Sewing machine adaptation

Adaptation of industrial sewing machines for the integration of people with disabilities

Year 2014-15

MovingStick is an adaptation for industrial sewing machines designed for users with physical disabilities.

The traditional use of pedals is replaced by levers activated by the arm, allowing people with reduced mobility to be employed in a sector such as fashion, which employs one in six people worldwide.

A system is easy to attach, removable, and does not need to leave an adapted machine all the time.

Our aim is to offer job and higher education opportunities for people with physical disability. Promoting their autonomy and contributing directly to society.

#MovingStick

#Moving3Dmachine

A project to offer new jobs to people with physical disabilities.

The Project

We designed an adaptation for industrial sewing machines, aimed at people with motor limitations in their legs.

The traditional use of pedals is replaced by forearm-activated levers, allowing the motor to be activated without using the feet.

One of the greatest advantages is its easy assembly, a simple system for fitting to existing machines without the need for alterations or additional costs, or leaving a machine adapted all the time.
MovingStick is made with 3D printing, an increasingly widespread technology that allows products to be manufactured locally in different qualities and at different prices.

Impact

Benefits

People with physical disability

Learning opportunity not existing so far. Employment as a professional garment maker.
Entrepreneurial, self-employed (arrangements, design crafts, etc).
Fixing your own clothes.

Learning centres:

Increase the number of students and services.
Growth in their social commitment.
Promote inclusive design among new generations.
It contributes to break stereotypes towards disability.

Industry

Comply with the legislation.
Improve and increase CSR.
Get efficient and very loyal employees.

Foundations and Social Entities:

Support in training grants.
Increase the area of work with a new opportunity for work and training.
Support in labour insertion.

City councils and local governments:

Offers training scholarships.
Reduce the unemployment rate of people with diversity.
It reduces the costs in pensions of the community.

Society

To improve the quality of life of individuals, their families and the whole community.

New design

PLA, Polylactic Acid or Polylactide:

Features of the new design:

More ergonomic, with a perfect fit to the forearm.
It is lighter and easier to handle.
It has double functionality, it can be rotated to attach to the motor under the table, or left upright to attach to the foot of the machine.
Without the need to leave an adapted machine all the time.

How did we do it?

The 3D design has been based on an adaptation made by Carlos Espinosa, inventor and user of the system. He has 20 years of experience working as a manufacturer in wheelchairs. Together with Nestor Aparicio and his team at Tangencial, we have designed, developed and printed the pieces. Movingmood is in charge of the strategy, implementation methodology, coordination and scalability.

This project has been made possible thanks to the support of the Social Challenges Innovation Platform which is financed by the European Union under the Horizon2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant agreement number 734906.

Schools and centres

The fashion industry employs 1 in 6 people worldwide. An excellent sector to create employment.

Escola de la Dona- DIBA, Barcelona, Spain

Fundació Ared Subsidised courses, Barcelona, Spain

Di+Moda, Madrid, Spain

Czestochowa Imago foundation. YAVA, Poland

Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, USA

Ready One Industries, Texas, USA

Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, UK

The MovingStick Adaptation

Are you a training centre and do you want to become an accessible centre?