Senop values agility, durability and design collaboration in 3D printing
Senop Communications ordered its first 3D printed product from 3DStep in 2020 when the company realised that the precise requirements of a particular metal enclosure were difficult to meet using traditional manufacturing methods. Over the years, the partnership with 3DStep has expanded to include plastic printing, with individual product models ranging from a few tens to thousands of pieces. For Senop, key benefits of the partnership include design collaboration, process agility and the durability of the final products.
Senop secures critical communication in Finland
Senop Communications sells and services radio terminals for Tetra networks in Finland, including the Virve network for public authorities. The company is an authorised sales and service point for Airbus radio terminals in Finland. Senop is a subsidiary of Millog Oy and part of the Patria group. In the big picture, Senop Communications' core business is securing critical communications in Finland.
Senop supplies and services thousands of products annually, including a wide range of Virve products. The product range also includes ruggedised smartphones and tablets. The company has collaborated with 3DStep on a range of device cases and helmet clips, among other things. These products often have specific, rather specialised requirements.
- For our products, the particular challenge is that they have to be durable and reliable, and often have to have certain functionalities or features. For example, one of our 3D printed enclosures with a lid and hinge that we ordered had to fit into a certain space on an open boat on top of a fixed drive unit. The surface also had to be black and matt so as not to reflect light. Certain types of enclosures also have to be able to be opened with one hand," says Jussi Tienari, Senop's maintenance manager.
The design service solves the challenges thrown up by the customer
At 3DStep, Senop's products have been designed together with the customer by AM Specialist Petri Ehonsalo. Sometimes Petri sends the customer a few options to show them, and the most suitable one is selected for production. Petri has been able to use his technical expertise as well as his creativity and imagination when working on Senop's orders.
- Senop's orders are a pleasure to work with, as we are given a largely free hand in the implementation. When we know the technology and the boundary conditions, we are able to develop different options quite easily," Petri says.
For Senop, the low-threshold design service is a valuable part of the overall service.
- It has been easy to contact 3DStep, and they are always responsive and enthusiastic. The end result is polished together, and I appreciate 3DStep's vision and eye for detail. For example, when it comes to hinge connections and fixing points, they have been able to make sure that they really last," says Jussi.
One of the joint projects was a customised locking piece for demanding applications to ensure that a component in a personal protective equipment is secured to the rails. Petri designed a clip for Senop and made a few test pieces, which we tested together. The most successful option was selected for production use, and several thousand pieces were eventually produced.
- 3D printing is an agile manufacturing method and the products have been very durable. For example, the locking clip holds its shape and can withstand freezing temperatures - I've tested the frost resistance in practice myself. In addition, the method also allows us to make orders for which it is not worth having a mould made because of the small number of pieces. 3D printing has proved to be a fully functional and reliable manufacturing method for us overall," says Jussi.
The data enclosure designed and manufactured by Senopi for 3DStep is used, among other things, in ambulances.