CNC Routing for Sculptural Wood Manufacturing of Chairs
Brodie-Neill-Alpha-Chairaa.jpg
Furniture design and maker Brodie Neill presented his Alpha Chair at the fall Maison & Objet show in Paris. Working under his Made in Ratio brand,  Neill creates what he calls "boundary-pushing contemporary furniture."
 
"The brand was forged from a desire to take exceptional ideas from inception to production by embracing experimental processes," says Neill, who is based in London.
 
The Alpha Chair reflects Neill’s quest to push boundaries in terms of design and material usage. "It is a production-ready version, a solid-wood all-purpose chair produced using the latest production technologies of shaped wooden furniture," says Neill/ The name Alpha is derived from the strong architectural gesture that gives the chair its inherent strength: the A shaped structure of the back legs and backrest.
Through the Alpha Chair, MNeill says he has explored the use of CNC routering technique as a high-production tool rather than a prototyping technology. The design uses digital sculpting, taking away the reliance on moulds. By adopting contemporary digital processes of design and manufacture, "the Alpha Chair takes on an almost seamless appearance in contrast to the more traditional joinery of chair design where each element is exposed," Neill says. The chair organically and sensually moulds all the components into one.
Other notable pieces on show will include the Cowrie Chair and Rocker, the award-winning Supernova Table and the modular Tetra Shelf.
.

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user billesler
About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.