Materials and Process Selection Publications

Abstracts

Neck Connector for a child's doll Professor Es-Said and colleagues Loyola Marymount (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

The Mattel Toy Corporation produces millions of "Barbie" dolls each year. Mattel has experienced a low % return rate on Barbie dolls because the head separates too easily from the body during use, and cannot easily be reassembled. However this low % return rate translates into a significant lost revenue. The problem lies with the design of the neck connector. To combat this problem, Mattel modified the connector to make assembly easier and removal of the head more difficult. CES was used to identify the material best able to resist decapitation.

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