Engineers slide in and justice triumphs
An
Unimatic Engineers product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 14, 2001
Antiques of the future are being created with precision engineering components in the Chambers of Mark Strachen QC at the Inns of Court, the very centre of the British justice system.
Antiques of the future are being created with precision engineering components in the Chambers of Mark Strachen QC at the Inns of Court, the very centre of the British justice system.
Architect and furniture designer Justin Bere has used high tech linear slides from Unimatic to create a two dimensional grid so that flat screen computers can be moved freely about a five-man workstation used by the Chambers1 legal clerks.
"The clerks often need considerable desk space to layout numbers of large legal documents.
But they also need constant access to the information held on the Chambers1 computer," explains Bere.
"Freely movable flat screens over a large desk proved to be the most ergonomic design." Bere approached Unimatic to not only supply the equipment, but also to help with the technical aspects of the design.
The workstation is fully serviced with IT equipment, telephones and individual lighting, much of which is moveable.
The cabling system had to accommodate this, yet be completely unobtrusive.
Additionally it had to have the flexibility to meet future changes in need, which are inevitable as the working life of this furniture is going to be measured in decades at the very least.
Additionally the motion characteristics of the flat screens were critical if they were to fulfil their ergonomic role of being easy to use.
Unimatic therefore looked carefully at the mechanics of the way the clerks push and pull the screens, back and forward, left and right, and calculated precise preloads and friction characteristics for the system.
The results of these calculations implied that it would be best to use profiled rails for the back and forward movements, but shaft and bushing systems for the traverse axis across the desk.
With this information, Unimatic engineers and Bere architects jointly produced a concept design that met both technical needs and aesthetic aspirations.
"The rails are mounted, on their sides, under the desk and are completely out of sight," explains Bere.
"The shafts are above the desk, so are clearly visible.
They look great, complementing the high tech, super efficient image of the computer and contrasting wonderfully with the panelling and leather that gives the Chambers its air of experience and authority." Lord Justice Strachen is delighted with the result, saying it has created exactly the right atmosphere for a QC1s Chambers, tradition and technology.
And Bere is already talking to several other judges and barristers about bespoke furniture for their Chambers for this (and probably the next) century!.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Unimatic Engineers
Related Stories
- Power Jacks actuators used in Wimbledon roof
- HMK incorporates Schaeffler actuators into range
- Miniature linear actuator used in locking system
- Datwyler systems keep motorway tunnels safe
- Actuator provides precise temperature control
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
