Nicolas Etkind - Instructable - Rough Draft : 7 Steps

Hello, I am a student at the Willow School and my name is Nicolas Etkind.

Problem Identification: The Willow School faces a challenge: insufficient seating in hallways and classrooms. Students often end up sitting on the ground during lunch, which is both uncomfortable and unsanitary. Additionally, ongoing construction exacerbates the situation. As a solution, you aim to create chairs that not only address the seating shortage but also provide relaxation and stress relief for students.

Driving Question: How can we add more comfortable seating in halls for students sitting on the ground during lunch.

"These chairs are a tongue in cheek take on flat-pack furniture and can be easily dismantled and reconstructed, taken to the beach, to a festival, by a fire, or wherever you see fit."

Supplies

Programs:

Autodesk fusion 360
CNC Machine

Materials

A 4x4 sheet of ¾-inch plywood.
Nails
Super Glue (to connect the plywood)

Step 1: Research and Inspiration:

Gather research on existing chairs, materials, and design trends.

Laying down chair design pros and cons:

Pros:

Comfortable
Easy ability to fold / transportable
Relieves stress
You can put your feet up.

Cons:

Expensive to manufacture/ a lot of parts
Heavy
High risk of breaking

Stool chair design pros and cons

Pros:

Small, east ability to fold and transport
Cheap to make
Simple concept
Doesn't take up a lot of space
Comfortable (when there are cushions on it)

Cons:

Not original
Might not support a lot of weight.

Furniture Trends for 2024

Swivel Stools: These stools allow a 360-degree rotation, making them perfect for socializing and adjusting your angle without leaving your seat.
Pedestal Base Stools: A single supporting pole beneath the seat connects to a base. These stools often feature swivel functionality and come in various heights.

What are the disadvantages of flat pack furniture?

Flat pack furniture can be easily damaged due to its low sturdiness

Step 2: Brainstorming and Ideation:

I initially explored a chair design meant for laying down, but after encountering sizing and scaling issues, you opted for a more minimalistic approach.
My initial exploration of a chair design meant for laying down encountered sizing and scaling issues. I then decided to collaborate with your friend Gray, who has already completed this process. Together, continue brainstorming and sketching in tools like Fusion 360 and Carbide Create to create a whole new stool design—one that is minimalistic, simple, and tailored to The Willow School’s needs.
Concept Development:
sketches in Fusion 360 and Carbide Create are valuable tools for visualizing your design.
Iterate on these sketches, considering proportions, aesthetics, and functionality.

Criteria and Constraints:

Constructed using one 4x4 plywood sheet of ¾-inch plywood.
Capable of holding 250 pounds without falling over or cracking.

Step 3: Designing the Chair

Software's for designing that helped me:

Fusion 360
Carbide create

Design Description:

Your stool design consists of the following elements:

Two Slabs: These form the main structure of the stool.
Four Connector Pieces: These connect the slabs together.
Circular Slab Seat: The seat provides a comfortable surface for students.

Unique Features:

Modular and Flat-Pack Design: The use of slabs and connectors allows for easy assembly and disassembly. This feature aligns with modern design trends.

Comfort Enhancement: Consider adding cushions to enhance comfort during extended sitting.

Step 4: Carbide Create After Fusion

Once you've finalized the 2D model of the chair components, the subsequent steps involve:

1. Converting your chair design into a "DXF" file format.

2. Importing the DXF file into Carbide Create software, essential for providing instructions to the CNC machine regarding cutting parameters.

3. This step is crucial as Carbide Create guides the CNC machine on what to cut precisely and what areas to avoid.

4. Adjustments within Carbide Create might be necessary to fine-tune the cutting parameters and ensure optimal results.

Step 5: Design Revisions

My first design was : I wanted to incorporate the laid back style of seating with The Willow School project. Being able to relax and put your legs up relives huge amounts of stress for students. Adding a cushion to it will also add in to the fact of it being a perfect seat. I want a slab of wood to go across to connect all the different pieces while there is a stand on the back of it for support. I've done multiple different designs and this one stuck out for being the most effective.

Second design: I wanted to make a more simplistic style so it could be easier to print and manufacture. The low amount of parts keep the product cheap and transportable. I didn't want anything complicated so a stool that can break down to simple slabs but also provide seating was the main goal.