Meconet Oy: Elevating Manufacturing Standards with World-Class Quality Management

Manufacturing components for electric car batteries is subject to strict measurement data requirements. To meet these demands, Meconet has engaged in close cooperation with ZEISS, utilizing their advanced expertise.

Traditionally, Finland’s manufacturing landscape has included companies focused on trucks, tractors, and construction machinery. However, with the rapid development of electric vehicles, Meconet has positioned itself as a key player in Nordic battery manufacturing. As a forerunner, Meconet was awarded the International Task Force (IATF) certificate several years ago.

“We’ve made strong progress in battery component manufacturing. This was our first step toward more advanced solutions. Our ambitious goal is to increase the company’s annual turnover from the current 65 million euros to 100 million euros by 2027. We expect most of this growth to come from greentech, mainly from electric cars, and marine electrification, as well as from solar panel system components and air source heat pumps,” says Jukka Pajunen, Plant Quality Manager at Meconet.

Measurement data-related requirements are becoming more stringent

According to Jukka Pajunen, large volumes, series including many similar products, and strict requirements for fast delivery are characteristic to the automotive industry. As reliability and data-based documentation become increasingly critical, the requirements for recording measurement data are becoming more rigorous.

“We need world-class quality management. We must constantly improve our quality management. As part of this, we need to focus more closely on measurement data. We need to do more checks than before and measure more than before. Through better process management, we will gain a competitive advantage. In addition to the automotive industry, our customers operating in all other segments also demand documentation of higher quality. We can increase the efficiency of our internal processes with the help of measurement technology,” says Jukka Pajunen.

Close co-operation with ZEISS

With the framework of upgrading Meconet’s measurement equipment, Meconet contacted ZEISS two years ago, and the two companies have co-operated closely ever since.

“We have invested in a ZEISS O-INSPECT 863 multi-sensor measuring device for our Vantaa plant. In autumn 2023, we decided to buy another unit, ZEISS DuraMax, for our plant in Tallinn, Estonia”, says Jukka Pajunen.

In addition, Meconet has invested in PiWeb, reporting and quality data management software by ZEISS. According to Oguzhan Taskin, Measurement Engineer at Meconet, PiWeb is a tool of decisive importance.

“With PiWeb, we can show the customer what the product looks like.

For customers, reproducibility is of paramount importance, but with their growing demands, visual quality is also becoming more and more substantial”, says Oguzhan Taskin.

Jukka Pajunen and Oguzhan Taskin agree on that working with ZEISS is positive and efficient.

“The support from ZEISS is really good. If we ask for something, the replies are quick and accurate. Solutions to our problems are always available. On top of that, our customers are quite impressed with our measuring equipment”, Jukka Pajunen and Oguzhan Taskin point out.

“Our measuring potential is excellent. However, the demand for measurement data is expected to grow in the future. Our next measuring unit will have a 3D camera”, notes Jukka Pajunen.

(The article was originally published: https://konekuriiri.fi/2024/08/05/mittausdataa-autoteollisuuden-vaateisiin/)