Development of a wood based modular furniture system

Nowadays, low price furniture is often of low quality, while high quality furniture is too expensive for many people. Modularity can be an opportunity to manage the challenge to produce affordable furniture, i.e. furniture with the required quality, at an acceptable price. In 2014, the Modos modular furniture system was launched. It consists of standardized aluminium connectors and wood-based panels with which various types of furniture can be assembled many times, without the need for any tools. From an environmental, economic, and aesthetical perspective, the use of aluminium is questionable. By replacing it with wood-based materials, the situation can be improved. The objective of this study was to adapt the geometry of the aluminium connectors in a way that enables the use of wood-based materials, without considerably compromising the strength or the aesthetical appearance. The design of the connectors was based on customer needs, finite element analysis, and the results of bending tests on prototypes. Different design concepts were created, and in an iterative process the concepts were reduced to a single final design. A comprehensive prototype of the final design is presented in this paper; a stable and robust furniture system of sleek design, which has the potential to appeal to both furniture designers and the final customer. By applying different surface finishes or using different wood species, the design can be customized easily in order to attract a wide range of customers.Godkänd; 2015; 20150929 (dicsan)