MEK
A proper stool for plant workers.
Concept
After visiting various “small-medium” industrial factories for different projects something caught my attention.
The workplace stations were nothing even close to being correct. Most of the employees worked in different positions and workflows (stood up, semi-flexed, or completely sit, from static to more dynamic situations) in a very repetitive manner, but, either they didn’t use any stool/chair, or, the one they used, wasn’t meant to be used in that type of context, which implies that, in other words, they were working in a very unergonomic way.
The workplace stations were nothing even close to being correct. Most of the employees worked in different positions and workflows (stood up, semi-flexed, or completely sit, from static to more dynamic situations) in a very repetitive manner, but, either they didn’t use any stool/chair, or, the one they used, wasn’t meant to be used in that type of context, which implies that, in other words, they were working in a very unergonomic way.
Research
All these observations were taken into consideration and a market research was necessary to check what kind of solutions are offered today.
The main three key disadvantages of the current products are:
- Unrepairable. They are produced as a single unit (if a part brokes, it practically becomes obsolete)
- Not versatile or expensive. Generally, the different models that are offered are meant for very specific purposes and the most versatile ones, with adjustable positions, are very expensive due to the mechanisms used,
- Not adapatable. Most of them didn’t seem to be built to endure the tough context that they are exposed to.
These issues were the spark to ignite the ideation process.
The main three key disadvantages of the current products are:
- Unrepairable. They are produced as a single unit (if a part brokes, it practically becomes obsolete)
- Not versatile or expensive. Generally, the different models that are offered are meant for very specific purposes and the most versatile ones, with adjustable positions, are very expensive due to the mechanisms used,
- Not adapatable. Most of them didn’t seem to be built to endure the tough context that they are exposed to.
These issues were the spark to ignite the ideation process.
Ideation
After an explorative phase, surges the idea of a seat that is able to meet with its minimum specifications (safe, durable, and comfortable) but also make it versatile (to cover the different uses and contexts), cheap to produce (to avoid excuses from part of the employer), aesthetically resignificated (to refer it as a necessary tool and dignify the job and the workplace), and modular (to be easy and cheap to repair).
MEK 1.0
Once many design iterations were done, the "final first" version of the project emerged. A product designed to help in the tasks of those who are many times unrecognized was ready for starting the prototyping phase.
Prototyping phase
After doing several tests the first prototype crafting time arrived. The main technologies used were:
- Sand-cast aluminum for the structural holding pieces.
- Thermoformed rough polypropylene for the seat and backrest.
- Lathed aluminum.
- Skin film coated poliurethane for the resting pads.
Definetely the molds for the thermoformed pieces and the poliurethane pads and the complex aluminum parts were an incredible learning expericience.
Surprisingly, the machined MDF molds for the PU pads worked great. They resisted the expanding force of the plastic durings its curing process.
- Sand-cast aluminum for the structural holding pieces.
- Thermoformed rough polypropylene for the seat and backrest.
- Lathed aluminum.
- Skin film coated poliurethane for the resting pads.
Definetely the molds for the thermoformed pieces and the poliurethane pads and the complex aluminum parts were an incredible learning expericience.
Surprisingly, the machined MDF molds for the PU pads worked great. They resisted the expanding force of the plastic durings its curing process.
