The Embody chair uses a range of DSM materials in its construction

Office furniture company Herman Miller selected three material families from Netherlands-based DSM for the production of key elements of its Embody chair.

The chair’s ergonomic design is a departure from the usual ergonomics in office furniture and instead has design elements that mimic the human spine, providing support that promotes improved circulation and increased oxygenation to the brain, according to Herman Miller.

In order to meet the design specification DSM provided Akulon Polyamide 6 for support structures, and Arnitel TPC and Sarlink TPE for seating layers.

The Embody arms, arm pedestals, back frame spine, and back frame antlers, all manufactured in Akulon K224-G6U, provide structural support for the body-cradling design elements of the chair.

These parts, which require a high degree of strength, stiffness and excellent surface aesthetics, were subjected to a range of tests including impacts, drop tests, frame flexures, as well as chemical resistance of assembled chairs.

She has since received her first delivery of injection moulded modules and is very pleased with the outcome.

“It’s really like Lego,” she says, “every part must be right so that they all fit together perfectly.”

The injection moulded modules are stronger than the earlier ones as the process allowed them to be 0.6mm thicker. The notches on the tips of the diamonds are square, rather than round, and the folding hinges could be bent in both directions – not just in one, as was the case with the prototype.

Since the first lamp was created Gruhle has used some 150 injection moulded modules to create a cocoon-like hanging lamp. Her design has subsequently been featured in German design magazines and will be on display at the Euromold exhibition in Franfurt in December.