multiFunSideTable
a comfortable, efficient and unobtrusive
multi.fun.ctional side table for indoor and outdoor, which doesn't take up room space when not in use
multi.fun.ctional side table for indoor and outdoor, which doesn't take up room space when not in use
intro
This week I decided to make two alpha prototypes, because even though "C" was the most voted concept, "M" was chosen by many people too, and I wanted to test it in its real dimensions.
It also happened that "iteration" passed before my eyes and –as a result of that vision– I've included a second post called precisely "iteration".
For the prototypes I used extruded polyurethane. It doesn't have the rigidity and strength of wood, but it's cheaper and very easy to cut, so I thought it could be a good material for this phase in the process.
If you want to check out user needs, please click the button below:
It also happened that "iteration" passed before my eyes and –as a result of that vision– I've included a second post called precisely "iteration".
For the prototypes I used extruded polyurethane. It doesn't have the rigidity and strength of wood, but it's cheaper and very easy to cut, so I thought it could be a good material for this phase in the process.
If you want to check out user needs, please click the button below:
woodenminimalist
As I said last week, "C_woodenminimalist" is the most robust and simple. It just works. With the alpha prototype I wanted to study the joints.
The original concept had dovetail joints. This time I wanted to test bevels and, as the prototype has a "]" shape, I also tested a mixed one with bevels and dovetails joints.
I executed the first joint with eight wooden dowels inserted perpendicularly to the surfaces. This make it more minimalistic, because you can't see nothing more than three pieces of wood without visible joints.
The other one –the "mixed" one– also has eight wooden dowels distributed through the whole surface.
I changed the lenght of the arms from 50 to 45cm to adapt the height –when in bench position– to the sofa's sitting height.
I think that the wood version should be 1,9cm thick to adapt to the bottom of most kinds of sofas. I also reckon that –to gain robustness– it should have a wooden wedge between each two elements.
The original concept had dovetail joints. This time I wanted to test bevels and, as the prototype has a "]" shape, I also tested a mixed one with bevels and dovetails joints.
I executed the first joint with eight wooden dowels inserted perpendicularly to the surfaces. This make it more minimalistic, because you can't see nothing more than three pieces of wood without visible joints.
The other one –the "mixed" one– also has eight wooden dowels distributed through the whole surface.
I changed the lenght of the arms from 50 to 45cm to adapt the height –when in bench position– to the sofa's sitting height.
I think that the wood version should be 1,9cm thick to adapt to the bottom of most kinds of sofas. I also reckon that –to gain robustness– it should have a wooden wedge between each two elements.
C_woodenminimalist
C_woodenminimalist_updated pictures
flip&fold
"M_flip&fold" is easy to use, because it comes preassembled and you just have to tauten the cable, but not as easy to manufacture. The concept has evolved from a cable that crosses the whole three parts of the table to a version in which it goes from bottom to top.
To attach the wooden pieces to the cable, I had to use connectors. But, as I couldn't find what I needed, I had to make my own connectors. First I made two holes on a metal strip to be able to pass the cable and then I welded a metalic cylinder to keep the boards in place. In the middle of the larger piece I opened a hole to insert the tensor.
I can't say for sure because the material used for the prototype has no structural qualities, but I think that the weight of the boards could make the system being inestable. To solve this, it should be absolutely necessary to add wooden wedges after flipping.
To attach the wooden pieces to the cable, I had to use connectors. But, as I couldn't find what I needed, I had to make my own connectors. First I made two holes on a metal strip to be able to pass the cable and then I welded a metalic cylinder to keep the boards in place. In the middle of the larger piece I opened a hole to insert the tensor.
I can't say for sure because the material used for the prototype has no structural qualities, but I think that the weight of the boards could make the system being inestable. To solve this, it should be absolutely necessary to add wooden wedges after flipping.
M_flip&fold
M_flip&fold_updated pictures