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09.23.08
CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK— WHIRLWIND GETS A DOUBLE DRUM TESTER
With support from Instructor and all-around wheelchair handyman Bob Incerti, and
Bearing Agencies of San Francisco, Whirlwind’s Chris Howard has built a double drum testing machine that will be used to fatigue test Whirlwind’s product designs.
If run continuously the double drum test simulates 5 years of use over cobblestone streets in about 3 days and nights.
In order to meet the ISO specifications, a wheelchair weighted with a 100 kilo (220 pound) dummy must be able to withstand 200,000 cycles on the double drum without breaking.
ISO standards are based on the European environment, so Whirlwind builds its chairs to twice the ISO test standard which should ensure they do not break in
the rougher conditions of developing countries.
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