Prototype improvements

Issues we have tried to address from the critique of the first prototype:

1. Issues were raised concerning the structural integrity of the side table, particularly when it was swiveled out and extended.  Specifically, it was thought that there would be a possibility that the unit would tip over if too much off-center weight was added to the extended table top.  We considered integrating a counterweight to the base to prevent this from happening but decided against this out of fear that this would make the unit too heavy and cumbersome.  Ultimately, we ran tests with the actual materials we intended to use and determined that this was not a factor given the dimensions of our unit.
2. Someone pointed out that we might have trouble keeping the cantilevered table top straight once weight was placed on it.  After trying several different methods of attaching the table top to the central pole, we settled upon using the bottom piece of a pipe clamp.  The clamp offered the tightest fit we were able to find, which was important since any loose space between the central pole the table top would prevent the table top from holding firm.  A metal plate was welded to the pipe clamp to brace the table top from the bottom and keep it as straight as possible.
3. Questions were also raised regarding the child-friendliness and safeness of the unit, particularly given the fact that Lisa lives with a small child.  We felt that the aspect that might potentially pose the most danger was the table top sliding along the pole, and the possibility that it might come down suddenly.  We felt that we found an adequate solution in the mechanism that was chosen to lock the table top to the pole, in that the pipe clamp is not something that can be manipulated with an incidental amount of force.  It requires direct pressure on the clamp button to release its hold on the pole.
4. A member of the class mentioned that there might not be enough usable work space on the table top if it was used from a sofa or a chair with an arm rest.  Taking this into account, we tried to lengthen the table top to increase this amount of space, while conscious of the amount of leverage we would be exerting on the base of the unit.  Ultimately, the length of the table top was a compromise between the amount of work space and the structural integrity of the unit.

Final Rendering

Furniture Assembly/Manual

the screw-in locking system seen in Ikea furniture

the screw-in connecting system used in Ikea furniture

honeycomb paper core

 

DART 491 Manual.pdf

We decided to make our furniture assembly manual, inspired from Ikea. It is slightly different from our second prototype, it looks more like the final one.

Actual Construction:

For the presentation, we are presenting the mock-up as an example of the function of our concept while a realistic render presents the form of our concept.

As for actual construction, the Ikea construction manual could be made possible via snap-fit and secure hardware. Such hardware is a fixture of Ikea designs. It allows for flat storage and shipping of furniture.  It is available in Canada and around the world via Hafele, a hardware company that was referenced to us by a furniture maker.

the screw-in connecting system used in Ikea furniture

The top of the piece must be light-weight to put as little strain as possible on the cantilever. A material known as “verti-cell” could be used as in interior structure to reduce weight. Verti-cell is a honeycomb paper product that is meant to provide rigid structural integrity while being light-weight. This material can be covered in veneer to give the appearence of solid wood. Typically, verti-cell is used in the construction of large furniture such as board-room tables. As an added point, the material is ecologically friendly as it is made of recycled paper.

honeycomb paper core

http://www.dufaylite.com/honeycomb/applications.asp –   this is a provider of said material

As for the construction of the side-table itself, it would be best constructed from easily renewable and cheap soft-woods such as pine or cedar and then veneered with a hard-wood. A & M Wood Specialty is a Canadian company that can provide such hardwood veneering and they provide the ecological information for all wood they stock and they do not sell endangered species.

http://www.amwoodinc.com/    their website

Refined Prototype

Changes made to the prototype:

Shape/ Form:

The prototype was initial designed in the shape of a letter “C” and now refined to be a letter “G” shape. Reason being in its lack of instability; therefore, the added shelf provide additional strength upon the central pole to counter act the drop-leaf segment.

Previous Prototype

"C2"

"CS"

Current Prototype

Mechanism:

Cotter Pin System

Bicycle Lock Hinge System

Option 3

Option 4

Final Process Pictures

Building in Process 2

Next Step:

-building the drawer
-gluing russian ply and pine wood of the table top
-screw the hinges for folding part of table top
-assemble locking mechanism under table top
-adjusting heights of table top before gluing everything together.

From Left to Right:
Picture 1 &2 : Inside of table top before gluing piece over.
Picture 3: Gluing the pieces of table top together and clamping.
Picture 4: Sanding the edges.
Picture 5 & 6: Building the drawer. Clamping the sides and the angles.
Picture 7&8: Dominic drilling a whole on the table top.

Building in Process

During our building session, we have encountered some technical problems. Firstly, the fact that we could not work on our rythm, meaning we often had to wait for a technician in the wood shop to work with us. Therefore each 3 hours spent in the shop was only fulfilled with one hour work. Then, we could not be the whole team in the shop, as a minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 persons were allowed to work together for the same project, so we had to alternate, depending on who had more free time on a specific day.

We all agreed that the furniture would be made of thick wood with sharp edges, so we glued two pieces of pine wood in order to have the thick feel. (See all pictures)

The table top was the most difficult to build and resolve. We decided to build it with russian ply, as two pieces of pine wood was much more heavier than any other standard laptop tables. If the table top was made in pine wood and was swiveled on the opposite side, we were afraid that the table top would unbalance the whole furniture.

 

Research on Standards

We have researched on standard lighting levels, sofa bed height and sizes.  This research will help us understand the general standards that we should consider in our design.

Source:

DeChiara, Panero, Zelnik, Jospeh, Julius, Martin. Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001. Reference Book. Call Number: NK2110 .D433 2001. Accessed on October 9th, 2009.

Mechanism

The final mechanism that is going to used to connect segments together:

www.hafele.com

Research : The Kinetics

During our prototype presentation, many students suggested us to look for kinetic sculptures and arts. Theo Jansen is one of the most famous kinectic sculptor, and he creates kinetic creatures that live for less than 4 days. His inventions move with the help of nature (the wind, rain…). His works could help us in finding a good mechanism for out swiveling table top.

Bezo1981. “Theo Jansen-Kinetic Sculptor” 29 March 2007. Online video clip. YouTube. Accessed on 26 October 2009. <youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcR7U2tuNoY>