Uplift: Packable height

 

I was changing steel filament on some MetalXs at Markforged and one was on a slightly higher table – which meant my reach was 3 inches short of grabbing the spool. Not okay. I figured this was a problem I could easily print my way out of… so that night I took some wheelchair measurements and CADed this design.

I wanted to be able to easily pack it in a backpack, so I sized the halves to print on the smaller print-bed. The connecting links – shape-optimized for support-free printing – are reinforced with fiberglass.

I can assemble and get on it in 30-40 seconds. The goal for the next version will be under 10 seconds…

 
Note the lip on the front edge – this restrains the sitzbones so I sit taller and won’t slide forward. Compared to the flat edge, it works surprisingly well.

Note the lip on the front edge – this restrains the sitzbones so I sit taller and won’t slide forward. Compared to the flat edge, it works surprisingly well.

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The unreinforced plastic halves deform considerably but are held by the fiberglass-filled links. When I’m sitting, some of my weight goes through my legs, so it’s not a huge issue.

The unreinforced plastic halves deform considerably but are held by the fiberglass-filled links. When I’m sitting, some of my weight goes through my legs, so it’s not a huge issue.

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