Ben Thorpe

Product Design & Manufacturing Expert

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I'm a design and manufacturing expert based near London, United Kingdom.

Creative DirectionDFMPrototypingRFQVisualisation

Softvac | Scratch-free Vacuuming

An entrepreneur approached npd to develop a truly scratch-free vacuum attachment that can be used on mirror-finish surfaces without worrying about damage.

The solution is a simple attachment with a rotation mechanism so it can be used at both high and low heights around the home. With a silicone bumper-style base, wrapped in a super-soft microfibre fabric, there is a much lower risk of accidental damage during use.

After designing the simple, yet highly functional solution, I sourced a suitable manufacturer based in the Far East that had the right capabilities and flexibilities needed for a small-scale start-up. The Softvac is sold through both Amazon and Etsy stores.


Date: 2021

Brand: SoftVac

Software: Onshape, Keyshot


Creative Direction, DFM, Prototyping, RFQ, Visualisation

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© Copyright Ben Thorpe 2025. All project work is Copyright the respective brands.