A tiny guidance attachment that stays on the writing tool and produces straight lines without the hassle - designed for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing and retail bundling.
Mechanical
Fusion 360
CAD
Design for 3DP
3D Printing
Human-Centered Design
IP
Licensing
Problem
Rulers are bulky, easy to misplace, and slow down writing. Most "straight-line" solutions are separate tools, but EZ-Line aims to make the experience seamless.
Solution
EZ-Line is a pencil/pen end attachment that rides against the paper as a reference surface while you write, keeping the writing tip aligned to a straight path. It supports multiple instrument types, including wood pencils via a compliant interface that maintains contact as the tip shortens.
Engineering highlights
- Human-centered constraints: one-handed use, does not interfere with grip, stays installed, works in a backpack/desk workflow (no extra tool handling).
- Multi-platform interface design: threaded/screw-on fit for pens and mechanical pencils; compliant retention for wood pencils to accommodate lead wear.
- Design-for-manufacture focus: geometry and part size optimized for minimal material usage, fast cycle times, and low per-unit cost so it can ship in multi-pack pencil bundles.
- Prototyping: rapid prototyping with the use of Fusion 360, 3D-printed prototypes, and evaluation of how different contact surfaces glide on paper.
- Validation: side-by-side straightness comparison (baseline vs with attachment) documented in demo footage.
- IP + commercialization execution: drafted two provisional patent applications, built a sell sheet and demo media, and engaged multiple writing-instrument manufacturers under NDA.
Metrics & validation artifacts
~25
Prototype iterations
3
Instrument categories
8
Licensees interested
2
PPAs written/filed
EZ-Line Prototype Demo Video
Sell Sheet
Image gallery
