Chen Chi Furniture Co., Ltd.

Office furniture parts

The design and development of the SC480

an engonomic arm for task chairs

for Chen Chi Furniture Co., Ltd.

www.chenchifurture.com

January 24, 2013

by Lee Fletcher,

Terence Woodside

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Founded in 1989, Chen Chi Furniture Co., Ltd. is now one of Taiwan’s leading manufacturers of office furniture components including armrests, arm pads, arm width adjustment brackets, back height adjustment mechanisms, headrest height and angle adjustment mechanisms, lumbar supports, seat sliders, and other accessories.

To stay competitive in the global market, Chen Chi has constantly worked to streamline its manufacturing processes and enhance its operating efficiency. With a strong R & D team and advanced production facilities, the company guarantees its customers quality products plus reliable services. The products have won the approval of many world standards, and have been granted more than 100 patents.

Chen Chi cooperates with two prominent Canadian designers, Lee Fletcher and Terence Woodside, who own an award-winning design studio in North America. They work with Chen Chi not only as a client, but also a component supplier and manufacturing partner for custom-ordered items.

The company recently entrusted the two designers with the creation of a new chair arm that represents a departure from its existing product portfolio. The special design of this new arm is aimed at high-end chair and furniture companies in North America and Europe.

The design, which incorporates a sophisticated aesthetic with a degree of customization, is built on robust and proven mechanics. By following current seating trends in form, material, and functionality, the design has evolved from manual sketches and clay models into 3D CAD. The result is a crisp form with different arm pads and end caps for connection to the chair.

A tactile pebble texture is added to the underside of the arm pad, where fasteners are usually hidden. By involving the user in ways beyond the ergonomics or visual elements of the arm, and the new design is expected to further consolidate Chen Chi’s reputation as developer and manufacturer of quality chair components. (JL)