Vestel is a global manufacturer of household and B2B appliances and devices so when responding to a national tender from the Ministry of Education to install Smartboards in schools in Turkey, Essentra Components was delighted to provide a custom locking solution to ensure the safety and security of the product and its users.
Vestel was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Education to supply Smartboards in 350,000 classrooms in both primary and secondary schools across the region. After installation, Vestel received a number of reports that the Smartboards were being damaged by sliding whiteboards that could be moved across, concealing the Smartboard screen. As students could easily move the whiteboard revealing the Smartboard behind, the use of the whiteboards was unregulated and access to the internet was also unrestricted. The resulting damage to the LCD screens rendered the Smartboards unusable and led to the schools having to pay for costly repairs.
Essentra Components fully understood the reputational issues raised and provided Vestel with an effective and permanent locking system to prevent the free movement of the sliding whiteboards. By securing the whiteboard in place the solution would also restrict unauthorised use of the Smartboards, protecting both the equipment and the students. Essentra’s R&D experts worked closely with Vestel to provide a full and in-depth design and prototyping service, producing a range of 3D CAD and 3D printed samples. The company was then able to thoroughly test the effectiveness of each locking system prototype, the results of which enabled Essentra to further enhance the lock by modifying the prototype and improving the locking pin strength and ensuring that the catch was able to rotate 180 degrees.
“The design and prototyping process was absolutely key to the success of this project. At each stage of the design, 3D printing and development, the support provided by Essentra’s experts was second to none,” commented Serdar Esme, mechanical technician manager at Vestel.
The positive outcome through dedicated design, prototyping and development that Essentra Components experts were able to provide left Vestel with a robust and secure custom solution to meet its specific requirements. In addition to enhanced safety and security, by restricting access to the Smartboard the lifetime of the product has been significantly increased alleviating any cost incurred for repairs.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
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