Northern Satakunta region has a significant industry based on natural materials. Wood is used to make highly processed products such as construction industry components, furniture and board furniture. Insulating materials and products for acoustics are made from fiber materials.
The Kankaanpää unit of the Tampere University and companies in the region are collaborating to implement a project that aims to increase the added value and degree of processing of products made from natural materials by bringing new features to them by integrating electronics and information technology into the product. In particular, integration aims to ensure that the
technology enables efficient production and stylish design. Electronics and new features are hidden in the material and product.
The project also studies the adaptation of electronics design methods to the design process of products made from natural materials, as well as the automation of production. The general goal of the project is also to increase and develop RDI
activities in the region, to strengthen cooperation between the university and companies, and to network internationally with players in the field.
The project results in
- product innovations and concepts utilizing new methods of integrating functionality based on electronics and embedded systems into products made from natural materials
- the ability to test and pilot new manufacturing methods and manufacturing automation in en existing test environment
- comprehensive reporting on new methods, which helps in their implementation in companies
- the international network of industry players in the field.
The effectiveness of a successful project is realised when companies adopt new technologies developed in the project, which increases RDI investments, turnover and employment in the region.
Funding source
Satakuntaliitto
Town of Kankaanpää