SE ATING R E V IEW
The lightest
mattress in
the air
Automotive inspired
Aerofoam Industries has noticed
that car manufacturers have been
focussing on seat aesthetics and
comfort, and has thus decided to
derive its new dress cover process
from automotive seat design.
However, greater refinement and
testing is necessary to translate
the processes and materials into
aerospace, so Aerofoam has spent
over three years researching
automotive dress cover manufacturing
before bringing a system to market
that maximises cushion comfort as
well as dress cover aesthetics.
The research process saw members
of the Aerofoam team work with an
adhesive supplier to develop speciality
glues which work with materials
ranging from leather and synthetics,
to fabrics and backing materials. The
backing fabrics are custom made,
which allows the dress covers to move
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
JUNE 2019
080
Aircraft seat
cushions featuring
Vanema’s Octaspring technology
can bring benefits to aircraft seating,
in terms of comfort, ergonomics and
weight savings. Vanema has now
developed Octasmart, a mattress
specially designed for first class
suites and which the company says
is the lightest mattress in the air. The
surface intelligently matches the
support required for specific body
around complex curves
and stay wrinkle free.
Another highlight of this
process is the foams used.
Aerofoam recently unveiled
graphite-filled comfort foams
formulated for tear strength and
durability, which allow for greater
elongation – a critical factor in
dress cover construction.
The company’s design and
pattern department can work from
renderings, reverse engineer an
existing style or design a cover and
cushion from scratch, including
options for stitching, embossing
and complex shapes. Aerofoam
uses 3D-design software
to ensure dress covers
fit smoothly around
complex curvatures
such as headrests
and seatbacks.
zones, to deliver comfort and support.
The open structure of the technology
also makes it a claimed eight-times
more breathable than a standard
mattress, creating a sleep surface that
is 3°C cooler so passengers can sleep
faster, deeper and longer.
The Octasmart mattress is also
claimed to be 30% lighter compared
to its closest foam equivalent, and
has an after-life recycling program
to support its sustainability.
Aerofoam has
developed six
grades of graphitefilled
comfort
foams
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com