Inside Asian Gaming

MArch 2016 inside asian gaming 39 BASIC THINKING Basic ergonomic concepts that should be considered by manufacturers when designing new products—and for casino operators when integrating them onto their casino floor—are aesthetics, comfort, the ease of use, performance management, productivity and, of course, safety. “The DNA of every one of our seating products begins with ergonomic principles,” said Ed Abadie, design engineer at Gary Platt Manufacturing, a Reno, Nevada-based supplier of casino seating. “The design ensures there is a good lumbar support, the correct seat and back molded foam densities for the surface areas are used and the alignment of back angles to seat are correct. Base designs should also have ergonomically correct seat-to-footrest ratios for comfort and provide the user stability at all gaming heights offered.” Casino ergonomics continue to evolve and with the help of research and development suppliers are better able to integrate the health benefits of ergonomic theory into their products. One of the main objectives of ergonomic seating and hardware is to ensure the subtle yet important aspects of user comfort are merged into the product’s proper function. Let’s face it: people who are comfortable are likely more beneficial for the operation over longer time periods. This applies to employee productivity as well as increased time on device from the patron. For example, Gaming Support studied how cards were being dealt at blackjack tables. They came to realize that repetitive strains and injuries to dealers could be lessened if cards came out of the shoe easier. They also discovered that table game cloth that allowed for easier handling of cards was beneficial for both dealers and players. “We maximized the ‘reach-radius’ for customers and dealers, so playing live games isn’t tiring,” van Linden said. Of course, Gaming Support is not the only casino furniture and hardware provider embracing the science of ergonomics. Below you will find a brief roundup of other companies that have realized added value and benefit to their customers by integrating ergonomics into product design. GARY PLATT MANUFACTURING Gary Platt Manufacturing has been designing and building seating for the casino business for over 40 years and has focused a keen eye on customer comfort from the start. “From its beginning, Gary Platt has put a premium on using the highest quality materials in its seating, as well as being one of the pioneers in ensuring ergonomic principles are used in every design and style we offer,” Abadie said. “It has, in many cases, allowed us to be in the forefront of design and certainly in seating comfort. From our contemporary designs to the more classic designs, ergonomic comfort is the primary concern. Our customers have trusted us with the development and design of custom seating products, knowing that our ergonomic criterion extends to our sound chairs, benches and many other custom seating solutions we have designed for them.” According to Abadie, the company’s classic Gazelle line of seats introduced the gaming industry to the benefits of ergonomic design, a concept the company continues to evolve and grow. “From our X-Tended Play products to the newly developed X2-Tended Play seating, the Gary Platt Classic series has been ergonomically updated,” Abadie said. “The newly introduced and ergonomically designed LIDO series is proving to be a best seller along with several newly designed base options such as the Epic Base.” “The key to the success of our products is the focus on seating comfort, and the interchangeability of seat head style and base designs,” Abadie added. “This offers the customer the ability to develop a look unique to their property. We also feel that because the focus of our seating is to extend the users ‘time-on-device’ by using correct ergonomic design, it sets us apart from our competition.” ECLECTIC CONTRACT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES ECLECTIC Contract Furniture Industries is a long standing furniture fabrication company with a well-established history of providing customers with quality furniture and case goods for almost any conceived design, according to company literature. Their proven manufacturing technique delivers furnishings with beauty, style, function and durability. ECLECTIC products have been installed in the hospitality field across the U.S. and the Caribbean. They have provided furnishings for thousands of accommodations, in addition to numerous dining, corporate and entertaining establishments ranging from boutique hotels and high-end branded properties to resorts and casino hotels. Alex Marc, president of ELECTIC, said that the company’s popular collections Lido X2-Tended Play chair from Gary Platt Features