Farewell to back pain

"Research findings have proven that a leaning seating posture relieves the spine most appreciably in mild kyphosis," reports Corinna Graf, Marketing Manager at Nowy Styl GmbH in Ebermannsdorf. "Independent research has further shown that generally very few users use all available seat functions despite appropriate instructions available for their office chairs. " These findings have been incorporated into the development of the executive chair Galileo, whose settings are done to a large extent automatically. The internationally renowned French architect and designer Françoise-Hélène Jourda has added a distinctive look to it.
 
The office and contract furniture manufacturer has decided on iglidur® plastic plain bearings from igus® GmbH instead of metal or needle bearings. They are free of lubrication and are therefore maintenance-free as well as extremely versatile and are available either from the catalogue range or as a customised special solution from lot size 1. They are basically optimised for friction and wear coefficients. Besides the excellent price/performance ratio, the very quiet operation recommends their use in this high-quality office chair. Plain bearings made ​​of the materials iglidur® J and iglidur® G, as well as the iglidur® J liners from the drylin® R range for linear motions, prove their versatility.

Four patents have been incorporated into the inner life of Galileo, which in conjunction with the advancement of the proven and patented "Glide Tec" mechanism redefine ergonomic seating. The central element is the "Glide-Tec+" mechanism - a movable seating surface, which allows optimum mobility while sitting, in combination with a patented three-dimensionally movable backrest. Added to this are the support of the ergonomically desirable switch-over between the hollow and round back by the patent for supported lordosis-kyphosis movement, as well as patents for a simplified seat depth adjustment and automatic weight adjustment.
 
The spinal column is relieved significantly. The advantages for the users are obvious. Better seating, easier relaxation and simpler handling. A nomination for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany was the result.

The powerful plastic plain bearings show their strength in the patented "Glide-Tec+" movement kinematics. The lordosis-kyphosis adaptation, a kind of artificial spinal column, is the special highlight of the chair. Movable plastic elements rest on two bent metal rods, which rotate as soon as the user leans back. Thereby the support elements are bent in such a way that the shape of the backrest fit exactly to each sitting position. It is one of the most flexible backrests in the world.
 
The rotary motion is implemented by plain bearings with flange made of the material with versatile use iglidur® J. In this application with a hard chrome shaft, it is distinguished by maximum wear resistance and freedom from noise. Due to the necessary tolerance compensation and for reliably supporting the smooth running, to compensate for possible clearance and to achieve the required low noise, the plain bearings are pretensioned. "Squeaking, creaking or jerking should never occur in a chair of this price segment," says head of design, Franz Eckert.

The plain bearings in the office chair are designed for a weight of up to 200 kilograms. Once the user sits down, the automatic weight measurement takes place. When this high pressure load occurs, the iglidur® G material displays its strength. It is an economical universal bearing with flange, which is available from stock in more than 650 dimensions. The main design advantage in this application is that it continuously withstands high loads structurally without getting damaged.
 
In the seat depth adjustment, here a purely linear motion, JUM linear liners made from the material iglidur® J display their strength. Due to the special web structure suited for linear movements, they have low friction coefficients ​​and with stainless steel as counter partner, have excellent running and noise behaviour that are required in the long term. "The dreaded stick-slip effect doesn't occur at any point," said the head of design, pointing out a major aspect. "All settings work reliably and quietly." “
 
Positive aspects are also noted in the avoidance of lubrication. The high-quality office chair is available in numerous versions and is custom mounted at the office location. "Since the installer doesn't use grease, the risk of accidental soiling of very high quality seat or back upholstery is minimised," remarks Eckert.

Standard plain bearings from the extensive igus® modular kit system, which contains the right bearing for almost any application, are exclusively used in the executive chair, which has been in the market since 2006. Special solutions for plain bearings should be avoided from the outset, in order to focus on the main theme - the ergonomics of the chair. Extensive sampling and technical consultations have taken place prior to the development. The bearings are then subjected to various tests in the in-house test facilities. Here the features of smooth running, low noise as well as ruggedness and durability have been the focus. "But only during real application on site do we see whether all requirements are met," says Eckert. "Today we can say that they have proven themselves. We haven't received any complaints so far. " Even when it comes to economy, the decision has paid off for the plastic bearings. The savings are estimated to be about 50 percent due to the use of igus plain bearings.