STCC student joins steampunk wheelchair design project

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College student Gabriel Luppi’s power wheelchair can move into a reclining position, tilt from side-to-side and elevate to help him see eye-to-eye.

“Wheelchairs have come a long way,” said 21-year-old Luppi, who has used them since he was a toddler. “I get the medical side of (the design), but that’s just boring. There’s nothing ever cool about them.”

But that may change soon through the Steampunk Quantum Wheelchair Collaborative Project. Luppi of Holyoke is teaming up with steampunk expert Bruce Rosenbaum and Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School in Palmer to design a Quantum Power wheelchair that incorporates the visual aesthetics of steampunk, which combines history, art and technology to make inspiring, functional and personal products.

Rosenbaum, a nationally known artist and designer who lives in Palmer, owns a steampunk company called ModVic, which repurposes and infuses modern technology and gadgets into period-relevant antiques.

As part of the collaborative project, Luppi will design and be the recipient of the latest Quantum power wheelchair. Students from Pathfinder Tech will help transform the wheelchair into a custom – and “cool” – steampunk-style machine.

In an interview in the STCC mechanical engineering technology manufacturing lab in Springfield Technology Park, Luppi said he was excited to be part of the team. He shared ideas he has for the wheelchair design, noting that he can apply skills he’s learning at STCC to the project.

“My dad has 1950 and ‘51 Plymouths. He has extra parts for them, so he’s giving me the taillights,” Luppi said. “I want to take a Plymouth fender and size it down for a wheelchair. I told Bruce, and he said he likes the idea.”

Rosenbaum said Luppi’s design made him think of the DeLorean time machine car in “Back to the Future,” which syncs with the steampunk aesthetic.

“Gabe’s very excited about this,” Rosenbaum said. “He showed me some drawings he did in SolidWorks.”

SolidWorks is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) application used by students in the STCC mechanical engineering technology program.

I’ve got these ideas all the time. All I think about is drawing wheelchairs, making wheelchairs. Gabriel Luppi, STCC Mechanical Engineering Technology student

Rosenbaum said he wants to involve Luppi as much as possible in the creation of the steampunk wheelchair. “We have to pay attention to his special needs,” Rosenbaum said. “It would be fun to do this fantastical assembly of these parts, and it has to be functioning of course. Because of his limited movements, he needs to easily adjust his chair.”

Luppi was born with arthrogryposis, a condition that affects his joints and restricts the use of his arms and legs. To push buttons on the computer numerical control (CNC) machines in the MET lab, he uses a stick that he holds in his mouth.

STCC has adapted the MET program to ensure accessibility for Luppi. He is more comfortable studying from home, so he has watched live lectures over Zoom.

“That made it easier for him,” said John LaFrancis, a professor in mechanical engineering technology at STCC who taught Luppi in a CNC lab. “It was a case of working through Disability Services here at the school and seeing what the needs were and how we can accommodate Gabe to the best of our ability. So far it’s been successful for us and for him. It lets him have some hands-on experience with the machines and in the program itself.”

Tara Sasser, an accommodation specialist in STCC’s Disability Services, has worked with Luppi to help ensure accessibility.

"I am so happy for Gabe that he was chosen to be the recipient of the latest Quantum power wheelchair,” Sasser said. “To witness Gabe follow his passion, and be an active participant in designing the wheelchair, is truly amazing. I have enjoyed working with Gabe and the faculty in the mechanical engineering department, who have gone above and beyond in creating an accessible environment for Gabe."

Luppi came to STCC after graduating from Westfield Technical Academy. He picked mechanical engineering technology because he hopes to one day own his own wheelchair business and wants to better understand design concepts.

“I’ve got these ideas all the time,” Luppi said. “All I think about is drawing wheelchairs, making wheelchairs.  That’s all that goes through my brain.”

For Luppi, STCC was a perfect match. It’s the only area college to offer a mechanical engineering technology associate degree and the only technical community college in Massachusetts.

“I like working on these machines,” he said from the CNC lab, which is equipped with state-of-the-art lathes and milling machines.

LaFrancis said the mechanical engineering technology program is designed to prepare students for in-demand advanced manufacturing careers. Students also can transfer to four-year institutions to continue with their engineering studies. The MET program at STCC concentrates on three particular areas: design, manufacturing and precision inspection.

“Gabe came into our program and has a particular goal, and that is to do design work,” LaFrancis said. “From that perspective, I wanted Gabe to have the full complement of the courses. … Gabe is on track to do the complete, two-year associate degree.”

STCC also offers a one-year certificate in mechanical engineering technology. Faculty and instructors include LaFrancis, Thomas Minor and Joseph Sommers.

Rosenbaum, the steampunk expert working with Luppi, said he was not specifically looking for a wheelchair recipient who had had technical knowledge. When he met Luppi and learned about his background, he was delighted.

“It’s such a bonus that he’s interested in wheelchair design and he wants to help out,” Rosenbaum said. “It was like a match made in heaven.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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