Product design: Ergonomic classroom chair

• Main Authors: Ang, Clinton Edward, Chu, Ronn Eben, Dera, John Paul, Paras, Alexander, Valte, Angelo
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2004
• Subjects: Human engineering; Chair design
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/14525
• Institution: De La Salle University

Presently, majority of colleges in the Philippines use the wooden and metal frame type of classroom chairs. It has basic parts that consist of a small wooden backrest, either a flat or curved seat pan, and a fixed short or long table with an arm rest. As for every school, costs are the first priority in the considerations for any purchase for school equipment. That's why the basic wood and metal frame type chair is the economical choice for most schools today. Observing that the design for the classroom chair could be updated, the group thought of the improving the current design. To get pertinent data for students' physiological measurements, opinions and current chair designs, surveys were conducted from six universities namely De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Asia and the Pacific and University of Santo Tomas. Optimizing a manufacturing process to keep production costs down, the group opted to use plastics for the backrest, seat pan and table. Keeping costs down without compromising the strength and durability of the chair, black iron was used for its frame. The manufacturing process involves cutting, marking, drilling, bending, welding, painting, injection molding and punch pressing of the parts used for the new chair. For chair Designs with adjustable tables were made for testing. The testing was done in the classrooms of de La Salle University during class hours. Surveys were conducted on the volunteers and from the data gathered a final chair was made. By incorporating ergonomics and an adjustable table into the classroom chair, the group was able to come up with a new design and a manufacturing process that is very affordable for the Universities. With this, students will have less strain in their body even after long hours seated in the classroom.