Cars are getting smaller and smarter. Houses now come with space-saving innovations and enhancements. Computers have shrunk down to silent svelte units that fit within the palm of your hand.
Unfortunately, in this age of space-saving, one of the world’s most widely used pieces of furniture has received little attention: lockers. Every day, millions of students cope with the headaches of cramped quarters from high school to college lockers. Administrators worry over the fire hazards of over-populated hallways. Teachers often complain of jammed bottlenecks. Schools are growing too fast and lockers get shoved into narrow corridors and awkward corners.
It is too bad that only a few companies are noticing the challenges being faced. Obviously, lockers will be around for a very long time. No one expects to turn lockers into a smartphones, but anyone can see that locker design companies can implement a few smart changes.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
The easy solution for student lockers is to order a few thousand and stack them in a big hallway. Unfortunately, not every school has an expansive hallway or has any space left with much usability. This is where CAD or computer-aided design comes in. Rather than taking the stock option and stuffing it in any given space, locker designers can unleash the power of current technology to customize lockers for a specific space. Whether it’s a low ceiling or the need for shorter door clearance, CAD is a tool that understands space limitations and integrates it with an innovative locker design. CAD gives the design engineers the ability to work within existing space restrictions and design a locker to fit perfectly.
Computer-aided Manufacturing
Locker design companies should also employ active use of the manufacturing technology available to them. With computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), the days of having one single locker size are gone. Now, manufacturing professionals can employ customizable machinery and tooling to roll out new designs with little downtime. Because CAM can quickly adapt to new design projects without extensive equipment overhaul, manufacturing has taken on more of a “job shop” approach—churning out custom design concepts for individual needs.
New challenges often require innovation, and one of the largest challenges of locker assembly has been the one-size-fits-all challenge. When it comes to lockers, schools, and space, one size doesn’t fit all. Using current technology like CAD and CAM is the obvious solution to the space challenge. A locker manufacturing company should consider adding these features to their repertoire in order to meet the challenge head-on.
If they do, maybe we’ll start seeing lockers lining staircases.
DeBourgh has a wide variety of lockers, including gym lockers, sports lockers, stadium lockers, as well as custom designed lockers made to suit your needs.
