mgmetalworks
Explorer
A while back I was approached by a member of this forum about a unique seating solution for his van. He wanted a bench seat, a bed and to be able to use the space in the van when not using the seat. After a bunch of ideas and 3D renderings back and forth, we decided on this design… This shows one side, there is another seat mounted to the opposite side that completes the full-width bench. Dimensions are roughly 48" x 60" with both seats in flat configuration.
![render 1.JPG render 1.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117382-4c95936e69fe00b02b70504c6fcd83fa.jpg)
![render 2.JPG render 2.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117383-983b8c592fe392c61f7e22a1d38f17ea.jpg)
![render 3.JPG render 3.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117384-6bcfb977ed31f5b110d2181d168cb01a.jpg)
and rendering of the bare seat frame
![render4.JPG render4.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117385-c88d1c303cf37b335664d5d1cdff9b1e.jpg)
When the model was dialed in, parts were ordered and the fabrication got underway. Here are couple teaser shots of the weekend’s progress.
A pile of parts fresh off the waterjet
![DSC_0212.JPG DSC_0212.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117386-f600b8d9a2d61458556f02fe07739f3e.jpg)
some linkage parts
![DSC_0219.JPG DSC_0219.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117387-971b9211578778cc368e34272be8ba76.jpg)
Fresh steel welds so nicely!
![DSC_0222.JPG DSC_0222.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117390-f97cd68fa8f13f79bc2d376816aebb8e.jpg)
Folded up, looking at the bottom of the seat
![DSC_0221.JPG DSC_0221.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117388-6477cdd5d2158e82560aca569ce2d5d0.jpg)
random shot of fit and detail
![DSC_0225.JPG DSC_0225.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117389-c72f06d54ae6f308d4b7922b2d2f4f1e.jpg)
I designed a lot of self-aligning features into the parts to make things go together quickly and it worked out really well. Solidworks is really a great tool for this type of work. Still a lot to do but its turning out pretty good for a prototype. The lie-flat position will need some sort of support for the back of the seat and latch releases won't work out like I had in my head during design but that's all part of the process.
![render 1.JPG render 1.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117382-4c95936e69fe00b02b70504c6fcd83fa.jpg)
![render 2.JPG render 2.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117383-983b8c592fe392c61f7e22a1d38f17ea.jpg)
![render 3.JPG render 3.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117384-6bcfb977ed31f5b110d2181d168cb01a.jpg)
and rendering of the bare seat frame
![render4.JPG render4.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117385-c88d1c303cf37b335664d5d1cdff9b1e.jpg)
When the model was dialed in, parts were ordered and the fabrication got underway. Here are couple teaser shots of the weekend’s progress.
A pile of parts fresh off the waterjet
![DSC_0212.JPG DSC_0212.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117386-f600b8d9a2d61458556f02fe07739f3e.jpg)
some linkage parts
![DSC_0219.JPG DSC_0219.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117387-971b9211578778cc368e34272be8ba76.jpg)
Fresh steel welds so nicely!
![DSC_0222.JPG DSC_0222.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117390-f97cd68fa8f13f79bc2d376816aebb8e.jpg)
Folded up, looking at the bottom of the seat
![DSC_0221.JPG DSC_0221.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117388-6477cdd5d2158e82560aca569ce2d5d0.jpg)
random shot of fit and detail
![DSC_0225.JPG DSC_0225.JPG](https://expeditionportal.com/forum/data/attachments/117/117389-c72f06d54ae6f308d4b7922b2d2f4f1e.jpg)
I designed a lot of self-aligning features into the parts to make things go together quickly and it worked out really well. Solidworks is really a great tool for this type of work. Still a lot to do but its turning out pretty good for a prototype. The lie-flat position will need some sort of support for the back of the seat and latch releases won't work out like I had in my head during design but that's all part of the process.