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| Industry | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Pasco, Washington, United States |
| Area served | Global |
| Key people | David Lippes (CEO) |
| Products | Wheelchairs |
| Parent | TiSports LLC |
| Website | tilite |
TiLite is a company that produces custom ultralight manual wheelchairs made from titanium, aluminum, and carbon fiber materials. The company is known for creating personalized wheelchairs through a process called TiFit, which involves tailoring each wheelchair to the exact specifications of its user.
History
Today, TiLite designs and manufactures wheelchairs, but it originally got its start manufacturing high performance bicycle frames as Ti Sport Tech (TST). In 1988 TST was incorporated by David Lippes and soon after started producing rigid manual wheelchair frames from titanium. Tilite's dual tube frame design found in some of their chairs was based on the triangular design of most bicycle frames.
One of its earliest models being the "CrossSport." Over time, the company has expanded its range of offerings to include titanium and aluminum wheelchairs.
As a division of TiSport, LLC, TiLite's headquarters are located in Pasco, Washington. In 2014, the company was acquired by Permobil, a Swedish company that makes power wheelchairs and seating systems.
Technology
TiLite uses Titanium for the frames of several lines of its wheelchairs. Titanium has unique properties, but because Titanium is difficult to refine it is a more costly material. TiLite makes wheelchairs in both Titanium and Aluminum. While the company's Titanium chairs are slightly lighter in weight and more durable, their Aluminum wheelchairs are more economical and sufficient for most users. The design and manufacturing process uses parametric modelling, computer aided design, and finite element analysis technologies to make decisions about the design and materials used.
References
- "TiLite Releases Its First Carbon Fiber Wheelchair". New Mobility. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- Sander, Jane (2012-11-28). "Pasco's TiLite company expanding around the globe". Yakima, WA: Kndu.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- Sweeney, Catherine (May 20, 2021). "Wheelchair Frame Progression". Permobil.
- Hagey, Jason (Winter 2013). "The Ultimate Ride - How Pasco, Wash. became home to the world's hottest wheelchair manufacturer". Washingtonbusinessmag.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - "Permobil acquires TiLite". Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- Boninger, David. "The Frame Game". PN/Paraplegia News. No. June 2011. Pvamag.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- Vogel, Bob (September 2010). "The Titanium Revolution Revisited". New Mobility. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - Sorby, Dennis K. Lieu, Sheryl (2009). Visualization, modeling, and graphics for engineering design (1st ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. pp. A2 – A4. ISBN 978-1401842499.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Stackpole, Beth (2011-05-04). "Features – TiLite Races Ahead with Custom Wheelchair Design". Design News. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
Additional sources
- “TiLite Makes Marketing, Product & Brand Management Moves” Mobility Management, 8 March 2013.
- TiLite Wheelchairs on Made in America – Full Episode (TiLite official YouTube channel)
