over to another CAD.

Phase 2: Shapr3D

With Shapr3D, we realized it had all the required elements for the project, with a simple UI. But, the elements were extremely difficult to learn and master in a short time, and meet the Poo Vac Pro's submission deadline. So, we moved to another CAD.

Phase 3: Blender

We used CAD software, specifically Blender. Blender uses the Python coding language. Since both team members were familiar with Python, learning Blender was extremely simple. It is also precise and detailed, with all of the required elements for PooVac Pro. So, we decided to go ahead with it.

Phase 4: Fusion360+Bambu Studio

Finally, we used Fusion 360 and Bambu Studio to finalize the designs and prepare them for print.

Design Iterations

1st Iteration

Our 1st iteration was printed at the Lafayette library using a Bambu Labs A1 Printer. The first challenge was that we had to restrict the number of parts that could be printed in the library. Our initial design had 9 parts, but the library could print only 5. So, we had to redesign our product. It was fundamental and lacked functionality because many parts were missing.

2nd-5th iterations

The 2nd to 5th iterations were done at Printora, Mountain House, again using a Bambu Labs A1 Printer. The most important improvement from the 1st iteration was that there were no restrictions on the number of parts we could print. That helped us re-design a very detailed product. However, there were repeated design issues. The collection cup and the bore would not fit; the piston head would break; and some of the smaller parts would not print, causing errors multiple times. The size ratios between the bore and the cup did not match. Besides this, we needed to sand some parts to achieve a tight fit.

6th(last) Iteration

The last iteration worked out the best. The size ratios were correct, but still needed a bit of sanding. All the parts fit snugly, especially the piston. As a result, the vacuum we attempted to create with the suction actually worked. We used O Rings and springs to make the piston functional. Sandpaper was used to smooth the edges. We used Hot glue and Epoxy resin to glue the parts.

Tolerance and Fit

1. Bore inner diameter: Precisely matched to the piston
2. O-ring compression ensures an airtight seal.
3. Sanded the surfaces to reduce friction
4. Epoxy resin to increase adhesion
5. PTFE for the traction of the piston inside the bore

Core Parts

1. Collection Cup
2. Piston Head
3. Rear Cap
4. Bore / Body Tube
5. O-Ring

Future Versions

Version 1 - Production Ready PooVac Pro

1. Convert from POC to Production Ready PooVac Pro
2. Enable a tight fit and strong suction

Version 2 – PooVac Pro (M)

1. Built-in motor
2. Increased suction power
3. Rechargeable battery
4. Support for different dog sizes
5. Universal Fit Design

Delivery

Partner Locally

1. Tie up with local pet shelters and pet stores
2. Collaborate with the City Council and the Rotary Club
3. Offer PooVac Pro as a trial product to encourage responsible pet care.

Community Awareness

1. Promote PooVac Pro through Local press and Community events
2. Build awareness campaigns partnering with the City Council and the Rotary Club

Turn Fremont into a model city for responsible pet ownership — starting locally, then expanding statewide.