Background Information

2001
University of Pittsburgh representatives consult on wheelchair design and accessibility in India
photo of University of Pittsburgh representatives in India
Dr. Rory Cooper meets with A Limb Company (ALIMCO) engineers
photo of Dr. Cooper and ALIMCO engineers
ALIMCO produces both wheelchairs and arm-powered tricycles as mobility devices for people with lower extremity impairments.
The design of their products is based on circa 1950 Everest & Jennings wheelchair technology, and on British arm-powered tricycle technology of about the same period.
Low-carbon steel is the primary structural material used for wheelchair manufacturing by ALIMCO. More modern materials are not available reliably and affordably. Fabrication is done by hand with equipment vintage of the 1940's. However some CNC equipment is available. Simple jigs and hand brass-welding (brazing) are the primary assembly methods.

Testing facilities consist of a modified version of the ISO double-drum tester.

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