DJ Table Develoment: August 2013

Friday, August 23, 2013

Manufacturing Search

I contacted a guy who did a really amazingly beautiful series of furniture and funded it on Kickstarter.
I could not get his email so I could only contact him through the kickstarter website. I would have prefered to cc you on it but anyway, here is a copy of the letter:

We can use it as a template to contact as many people we find that have been successful at this to garner their wisdom and get some dependable manufactures to help us come up with a reasonable estimate and hopefully get it built.

------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Cameron

Hope this message finds you well.

I am architect in Norway and I am currently working on a furniture project (a table) with a frined of mine. We are considering putting it out on Kickstarter for funding.

I came across your fantastic furniture series on the site and thought I would drop you a line.
We have not done this before and so we were wondering if you have any words of advise for us.
The main thing we need now is a person to build a prototype and secondly a contact to manufacture the tables on a larger scale. We were thinking about 25 tables.

Would you be able to help pointing us in the right direction?

Best Regards,

Don

-------------------------------------------------------------------

more about Cameron:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/384880985/quality-handmade-sustainable-furniture-for-every-h

3D visualizations (focus on the legs)

I did a quick mock up to see how the legs would look and function.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Inspiration

A little bit of assembly and I lot of stability

Sketch 2

This is the first sketch.
Materials:
table top: wood
Legs: metal

I was primarily focusing on working out the legs of the table in this round. Haven't gotten to the other functionalities yet.

The idea is that it should be assembled like a kit of parts rather than fold out.
I was weighing hard whether it should be a fold out or assembled.
It would be really nice if it could be folded out, just as a matter of ease and convenience, but I think it raises the complexity quite a lot. In two senses at least. The first is that it would make the construction and design more expensive (you would need to work and rework a prototype to make sure that it glides open smoothly and stays stable once it is up) which brings me to the second issue, stability. Most of the folding tables on the market are shaky and I think that has in large part has to do with the base width: they are too narrow. I am suggesting here that we go with a broad base that stretches out an adjusts to any terrain. Perhaps it could land on mars; You will notice that it has adjustable circular pod bases. The entire leg base is also wider than the width of the table itself. So to accomplish this I am proposing either a telescoping tube or a single tube that fits in the table when in compact mode.

I was inspired by this solution here:

Of-course, I don't propose to make anywhere near as long and complex a procedure as shown here.
This should be able to be set up by a drunk idiot in under 5 minuits.

The other feature I should mention here is also that it is adjustable height. see the sleeve on the vertical parts on the legs.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Program for a DJ Stand

andyredrum.com / dj andyredrum / diagrasm.com / diagrasm directive / directive 14 / denizens' lounge / ramel the hell / systemaencephale.com / systemae

program:

the primary function of this stand is for DJs and their equipment when performing live at an event, party, or venue. it is common for lower budget events to use a portable or folding table to place all needed equipment. this provides enough space for all 'base' equipment as well as for the DJ's own equipment. the limitation of this is that tables are much too low for proper performances, leaving the DJ hunched over on stage. current dj stands available on the market appear very flimsy, do not accommodate a variety of equipment. there are units that are very design oriented and unique, but they are very expensive, and are not considered portable. the design of this unit should be expressive and unique, and stand out. it should be priced well below a high end unit but provide stability and character, and be functional according to the points below. it should also be portable so it can be a strong option for club and bars and event organizers in place of the typical white folding table, or be part of a DJ's key equipment to complement whatever infrastructure is already in place.

the design of this system will incorporate industrial aesthetic qualities; mimic nyc subway system elements, tracks.

key features of all models should include:

ability to accommodate laptop, but can be modular in its placement (5 points around table?); height should also be adjustable to 2-3 different points, if possible. the range of motion can be low to high depending on the three models, ie., the entry level may not have adjustable height, and the club level may accommodate two laptops in 6-7 different points, with adjustable heights.

ability to accommodate midi controller and mixer, or mixer and two turntables or cd decks (party level can accommodate 3 decks and club can accommodate 4? can these be expanded in a modular way if space is needed?);

three models:

1. entry level, portable, can accommodate cabling, laptop, mixing equipment.

2. party level, portable, used for bars, house parties, outdoor small events, traveling DJ, weddings and other parties, can accommodate cabling and monitors.

3. club level, portable/semi-permanent, used for clubs, bars, festivals and major events, can accommodate heavier cabling, equipment.

Where to find Manufacturers and Production Partners

http://fiverr.com/
Google Search
Ask furniture people
Ask Kickstarter prople

First draft/ sketch

What's on the market already

Regular Fold ut set up. Realy cheap and practical and portable, but ugly as all hell.

http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-FZF3336-Flight-Foldout-Stand/dp/B001Q3KSPC

a very nice one, but too expensive $2000 and it is not so portable I think. Also wouldn't be surprised if Steve Jobs raises from his grave to sue this guy.

http://knstrct.com/2011/02/02/hoerboard-dj-stand/