OCALA, Fla. - For two and one-half years, Advanced Vehicle Modifications, Inc. (AVM) has been modifying cars and vans for individuals confined to a wheelchair. Now, thanks to some expert advice from volunteers with the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), the company is now able to successfully modify pick-up trucks, thereby satisfying more of their customers.
The SATOP is a free service designed to speed the transfer of space technology to the private sector by giving free technological assistance to small businesses to help them solve their problems and increase their chances of succeeding. Made up of a group of 30 companies, universities, colleges and NASA centers, the SATOP finds professionals within these companies who volunteer their time and expertise in solving the challenges brought forth by the inquiring businesses. Administered by Florida's Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA), the program has yielded over 700 solutions and recommendations.
"Several of our physically challenged customers own horse and cattle farms and wish to drive a pick-up truck, rather than a car or van," said Paul McGuckin, president of AVM, who has over 15 years experience modifying vehicles for physically challenged individuals. AVM also does a lot of work for Vocational Rehabilitation; a state agency that pays to modify vehicles for physically challenged people so they can get to and from work.
 
In order to modify the truck for wheelchair access, McGuckin had to lower the floor of the driver's compartment by cutting a five-foot piece of steel out of the structural frame member located under the truck on the driver's side. To fill in this hole, he welded an additional piece of steel to provide the necessary strength.

"After showing Vocational Rehabilitation our truck modification, they wanted to be certain that this new design was as strong as our modifications for vans," McGuckin said. The agency actually requested McGuckin to obtain documentation on the strength of the new design. This task ultimately led AVM to finding the SATOP.

To help meet this task, McGuckin called upon the Chamber of Commerce of Ocala. A representative from their Economic Development Council suggested that McGuckin contact the TRDA and apply to the SATOP. He followed this tip and completed a Request for Technical Assistance (RTA) form. The TRDA presented this request to its space alliance partners, asking who could help AVM with their challenge.
 
Tim Thurston, of The Thurston Company, stepped forward and provided the free consultation. McGuckin sent Thurston all of the current drawings with an explanation, thereby allowing Thurston to assess the current design and see if it still maintained its strength. He provided recommendations to AVM within three weeks.

"After analyzing AVM's design modification, I concluded that it maintained its strength, except in one area," Thurston said. To fix this weak area, Thurston recommended that AVM extend the added steel beyond the weaker area of the modification. This addition, however, would possibly interfere with the truck's suspension system.
 
"Rather than having to modify the suspension system, AVM decided to take another route and actually cut less steel out of the structural member," Thurston said. AVM resubmitted their slightly altered design to Thurston, and he confirmed that this new change successfully eliminated the weak area. 
With the strength of their modification now confirmed, AVM is ready implement the new design upon securing another truck-modification job. The company will present documentation to Vocational Rehabilitation upon securing this future job.

"With my company, I don't have the resources to hire an engineering team to evaluate my designs," McGuckin said. "I am very grateful that the SATOP put me in touch with someone with such expertise and gave me the confirmation I needed for free. This is a terrific program that I would definitely use again," he added.

Bob Allen, deputy director of the TRDA and program manager for the SATOP, is thankful the program is reaching and helping so many different companies over a broad spectrum of specialties. "As a result of free SATOP assistance, this company is now able to fine-tune one of its products and offer more to its physically challenged customers. This story proves the SATOP is making a difference in the lives of small business owners across Florida," he said.

For more information on Advanced Vehicle Modifications, Inc., call (352) 622-4467. To obtain a Request for Technical Assistance for the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program, call your local economic development organization or the TRDA. You can also complete the online form by clicking here.