The use and validation of a laser scanner for computer aided design and manufacturing of wheelchair seating

Professionals in wheelchair seating services over several decades have captured many thousands of patient shapes in various forms to manufacture customized seating systems for people with complex disabilities. With the exception of a few commercial companies, the predominant methodology employs a plaster casting technique to record the required shape. This can be labour-intensive and shape information is often retained in the cast and may not be recoverable over time due to storage issues. This paper describes the development of processes utilizing a laser scanner to advance the fabrication of customized seating systems. The study employed two 3D laser scanners and hence validated the use of the lower cost scanner (accuracy ± 0.1mm) for both research purposes and clinical work. The paper concludes that these technologies have the potential to develop the knowledge of individuals' shapes with complex disabilities within specialist seating and other clinical fields. © 2011 Informa UK, Ltd.