This project was based on my second year "Furniture Design" module.
I had to design and make full size working prototype of the folding laboratory stool suitable for manufacture, using chosen thickness of plywood. It had to be: physically tested to hold at least 100kg person, and ergonomically suitable for 90% of the target population.
Everything was designed starting from simple doodle of classic folding stool. Then I took that design a bit further, and after hard thinking, and modeling with CAD, to visualise all possibilities and problems, I managed to come up with this smooth screwless frame. Literally there are no metal fixings or hinges. All frame parts cut using CNC, assembled using wooden dowels, PVA glue, and covered in matt lacquer. Top of the seat has layer of cork to give a bit of natural softness and character. All the measurements decided in accordance with anthropometric data.
Labstool passed all required tests.
(Back view)
Labstool has curved inner and outer frame shape, with rounded edges
Seat indent makes it much more comfortable to sit
It folds flat into its outer frame and is very compact
Outer frame is made out of two layers of 24mm plywood. Natural playwood pattern makes rounded edges a nice feature.
Assembly
