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 CAD prototype shown with two monitors and desk top at full retraction
CAD prototype shown with two monitors and desk top in transition 
 CAD prototype shown with two monitors and desk top at full extension 
Ergonomics study of my reach while seated 

Desk 2022
Product Design
       Human Factors Design 
       Ergonomics
       Furniture Design
       Design for Manufacture
For a few years I lived/worked out of a massive warehouse studio (~1400-1600sqft) and every time I wanted a bit more workspace I could just get another table.  My workspace expanded like a gas.  I think I peaked at near 100 sqft of tabletop area across a half-dozen different work zones.  I don’t have a problem...I have a dedicated space for every different kind of project ☺️ GLORIOUS!


At least it was until I moved out into separate, more reasonably modestly sized, living and working accommodations.  Then I had a problem:  too many damn desks.  I had to downsize and consolidate in order to fit.  So I set about designing a desk that would offer the maximal usable area with a minimal footprint.


Bonus objectives:  
  • Easy assembly/disassembly 
  • Design for extensibility
  • Utilize off-the-shelf components
  • Minimize fabrication (machining, sawing, etc.)
  • Provide functional storage/organization


I began with an Ergonomics Study.  First I measured my comfortable reach zones and used this to set the dimensions of the desktop.  At AAxBB, only the furthest corners lay outside of my most comfortable reach.  I have tended to prefer deeper desks in the past so I was surprised at the shallow depth suggested by my reach zones.  The reason for this became clear as I shifted my focus away from the desk surface itself.  My ideal monitor placement is several inches past my reach zone and pretty high off the desk surface (long torso problems).  Thankfully my desired legroom needs align pretty well with the monitor placement.


Based on the monitor and legroom my ideal desk size would be very deep, with a huge footprint.  But if I do that much of the back of the desk top would lie outside of my reach zone, effectively dead space.  How can I reconcile these conflicting specs?


Make the desktop slide!  I can make the desk surface just  inches deep and have it slide towards me by ZZ inches to achieve my desired legroom and monitor distance.  Plus by purchasing a YYxAA inch desktop I could use the piece I cut off to create an integrated Monitor Shelf.


From there I set about designing the sliding mechanism.  

My main concerns were:
  • Balancing smooth glide and stiction
  • Making it secure enough that the desktop wouldnt tip forward


For materials I settled on T-Slot aluminum rail for the frame. While expensive I felt this material choice had a number of redeeming factors:
  1. Aluminum is rigid, lightweight, and highly recyclable
  2. T-Slot rail in particular is very versatile and easily repurpose it in future projects if need be
  3. T-Slot fixtures are highly adjustable, a major boon for what is essentially a functional prototype.


The desktop itself was purchased from a vendor that sells sit-stand desks.


The flexibility of T-Slot rail has allowed for several reconfigurations since the Desk was initially completed.  At the moment I have integrated 2 ikea skadis pegboards.  One sits behind below the desk surface as a cable management hub while the other hangs to the side of the desk as a sort of shelf/organizational hub.
2022-2023
    Sliding Desk Design

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