A Plymouth manufacturer is playing a key role in helping to develop a new seating system for wheelchairs that improves function and corrects body posture. Source Engineering, a specialist in pressed and machined components, has supported Matrix Seating with a complex stamped part that acts as a locking clamp for the company’s micro modules, which are shaped to deliver customised support.

A 5-strong engineering team has worked with inventor Dr Steve Cousins to come up with a 11-stage progression tool capable of producing the ‘lock’ in spring steel; vital for delivering strength and flexibility at a unit price that works. Around 120,000 of the components have already been manufactured and delivered, with an increase in sales from the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East and the US set to result in surging volumes.

“Steve approached us about coming up with a stamped metal part to replace what was previously a plastic and then hybrid component,” explains Pablo Gutierrez, technical director at Source Engineering. “He’d been to a number of other suppliers, but we were the only one prepared to invest the design time in trying to come up with a solution that worked.”

The 11-stage progression tool has been proven to deliver both parts successfully, with the firm’s wire erosion capabilities producing an accurate tooling insert that fits like a jigsaw to create the different circular and hex-shaped holes.

Dr Steve Cousins, founder Matrix Seating, says: “Our manufacturing is all completed in the UK and Source Engineering is a very welcome addition to our supply chain, understanding the potential of our product and going above and beyond to deliver parts that have come through a tough engineering challenge.”

For further information
www.source-engineering.co.uk