RCID

Bed Rail

Problem

Local entrepreneur Phillip Parnell of Parnell Products needed verification of the strength of his bed rail design.

Analytical Work

A combination of hand calculations and Finite Element Stress analysis methods were used to check that the design of his first, fixed height, bed rail was adequately strong for the loadings from the relevant British Standard.

Practical Load Testing

For the improved, adjustable height “Parnell Premier” bed rail physical testing was thought to be more relevant since a prototype had already been made.

Testing was carried out in the RCID’s labs with the frame of the bed represented by a square hollow section steel tube. Loads were applied to the rail using both test weights for vertical loads and a turnbuckle arrangement with a load cell for horizontal directions. The rail successfully passed all the strength tests.

Customer Feedback

Philip Parnell said “The RCID was extremely thorough and efficient in carrying out its structural analysis of our product. I personally was very impressed at the extent to which they exceeded expectations and can thoroughly and unreservedly recommend the RCID to any other business/manufacturer”.