Client

India based
furniture OEM

Industry

Design & Development,
Office furniture

Challenge

The OEM was developing a modular office chair with a convertible armrest with the challenge of developing the complete assembly in a single material. 

 

Timetooth with expertise in NPD took on the challenge of designing a specific armrest assembly at a similar cost as the retrofit option.

Service Area

New Product Development

Timeline

January 2022 to December 2023

Custom linear springs were designed for Longitudinal, Lateral & Angular adjustments and manufactured in plastic and tested in the early stages of prototyping.

Key Engineering Solutions

1. A modular solution was designed including linkages and springs.

2. Virtual simulations were leveraged for structural rigidity tests to meet the BIFMA X5.1 2017 regulatory standard.

3. The final design was rapidly prototyped demonstrating functionality and aesthetics.

Solutions

Timetooth initiated the project with preliminary study of multiple designs and benchmarking and tear down of market products. Next preliminary conceptualisation of a 4D armrest design was done. A modular solution was designed including linkages and springs. Custom linear springs were designed for adjustments (Longitudinal, Lateral & Angular) and manufactured in plastic and tested in the early stages of prototyping.

Further design calculations and FEA analysis were performed. The final design was optimized to predict the behavior of the design under stress conditions. Timetooth leveraged virtual simulations for structural rigidity tests to meet the BIFMA X5.1 2017 regulatory standard. The final design was prototyped rapidly to demonstrate functionality and aesthetics. Design was released for manufacturing to the client and simulation results were shared with the client. 

Key Highlights

ROI for the client

Modular design was achieved in compliance with specifications and BIFMA standards.

Cost effective and aesthetic modular design solution achieved.