Office of the Future

Staying awake is what it's all about

by Frances Richards

It's not all about image. Sure, these futuristic work spaces may be designed to look cool, but they also are ergonomic, comfortable and, perhaps most importantly, built to increase employee alertness and productivity. (Or did you think your company would invest in something just to add to your comfort?)

All-plastic workstation incorporates structural web technology from Uniloy Milacron.

Herman Miller, Zeeland, MI, recently unveiled an all-plastic workstation -- created using structural web technology from Uniloy Milacron, Manchester, MI. Half the weight of metal workstations, the system features a U-shaped 4ft.-wide desk, pullout shelves, adjustable table legs, swinging side table and a computer keyboard tray. The flexible system is designed to be easy to move and reconfigure. Some elements are translucent and change color in sunlight during the day from deep blue to luminescent orange. Not merely stylistic, the translucent chameleon-effect materials (a special ABS resin blend by Diamond Polymers, Akron, OH) provide better surface illumination, while the changing colors help office workers stay alert.

"We wanted to create a structurally strong, lightweight and durable system that creates a feeling of openness," said Don Karaus, design and development project engineer. However, a critical obstacle had to be overcome. "In the past, we couldn't do this with injection-molded plastic. The tooling costs alone would have been astronomical."

Herman Miller found the solution in structural web technology. Uniloy's approach to low pressure, gas-assist molding with multi-nozzle, sequential injection reduces clamping forces to allow use of cost-saving aluminum molds when manufacturing large structural plastic parts. Herman Miller worked with molder Horizon Plastics Co., Cobourg, Ontario, to make the desk on a Uniloy structural web press with a clamping force of 750 tons.

By shooting gas behind the material, the firm was able to make the large, precision parts fairly easily, said Horizon vice president Brian Read. The web process also added structural reinforcement to provide a smooth writing surface with few sink marks.

For more information, contact Uniloy Milacron, 912 City Rd, Manchester, MI 48158. 800-666-8852. Circle 533.

Computer comfort

A new workstation adapted to the individual needs of workers and designed to make working at computers easier and more comfortable has at last arrived, though you may not have one yet. Poetic Technologies, Lake Forest, IL, has titled its new workstation AURA, and they say its genius lies in its versatility and compatibility with computers and computer-related products. Developed and manufactured in Quebec, Canada, AURA is an example of a new era in the office furniture industry, particularly in sectors involved in computer assisted design and manufacturing. AURA offers electronically controllable air circulation and filtration, temperature and glare free ambient light. It even gives workers the ability to change their sight lines over the course of the work day.

AURA's work area is designed to provide the same sort of biomechanically healthy environment as the "cockpit" of a high end car.

The footprint (34-sq. ft.) of an AURA module comprises an oval platform featuring an inset disc that defines the work area. Positioned on the disc are the workstation's chair, keyboard table, and footrest, all of which are electronically controllable through a wide range of height and position adjustments. The disc also serves as the foundation for the equipment support assembly, where monitors (up to four), peripherals and storage units are located.

AURA's individually controllable air circulation and ambient lighting are distributed through the integrated environmental services distribution column, which rises from the rear of the platform. A cantilevered arm extends from the top of the column out over the work area. The arm supports the module's crown, which serves as a light reflecting and air deflecting surface. This design provides glare free lighting and draft free air movement to the module's work area.

The module's chair is designed to accommodate users of all shapes and sizes. Lumbar and dorsal supports move independently of one another, and the seat features an adjustable extender to ensure comfortable seating. The firmness of each part of the chair is controlled electronically by inflating and deflating specially designed air cells built into the cushions.

The disc comes programmed to rotate 120° over eight hours. It can be positioned manually, and is available with a high speed rotation option, which can be used to vary sight lines, avoid external glare and for conferencing.

The workstation is shipped fully wired and accepts building electrical services from overhead or under floor. Wires, cables and fiber optic connectors are fully concealed, yet are readily accessible. Ample connections are provided, and there is never any need to fish wires into or through an AURA module.

The control system includes a programmable memory. Each user is provided with a personal memory chip on a key chain, which will interface with any module to adjust chair, keyboard table and footrest settings to the user's preference. Pricing is from $7,200 to $8,000 for the base product, with various accessories available.

For more information, contact Poetic Technologies, 662 Green Briar Lane, Lake Forest, IL 60045. 888-POETIC1. http://www.poetictech.com Circle 534.