71 replies to this topic

[asilver]

I can't even begin to tell you all how excited I am that you liked the final design.

Everyone here has been such a major part of this project.

Christiaan, I will definitely extend the back and leave an entry to the front caster bearings. It's dificult to see in these renderings but I did include a mounting area for front footstraps as I wasn't sure if everyone would want them.

I just updated the blog with the process book that shows much more detailed renderings of the components. Evet to eryone, if you get the time please check it out and let me know what you think. You can check it out directly here. When you get to scribd chose to download the pdf. as a lot of the images show up messed up when you preview it on the site.

Everyone thank you so much for the kind words, and for all your help this far.

Keep the feedback coming!!!

Thanks,

Adam

[araitn]

Hey Adam,

It's obvious that you have a supreme talent for wheelchair design.

Nothing more to say than...... great job!

Thanks for sharing the project with us and good luck in your future endeavors.

Joe

[qman]

i am very impressed, who and when is one going to be built.

[asilver]

Hey guys,

I figured I would give anybody whos interested a little update what's been going on with this project.

I was fortunate to get a lot of feedback on the design from everyone here as well as Aaron Fotheringham, and a few other wheelchair skating enthusiasts. Though I haven't had as much time as I would have liked this summer, I am in the process of make some revisions, including extending the chairs back support, and giving the chair independent rear axels. As always I will be sharing these revisions with you all as soon as they are finished. Though it's going to be expensive, my hope is to get started on an actual prototype of the design so I can see some actual results.

Hope everyone has been having a great summer, I look forward to working with you all some more.

Take care,

Adam

[DaveP]

asilver, on Aug 6 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

Hey guys,

I figured I would give anybody whos interested a little update what's been going on with this project.

I was fortunate to get a lot of feedback on the design from everyone here as well as Aaron Fotheringham, and a few other wheelchair skating enthusiasts. Though I haven't had as much time as I would have liked this summer, I am in the process of make some revisions, including extending the chairs back support, and giving the chair independent rear axels. As always I will be sharing these revisions with you all as soon as they are finished. Though it's going to be expensive, my hope is to get started on an actual prototype of the design so I can see some actual results.

Hope everyone has been having a great summer, I look forward to working with you all some more.

Take care,

Adam

Would it not be a worth exploring the idea of working with an existing wheelchair manufacturer? You do what you do best (ie designing) and they do what they already know how to do (manufactuer, distribute, advertise and sell).

If you decide to explore this route, then you should get a business advisor on board to help you navigate this path.

Really good to see you're continueing with this project.

A friend of mine in th UK has a wheelchair product he wants to promote in the USA and has been working with a business consultant, and I think agreements are now in place with major wheelchair suppliers in America and Canada. If you want to contact this guy, let me know.

Loads of people come to these forums with the same idea - designing a wheelchair for their school project. I think you're the only one I've seen actually come up with anything realistic... or come up with anything at all!

[qman]

anyone seen these
they look like a good innovation of wheelchair design also
http://www.marvelwheelchairs.com/

[qman]

Please for the sake of all involved DO NOT give this chair to an existing wheel chair manufacturer, the best thing about this design is that it is NOT anything like the chairs that are currently being produced. They will ruin this project and take all the financial reward.

Also business consultants / managers are generally people who have failed in there own ventures and are trying to ride the coat tails of others success and ideas.

distribution is a different matter though.

[asilver]

Hey guys,

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry. I think it may make more sense for me to look into performance bicycle manufacturers who work with uniquely shaped frame extrusions, internal butting, and carbon fiber parts.

The initial prototypes will be created differently then any final production unit would, based off the low quantities and ongoing experimentation with the design.

I still have a lot to learn, and need to speak to a lot more people. Any advice you all have is greatly appreciated.

DaveP I would love to contact your friend and hear a little bit about his experiences so far.

[Jax]

asilver, on Aug 11 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

Hey guys,

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry. I think it may make more sense for me to look into performance bicycle manufacturers who work with uniquely shaped frame extrusions, internal butting, and carbon fiber parts.

The initial prototypes will be created differently then any final production unit would, based off the low quantities and ongoing experimentation with the design.

I still have a lot to learn, and need to speak to a lot more people. Any advice you all have is greatly appreciated.

DaveP I would love to contact your friend and hear a little bit about his experiences so far.

Your design rocks. When you get this thing into production, I'm going to get one. To hell with the Quickie GTi that I have now! Those wheels are wicked man. Keep kickin ass!

PS-If the bicycle manufacturer idea doesn't work, you could always try high-end sports car makers... Maybe Koenigsegg.

[qman]

I agree that some of the bike manufacturers are the way to look at construction.

I have to say i think you are going to struggle a little on weight. I think it will be pretty heavy.

good luck though.

[chickadee]

asilver, on Aug 11 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry.

You know, you might just want to scope out a specialty machine tooling shop, period. My mom works for one that does all sorts of things - Medtronic, Navy, CAT, etc - and they might be able to help you out with the production engineering aspect. I know that they do all sorts of specialty projects.

[asilver]

Hey everyone! It's been a while but I wanted to come back with a long overdue update!

This project continues to be one of my favorite projects I've ever been involved in, and after finishing up the design for my senior thesis, the concept went on to be awarded the Silver Spark in the 2009 International Spark Awards. Unfortunately, that was the furthest it went.

I've been working for the last three years as an industrial designer designing product displays, but the Defiance wheelchair has always been on my mind. In this time I've been fortunate to work with a variety of talented engineers and unique manufacturers. After receiving several emails and messages asking for details on the chair and where one could be purchased, I think it's time take the concept to the next level.

Just as before, the only way to accomplish this is with the help of this community. I will be redesigning several aspects of the chair based on the final feedback you all had given, as well as some aspects which presented the biggest engineering challenges (like the flexible spoke design.) I will keep this process very open, and rely heavily on all of your feedback. Once developed I plan to move to several prototypes to prove out the aspects of the design and how the design translates to reality. If nothing else, my goal is to get a few prototypes out to some people so they can go tear up the skateparks!

As always, any input you guys have is incredibly appreciated. I'm now living in New York City and if anyone who is local to the area would like to be involved it would be amazing as well!

Write back, PM me, or shoot me an email directly at asilver22@gmail.com

I look forward to working with you all again![/background]

Adam

Edited by asilver, 27 April 2012 - 01:17 PM.