The S-shaped chair shell: 90 x 43.5 x 1.1 cm of moulded bent plywood — a seat-and-back shell pressed to the ergonomic S-curve in one piece. This is not a flat panel with a curve; it is a compound-curved form, the reason moulded plywood chairs exist at all.
What the dimensions mean
At 90 x 43.5 cm the shell covers a standard chair seat-and-back footprint. At 1.1 cm it is thin — but a chair shell’s stiffness comes from its form, not its thickness: the S-curve and the wrapped edges give the shell its rigidity out of plane, which is why a 1.1 cm moulded shell can carry a sitter where a 1.1 cm flat panel could not carry a shelf.
Specifications
| Construction | Moulded bent plywood, compound S-curve |
| Dimensions | 90 x 43.5 x 1.1 cm |
| Faces | To your specification — raw, or ash, walnut or other veneers |
| Springback | Typically 1–3% |
| Finishes | Raw, sanded, oiled, stained or lacquered |
| MOQ | From 1 piece |
| Lead time | Prototype 7–15 days · bulk 15–30 days |
| Certification | FSC/PEFC materials available |
Where this size is used
- Moulded seating — the seat-and-back shell of a chair, in one pressed piece.
- Contract and hospitality seating — identical shells every cycle from the same mould.
- Prototype shells — form studies for seating designs in development.
- Stool and occasional seating — compact shells for small frames.
The engineering of a shell
A chair shell is the most demanding bent plywood part there is, because it curves in two directions at once. The veneers have to be laid up so the grain accommodates both the seat curve and the back curve; the mould has to press the compound form without the thin section wrinkling on the inside of the curve; and the part has to come out with enough residual stiffness to carry a sitter. The cross-laminated construction is what makes it possible — the layers pull against each other, so the shell holds its compound form and resists the oil-canning that a single-piece shell would show.
Faces, edges and finishing
Shells are supplied with the face you specify — raw birch for your own veneering, or faced with white ash for a pale surface and black walnut for a premium one. The edges are usually left visible on a moulded shell, and they show the layer lines: the honest signature of the construction, and on many designs a deliberate detail. Finishes follow the face species, and because the shell is handled, we recommend a finish that can be renewed in place.
Frequently asked questions
Can the shell be made to our ergonomic drawing?
Yes — shells are moulded to your drawing; compound S-curves are the core of what this construction does.
Is 1.1 cm strong enough for a chair?
Yes — the stiffness comes from the compound form and the wrapped edges, not the thickness. That is why moulded shells work at this section.
What face species are available?
Raw birch, or faced with white ash, black walnut and other species to your specification.
Can mounting points be machined into the shell?
Yes — drilled and routed fixing points to your specification, machined before finishing.
Summary
90 x 43.5 x 1.1 cm of moulded bent plywood — a compound S-curved shell, identical every cycle from the same mould. Send the drawing with your ergonomic profile and face specification; we confirm the layup, quote within 24 hours, and deliver prototypes in 7–15 days.
Sizing at a glance
| Length | 90 cm — standard chair seat-and-back footprint |
| Width | 43.5 cm — covers a standard seat |
| Section | 1.1 cm — thin; stiffness from the compound form |
| Primary use | Moulded seating shells, contract seating, prototypes |
| Load class | Seat duty — the S-curve and wrapped edges supply rigidity |
Programme notes
A shell programme is a mould programme. The compound S-curve is pressed in a mould built to your ergonomic profile, the mould produces every unit, and it stays on file — so a seating collection can be re-ordered years later with the same curve. Where the ergonomics evolve between prototype and production, the mould is revised and the revision documented against the approved sample. For contract programmes, we supply test samples before the run so the shell is verified in your assembly, not just against the drawing.
Shells are packed with the compound surface fully supported — a shell is the easiest part in the range to damage in transit and the hardest to straighten afterwards. Every shipment carries inspection reports and the standard warranty.
Summary
90 x 43.5 x 1.1 cm of moulded bent plywood — a compound S-curved shell, identical every cycle from the same mould. Send the drawing with your ergonomic profile and face specification; we confirm the layup, quote within 24 hours, and deliver prototypes in 7–15 days.
Quick Specifications
| SKU | JX-BP-GEN-08 |
|---|---|
| Material | Hardwood (specify on enquiry) |
| Process | Lamination (bent plywood) |
| Dimensions (L x W x T) | 90 x 43.5 x 1.1 cm |
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