Sandvik makes comprehensive use of Muodonmuutos` design services
Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy’s field of business is the manufacture of mining, quarrying and construction machinery. The company is based in Tampere and is also home to a global technology, product development and manufacturing centre for drilling equipment. Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy is part of Sandvik, an international high-tech industrial group whose advanced products are market leaders in selected specialty fields.
Sandvik makes comprehensive use of Muodonmuutos` design services
Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy’s field of business is the manufacture of mining, quarrying and construction machinery. The company is based in Tampere and is also home to a global technology, product development and manufacturing centre for drilling equipment. Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy is part of Sandvik, an international high-tech industrial group whose advanced products are market leaders in selected specialty fields.
Pasi Julkunen / Head of Technology, Rock Drills / Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Cooperation began in 1994. It all took off with the Ranger-project. It was the first work sample to learn how to utilise design and create the first step in design culture. Ranger was introduced in ’96 and it’s been a great sales success. The original Ranger’s competitiveness has lasted to these days, and now a new generation of smart devices for surface drilling equipment are being launched.
Design services have been used in many ways, we have had the whole palette in use. It started with the design of the product, and it has been partly such brand work, colouring, product story. Then we have thought about the usability and ergonomics of user interfaces, and took on a designer to help understand the user. Designing has been used to visualize the product strategy. We have thought about the connection of product families, trying to find a common form language from which we are recognized. We have tried visualizing service products, how to make the unseen visible, communicate about services. We’ve visualized the mining methods of the future, what the mine of the future will look like. Innovation sessions have been held where designers visualize ideas developed by people from all over the world.
“The value of design is clear. In business terms, it can easily increase the market price by 5-10%.”
If you think about aesthetic quality, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg. Aesthetic quality affects people by standing out from competitors. For the user, the product is working conditions. That’s why ergonomics design is important. The pride in one’s own organisation is also important – you can say that we have been creating this entity and designing is one part of it.
One of the greatest benefits of designing is the production of decision-making material. The task of designing is to produce images, samples, sketches, quick drawings, scenarios, 3D models, mock-up models. Visualizations can be used to make smart decisions.
“Designing is a tool for product development and a natural part of the process.”
The greatest thing has been creating a design culture, experimenting with new things and growing together, design evolution. I believe that we’ve done a ground-breaking job in our own way when we’ve tried out everything that designing can be used for.
“The strength of Muodonmuutos has been that we have started to develop designing, including in new areas.”
We have broken down traditional design boundaries, although, of course, that strength is still there in product design. That’s the point, there’s no denying it. But there is no prevalent attitude that we should just design these devices and forms, there is a stretch outwards.
Pasi Julkunen
Head of Technology, Rock Drills
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology