Case Framery One: A New Generation Workspace

Framery is a company established in 2010 and specialised in soundproof workspaces for offices and other working environments. Framery’s products are selling at an accelerating rate around the world. They constitute a combination of design accurate down to the last detail, engineering, and quality. The products are made to withstand time and use.

The company’s latest product innovation is Framery One. It is the world’s first intelligent soundproof workspace. Besides being stylish, Framery One is also intelligent, as it combines new technology, industry-leading sound insulation, and echo-free acoustics. The frame and surface panels of Framery One products are manufactured using the deep drawing technology at Meconet’s new Hirvaskangas plant.

The frame and surface panels of Framery One products are manufactured by Meconet. The components made using the deep drawing technology are designed to meet the customer’s demanding requirements and will withstand decades-long use. To ensure functionality and efficient manufacture, the support frame and surface panels were designed in close co-operation.

Close design co-operation from the very start

With Framery One, Framery was looking for an entirely new concept more modern as compared to its predecessors in a number of ways. The product was also to involve new design, without any compromise on high quality standards, which meant that much was expected from the co-operation.

Framery first contacted Meconet in 2018. The co-operation started with exploring the general capabilities of Meconet’s deep drawing technology. A visit to Meconet’s plant and introduction to moulded deep-drawn products convinced Framery that the frame of the new product could be made of metal instead of plywood.

This led to intensive and detailed design. First, we designed surface panels to remain visible, of which there are four in the booth, two on the walls, one on the bottom, and one on the top. The tender for the frame panels was started only after final approval of the surface panels. Meconet won the competition in this stage as well. As significant investments were required, there had to be confidence in the functionality of each detail.

The product development project went on for almost a year. Using Meconet’s simulation methods, the most reasonable and cost-effective way for manufacture of the profiles was determined. The optimal profile was sought for: the most functional product possible with maximum cost-effectiveness.

“Actually, we got very close to what we wanted after the very first concept discussions. Sure, some details had to be worked out, but we found a common tune immediately. We were convinced with Meconet’s motivation to design products that meet our high quality standards,” says Samuli Kostamo about Framery’s product development.

Demanding surface panel design

The curved shapes of visible Framery One surfaces seem moderate, but to arrive at this result, a lot of brainwork was required. For example, the top and bottom panels resemble cups in which all hems curve gently inwards.

“We had precise requirements. No seams were allowed, nothing was to be concealed under mouldings or the like. The gentle, curved shapes of the surface panels also presented their own challenges. When everything looked fine on the outside, we ran Sigma Simulations on the components: what will happen to the product if 10,000 items are produced by deep drawing, what will be the range of variations. Once again, we arrived at an excellent result almost at the first try. And this is amazing, considering the complexity of the products,” Kostamo says.

Frame panels posed a design challenge

After the surface panels, the frame panels were designed. They consist of two panels with insulating material in-between and electrical components on the surfaces. In this case as well, deep drawing was the only option. The strong points of deep drawing include scalability, lightweight structures, design options, and production speed.

“The requirement to us was that it had to be possible to manufacture the surface panels in one deep drawing stage, and we delivered. To achieve this, we spent months on planning, but the result is really worth it.”

As soon as a product is ready, intensive further development begins

Miia Sepponen, a procurement specialist for Framery, has been involved in the project for a long time. There have been dozens of design meetings, but the road does not end here. Now it is time to develop the product further.

“Of course, manufacture of the tools necessary for deep drawing was a major investment. Next, we need to consider how to streamline the production. This requires simulations. Our product development people meet with Meconet’s production people on weekly basis to discuss things, which means that our journey continues hand in hand with Meconet,” Sepponen says.

For Framery, Meconet’s new plant in Äänekoski is excellent news. The increase in production capacity is most welcome, as the customers’ interest in Framery One continues to grow.

“Our panels are so large that sturdy production equipment is required. The two large deep drawing machines at the Äänekoski plant grant us the capacity required to increase the production volumes,” Sepponen says.

Co-operation is the key

The company’s experience with the first steel-framed Framery products has been positive indeed. Co-operation has been the key to successful launching of the innovative product.

“We share a strong feeling of confidence, and I’m extremely pleased with our co-operation. The feedback discussions work and everyone is devoted to the same goal. Hopefully, we can continue to co-operate in our future projects as well,” Kostamo says.

“Meconet’s design service is of utmost importance. Our products are of first-class quality, and we require this from our partners as well. We have found that constant contact with the supplier is the key to excellent co-operation. Besides their excellent skills, the people at Meconet are genuinely nice to work with, and this is also important,” Sepponen says.