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A manufacturing system for contoured foam cushions.
D M Brienza1, C E Brubaker, C A McLaurin
1School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261.
Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
|January 1, 1992
Summary
This study presents a cost-effective personal computer-based manufacturing system for custom foam cushions. The system utilizes PC control and optimized mechanics for efficient fabrication of specialized seating.
Area of Science:
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
Background:
- Traditional manufacturing systems for custom foam cushions can be expensive.
- Standalone numerically controlled (NC) motion controllers contribute significantly to system cost.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, apply, and evaluate a specialized manufacturing system for contouring foam cushions.
- To reduce the cost of custom cushion fabrication through innovative system design.
Main Methods:
- Development of a personal computer-based (PC) controller to replace traditional NC controllers.
- Optimization of the mechanical configuration for dedicated foam cushion carving.
- Integration of hardware and software for system functionality.
Main Results:
- Significant cost reduction achieved by using a PC controller instead of an NC controller.
- Optimized mechanical design further decreased overall system cost.
- Successful application in local or centralized fabrication of custom-contoured seat cushions.
Conclusions:
- A PC-based manufacturing system offers a cost-effective solution for custom foam cushion production.
- The integration of PC control and optimized mechanics is viable for specialized fabrication tasks.
- This approach demonstrates potential for wider application in custom manufacturing.