Irish medical device manufacturer Living Comfort Support (LCS) has manufactured a custom 3D printed wheelchair cushion with an integrated ventilation system. This development occurs after the acquisition of WheelAir by LCS Ltd in 2023.
Through active airflow, WheelAir allows for self-regulation of body temperature and moisture control through convection, conduction, and evaporation. The system can be adapted to suit all models of wheelchair seating, including custom-molded seating.
The new cushion combines a 3D-printed lattice structure with LCS’s WheelAir ventilation system to provide an active airflow in the cushion, addressing micro-climate.
During the manufacturing process, the team at LCS used programmable foam to ensure maximum comfort, allowing customers to choose not only the shape and contours of the cushion but also the density.
This enables the selection of five different softness levels across multiple zones within a single cushion, seamlessly 3D printed as one piece.
While the AM process used by LCS has yet to be disclosed, we remember that two years ago, a custom 3D-printed medical-grade cushion for wheelchairs was 3D printed by Swiss technology center CSEM using “open-cell” 3D printing.
Luke Conway, Founder and Director of LCS, told BusinessPlus: “We had been working with WheelAir for many years by incorporating it into our custom foam backrests, but we felt that we were not realising full potential with our foam cushions. We always thought we could combine 3D printed seating and WheelAir, so we started to explore that option. The opportunity to purchase WheelAir came up in February 2023 and we made the decision to buy it and start planning to combine 3D printed seating with the WheelAir ventilation system. The WheelAir Custom Cushion was then born. Over the past six months, we have tested and trialled the WheelAir Custom Cushions with wheelchair users in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Our initial testing and user trials have been very positive in regard to the wheelchair users’ comfort and ability to control their temperature.”
The company now plans to widen its customer base across the UK and Europe.
Image: courtesy of LCS Ltd – LinkedIn. Remember, you can post job opportunities in the AM Industry on 3D ADEPT Media free of charge or look for a job via our job board. Make sure to follow us on our social networks and subscribe to our weekly newsletter : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram ! If you want to be featured in the next issue of our digital magazine or if you hear a story that needs to be heard, make sure to send it to contact@3dadept.com
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