Product category:
Benches, work stations, platforms, lifts, parts storage and cabinets
News Release from: Carver & Co (Engineers) | Subject: Work table
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 May 2007
Manufacturing worktable for racing
wheelchairs
Draft Wheelchairs, Cambridge, UK, manufacture individual racing wheelchairs using the Demmeler three-dimensional worktable, supplied by Carver.
Some of the fastest racing wheelchairs in the world are manufactured using a Demmeler 3-D worktable, supplied by Carver Used at Draft Wheelchairs, Cambridge, the table is at the heart of development and manufacture of the highly individual and specialised products
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 14 Oct 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"Each one is unique in its own way, designed to develop the greatest energy output from the athletes using them," explained Dan Chambers, Design Partner at the company.
Critical in the manufacture are the angles of the specialised tube that go to make up the chairs.
Use of the Demmeler table gives complete three-dimensional referencing, allowing each angle to be measured and set easily before the tubing is finally welded.
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The chairs are made from a special US aerospace aluminium alloy that not only gives rigidity, but also lightness.
The frame of a racing chair weighs just 2.2 kg.
Adding the running gear takes that up to around 7 kg, light yet rigid and incredibly robust.
Racing wheels, which are rimless, come from France and the special tubular tyres, utilising cycle racing technology, are glued in position.
"We have to cater for a range of individual subtleties with how the racer sits in the chair.
Some favour sitting upright, while others prefer to be lower in the seat.
All of this impacts on the tubes of the frame," added Dan.
"Because the table offers three-dimensional set-up it is straightforward to set the angles, quickly, time and time again.
If we need to move a tube to accommodate a person's preference, we can easily do so ".During manufacture we produce matching pairs as part of the frame, so reference points are extremely important.
The Demmeler table readily provides these.
"Use of the table has also allowed us to eliminate the requirement of upwards of eight bespoke fixtures, along with the associated time saving and storage".
Draft also carries out maintenance and service on the Great Britain rugby team's chairs, which look more like stock cars.
Not surprising since the game is extremely physical.
There will be numerous events in future with Draft wheelchairs taking part powered by some of the countries leading para athletes: Dave Weir, winner of the 400m European Open Paralympics Championships and the 2005 British Wheelchair Sports Award: Debbie Brennan, Rachel Potter and Tushar Patel, to name but a few.
To date, athletes using the chairs have amassed over 40 Olympic medals, holding world and Olympic records, including those set by Tanni Grey Thompson.
On another front, using the Demmeler table the company has developed a number of racing cycles, which are notching up some incredible speeds and already taking competitions.
"Having the Demmeler table allows us to take our design concepts through to full production.
That's the versatility of the system," added Dan Chambers.
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