Location: Pesaro, Italy
Segment: Machine Building
Challenge: Upgrade the quality and appearance of woodworking machinery
Solution: Install innovative, reliable and aesthetically pleasing pushbuttons
Results: A cost-effective design that vastly improves the user experience and adds value to the entire machine
The quality and user experience provided by Eaton's innovative RMQ Flat Front command devices, together with the accessibility of the new Biesse dashboard, allows users to really get a feel for the quality of the machines.
Challenge
Simplify and improve the user's life, safety and enjoyment of the machine
Biesse initially approached Eaton to discuss the company's need to revise the general aesthetics of its woodworking machinery. In particular, both parties identified that the most important aspect of any redesign would need to focus heavily on the user's experience of the machine. This is because the machine's interface with the operator is what gives the user the most amount of feedback on the quality of the machine in its entirety.
So the overall objective of the project was to find pushbuttons for the operator that had an innovative look and feel. Their fronts needed to be flat and aesthetically pleasing, in line with wider developments and trends in the market, as the most common style of pushbuttons that protrude from the machine's dashboard has become obsolete on their machines.
Biesse pays a great deal of attention to the type of experience the user has when interacting with its machinery. Which is why the user' experience, reliability and aesthetically pleasing design were paramount considerations when looking for the new pushbuttons to integrate on the new machines.
"Biesse needed to rely on a partner who could offer 360- degree assurances: a partner that boasts a whole range of automation products and that could deliver quality products sourced globally," notes Alberto Carrotta, Automations Manager at Biesse. "This is why we chose to work with Eaton, as both our companies share the same goals: we are both geared to innovation and able to offer advanced solutions."
Carrotta also stresses that Biesse's dashboard designs are very similar on all of its machines. "This simplifies the user's life, as they rapidly learn to interact with and safely use the basic functions on machines belonging to different manufacturing processes. So, for example, the start and stop functions on all Biesse machines are performed in the same way."
Finally, the solution had to be competitive in the woodworking segment. At the same time it needed to be easy to install and had to meet the highest IP standard. Which is why, until very recently, it was still uncommon to see pushbuttons that, as well as being appropriate for industrial applications, were as beautifully designed as those that you find on an elevator, or in other areas of life.
Background
Biesse Group is a global leader in technologies for processing wood, glass, stone, plastics and metal. It designs, manufactures and distributes machines, integrated systems and software for manufacturers of furniture, door/window frames and components for the construction, shipbuilding and aerospace industries. Founded in Pesaro in 1969 by Giancarlo Selci, Biesse has been listed on the STAR segment of Borsa Italiana's equity market since 2001.
Biesse Group consists of four business areas (Biesse, Intermac, Diamut, Mechatronics) with ten manufacturing facilities in Italy and beyond.
Biesse is a global leader in the woodworking market and the first Eaton customer to install the latest RMQ Flat Front pushbuttons.
Biesse and Eaton have worked closely together to improve the human-machine interface of the company’s woodworking machines using the latest Flat Front technology.
Challenge
Simplify and improve the user experience and safety of the machine
Biesse initially approached Eaton to discuss an upgrade of the general aesthetics of its woodworking machinery. In particular, both parties agreed that improving the user experience would be a crucial aspect of any such redesign. After all, the operator interface and the actuators are the calling card of any machine, based on which users will judge its overall quality.
Hence the objective of the project was to select pushbuttons with an innovative look and feel. Their fronts had to be both flat and aesthetically pleasing, in line with broader market trends and developments, as machines with pushbuttons that protrude from the dashboard have now become obsolete.
Biesse pays a great deal of attention to the experience users have when interacting with its machinery. Which is why user experience, reliability and an aesthetically pleasing design were paramount considerations in the company’s search for new pushbuttons for its machines.
"Biesse needed a partner that could provide a 360-degree service; a partner that offers a wide range of automation products and would be able to deliver quality products sourced globally," notes Alberto Carrotta, Automation Manager at Biesse. "This is why we chose to work with Eaton, as both our companies share the same goals: we are both geared to innovation and provide advanced solutions for our customers."
Carrotta also stresses that the dashboard designs of all of Biesse’s machines are very similar. "This makes them more user-friendly, enabling users to quickly familiarise themselves with the basic functions, even on machines that belong to different manufacturing processes. For example, the start and stop functions on all Biesse machines are performed in the same way."
Finally, the solution also had to be competitive on the market for woodworking equipment. At the same time, it had to be easy to install while offering the highest possible degree of protection. Which is why, until very recently, it was still uncommon to see pushbuttons in industrial applications that were as beautifully designed as those found in elevators or other consumer-facing installations.
Solution
A cost-effective, safe and innovative design that is also pleasing to the eye
Eaton’s new range of RMQ Flat Front pushbuttons offered Biesse the ideal combination of quality, reliability and positive user experience. For Biesse, reliability was of particular importance.
During the procurement phase for its new machines, Biesse required the suppliers of all components to guarantee a set number of operations. The new RMQ AFX mounting system adapts automatically to metal of varying thickness, which makes installation faster and more reliable. In addition, the innovative RMQ Flat Front models can be combined with Eaton's new RMQ-Titan and RMQ compact ranges, thereby providing greater machine design flexibility.
"Even the simplest selector switch has to consistently transmit the desired command to the machine, and emergency-stop buttons need to ensure that the machine can be stopped immediately at any time, if necessary," Carrotta explains. "The user experience of machine operators is of vital importance for Biesse, and even the most basic pushbutton has to function flawlessly."
Results
A pleasing user experience
Biesse showcased the machine design featuring Eaton's RMQ Flat Front pushbuttons at XyleExpo, the world's leading fair for woodworking technology, which provided a vital opportunity for the company to differentiate itself from the competition. The control panels featuring Eaton’s RMQ pushbuttons helped Biesse's machines stand out from the crowd.
"Most importantly, Eaton’s pushbuttons offered the best user experience in terms of look and feel, thanks to their compact design and the metal rings with their attractive satin finish," says Paolo Valentini, Manager of Industrial Design & Engineering at Biesse.
"Biesse was one of the first companies in the woodworking segment to pay close attention to the aesthetic appearance of its machines. And, as is evident from the results of the collaboration with Eaton, Biesse continues along this path, offering 'functional design' that not only meets all industry needs, but it also safe to use and pleasing to the eye."
Results
A delightful user experience
Biesse successfully demonstrated Eaton's RMQ Flat Front pushbuttons design at the world's leading woodworking fair, XyleExpo, a vitally important opportunity for the company to stand out from the crowd. Eaton's RMQ pushbuttons on the control panels were a key component in helping Biesse's machines stand head and shoulders above its competition.
"Most importantly, from the point of view of the device's aesthetically pleasing design, the Eaton pushbutton, thanks to the attractive design with a satin metal ring and its compactness, has been considered to be the one that offers the user the best experience in terms of look and feel," says Paolo Valentini, Manager of Industrial Design & Engineering at Biesse.
"Within the woodworking market, Biesse was one of the first companies to pay close attention to the aesthetic pleasure of the machines. And, as you can see from the results of the collaboration with Eaton, Biesse still works in this direction today, offering 'functional design' that is suitable for the industry but is, at the same time, safe and enjoyable for our users."
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