By Kristin Palm

Baby Stroller Manufacturing

Raw Materials

The primary materials used in manufacturing a baby stroller are aluminum or steel for the frame, cloth for the seat and/or hood and rubber and plastic for handles and wheels.

The Manufacturing Process

Baby strollers come in many varieties and are typically manufactured on an assembly line. An upright, collapsible stroller would typically be made according to the following manufacturing process :

The frame

1.      Steel or aluminum tubing is bent, using a press, to form the components of the frame.

2.      The metal frame components are then dipped into an antioxidizing solution that prevents rusting and also helps the paint adhere to the frame.

3.      The frame components are spray-painted using a process known as powder-coating (this is the same process by which automobiles are painted). A powder-coating apparatus works like a large spray-painter, dispersing paint through a pressurized system evenly across the metal frame.

4.      The frame components are pre-heated then coated with a powder resin finish.

5.      The components are heated again to bake the finish onto the frame.

6.      The various components of the frame are assembled using rivets, screws and/or bolts.

The seat and hood

7.      The seat and hood are cut from a large swath of material with an overhead cutting apparatus known as a cutting die. The die can cut 10-20 pieces at one time.

8.      The seat and hood are stitched together on a large, mechanical sewing machine.

9.      Trim is stitched onto the seat and hood, again using a large, mechanical sewing machine.

Final production

10.  The seat and hood are attached to the assembled frame.

11.  The wheels are attached to the assembled frame.

12.  The final products are placed in polybags (plastic bags) and boxed for shipping.

Article You May Be Interested In Reading : Stroller Safety Standards and Stroller Buying Guide

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Used Strollers

Will it be a safe choice to use a used stroller for your baby? For you and your baby this could be a good choice but you will have to look over some things before your baby rides in it.

There should be cracks, dents, or gaps in the frame. Bolts and screws must all be in place Anything less could cause an accident, seriously injuring your baby. Are there any sharp spots on the frame? Are there screws sticking out that could cut your baby or that are loose?

If it were anything less your baby could be seriously hurt in an accident. Are there any sharp spots on the frame? Can your baby be cut by screws sticking out or are there loose screws? Is the frame and handle bar properly joined?

The frame must be properly joined to the frame; is it?

Does the seat lining fit the frame properly and is it clean?

Do you need to look over the wheels for leaks in air pressure or are they solid?

The wheels; are they worn?

Do the wheels need replacement?

Are the wheels turning appropriately?

Are the axels crooked?

Are the brakes holding when applied and working properly?

No matter if the seat is in straight us position or reclining position, does the seat hold?
A seat that does not hold its place could cause serious injury to the baby.

You may want to check out my other guide on Baby Stroller Safety Standards and Top 10 Baby Stroller Safety Tips for Parents

baby stroller

When choosing any product for your child, safety is your utmost concern. Several standards and guidelines are used to judge the safety of baby strollers.

You can ensure that you choose the safest stroller possible by familiarizing yourself with these standards and guidelines prior to selecting a stroller for your family.

What is ASTM?
What does JPMA certified mean?
How do I use my stroller safetly & Properly?

Strollers that meet the basic safety standards should have the following:

• A safety harness that is securely attached to the stroller frame or upholstery and is designed to properly restrain the child when seated.
• A locking device that will prevent the accidental collapse of the stroller while in use.
• No exposed coil springs. Exposed coil springs could potentially pinch or injure your child.
• A warning that reads “Caution: Secure child in the restraint. Never leave child unattended.” This warning should be permanently attached to the stroller.
• Stability even when the stroller is placed on an inclined surface with a child seated inside.

These are the basic safety standards that all baby strollers should meet; however, many manufacturers voluntarily meet several other safety guidelines that are recognized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

What is the ASTM?

The ASTM is an international standards developing organization, which creates and publishes voluntary technical standards for a variety of materials and products including baby strollers. Although ASTM develops technical standards that apply to baby strollers, they are not responsible for enforcing compliance with these standards.
For more information on ASTM visit http://www.astm.org.

What does it mean if a stroller is JPMA certified?

If a stroller has a JPMA Certification, it means that the product meets the safety standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) along with JPMA and industry members, consumer groups and staff from the US Consumer Products Safety Commission.

In order to receive a JPMA Certification, manufacturers voluntarily agree to have their products tested by several standards. Some of the standards tested for strollers include brake requirements, stability tests, restraint system integrity and load tests on the stroller seat and footrest. Strollers and other baby products that are JPMA Certified can be identified by the JPMA Certification Seal that their packaging bears.

For a complete list of the JPMA Certified Strollers, visit the JPMA website http://www.jpma.org.

As parents, how can we ensure that our stroller is used properly and safely

While manufacturers use these guidelines and standards to ensure that their strollers are properly constructed, it is your job as a parent or caregiver to make certain that the stroller is used in a safe and proper manner. By following our Stroller Safety Tips for Parents, you can ensure that your child will be safe whenever he is in his baby stroller.

Having the right stroller for your strolling environment is an important step in ensuring that your stroller is used safely.

Other post you may be interested in reading : How to Select a Baby Car Seat – 4 Factor You Sould Know and Baby Strollers History