Co-operation starts from design – Case: Avantopool Oy

In the design of the Avantopool recovery pool, prototype manufacturing provided a flexible and fast route towards small series production. Owing to efficient design co-operation, we achieved the award-winning outcome.

As the old saying goes, well planned is half done. This could well be the motto of the Meconet team. Our goal is to solve our customers’ manufacturing and logistics challenges, freeing up their time for their core business. Prototype manufacture offers a flexible and quick path towards volume products.

From idea to reality – planning and development stages

The co-operation started, when Pekka Nurmi approached Meconet with the idea of recovery pool design. The pool was intended for consumers, sports clubs and physical exercise centres; it would allow enjoying the benefits of ice swimming all year round. At first, we thought about a pipe-structured frame, but it would not have met all the requirements, so we ended up designing the frame from sheet metal components. This led to the prototype manufacturing stage.

“If you start planning from scratch, development stages, changes, and new ideas will inevitably follow. The prototype manufacturing option offered by Meconet has been of primary importance; it has allowed us to work towards the end product in a flexible manner,” says Pekka Nurmi, Operations Manager of Avantopool.

Benefits of sheet metal work

The benefits of sheet metal work always spill over from manufacture to design and logistics. The idea was simple: light components making up a strong and stiff frame. This structure achieved with minimal material consumption is also environmentally friendly and reduces the carbon footprint. The components are delivered in a space-saving manner and are put together only upon the final assembly of the product.

At very first meeting, it became clear that the sheet metal method provides almost limitless possibilities for assembly and design. Making dimensional changes is easy and the components do not restrict product development. In line with the principle of modular thinking, there was a product that could be modified.

“We have already created a larger version of our standard model, 20cm longer than the previous one. Although the product’s proportions change, it was possible to make efficient use of the existing structure,” Nurmi says.

Award-winning outcome

The outcome of the co-operation won the industrial category of Plootu Fennica. Pekka Nurmi and Juha Kiukas from Avantopool, Ville Nenonen from RD Velho Oy, and Harri Karukoski and Pauli Asikainen from Meconet participated in the design work. The jury praised the high level of the product’s assembly and strength characteristics, the cost-effective use of sheet metal, and the skilful combination of different materials. The structure of the recovery pool has been carefully thought through down to the last detail, and the modular structure is easily scalable. The pool’s appearance communicates reliability and strength.

The Avantopool recovery pool is intended for recovery care of tired or sore muscles. Even though the main target group is athletes, the pool is suitable for anyone who yearns for more vitality and energy, better immunity and less stress and pain. Examples of application environments include sports halls or ice rinks, sports schools, gyms, retirement homes, or private homes.

“Case Avantopool is a good example of the importance of close co-operation. We have managed to optimise and develop the product even along the way,”
says Jari Peura, Account Manager at Meconet.