This paper investigates whether spring-foam technology in an aircraft seatpan can reduce weight and at the same time provides equal or better comfort. Firstly, through literature studies and iterative design process a prototype seatpan was designed and developed using spring-foam technology. This was then tested against standard aircraft seat pan for comfort and discomfort; 22 participants were asked to sit in each seat for 90 minutes while filling out comfort and discomfort questionnaire every 15 minutes. At the end of each seating session, pressure map was taken of the seatpan. The results showed prototype seatpan having significantly higher initial comfort (~0 min.), and at the 35 and 50-minute mark than standard seatpan. Pressure map data showed pressure distribution of the prototype seatpan was found to be significantly closer to an ideal pressure distribution opposed to the conventional seatpan. In addition, the prototype seatpan had a significantly bigger contact area and lower average pressure suggesting a higher comfort. The seat-cushion weighs 20% lower than conventional seat-cushion. The study indicates that a seat pan design using springfoam technology can be lighter and more comfortable than conventional foam cushion materials
The Circular Economy Action Plan adopted by the European Commission aims to keep value in products as long as possible through developing product-specific requirements for durability and repairability. In this context, various scoring systems have been developed for scoring product repairability. This study assessed the objectivity and completeness of six major repair scoring systems, to see what further development may be required to make them policy instruments for testing product repairability. Completeness of the scoring systems was assessed by comparing them to the latest literature on what design features and principles drive product repairability. Objectivity was determined by assessing whether the scoring levels in each criterion were clearly defined with a quantifiable and operator-independent testing method. Results showed that most of the criteria in the scoring systems were acceptably objective and complete. However, improvements are recommended: The health and safety criterion lacked objectivity and has not yet been fully addressed. Further research is required to expand the eDiM database, and to identify whether the additional accuracy provided by eDiM compared to disassembly step compensates for the increased difficulty in testing. Finally, assessment of reassembly and diagnosis should be expanded. Addressing these gaps will lead to the development of a scoring system that could be better used in policymaking, and for assessment by consumer organizations, market surveillance authorities, and other interested stakeholders, to promote the repairability of products.
Understanding the extent of common users' capabilities to repair products themselves, and the barriers during the repair could help legislators and manufacturers improve the design of products. This paper investigates users' capacity for using various common repair tools, their experience in repairing different household appliances, and the degree to which greater repair experience enables them to overcome related barriers to repair. Data was collected through questionnaires by 276 participants. Most respondents said they were able to use basic mechanical tools, but less than half stated proficiency in using soldering irons or multi-meters for repair. This indicates that more users may be able to perform diagnosis and repair of mechanical problems than electrical problems. However, 74% have repaired an electronic household appliance at least once in their lifetime (even if the repairs were mechanical). This suggests that repair could be a widespread activity. Users with no repair experience listed significantly more design-related barriers to repair than users with repair experience. These design-related barriers mostly concerned diagnosis and disassembly. Thus, designing products with features facilitating ease of diagnosis and disassembly with basic tools could remove some of the major barriers towards repair, and stimulate more users to repair their products.
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