Well-designed cabin is an interface between driver and machine

Cabin design has advanced a long way since cabins were only to protect users during the bad weather and to provide just a functional working station. Today, an emphasis is also on the other criteria, like safety and working ergonomics, which means a pleasant working environment. Also, the needs of users have changed and become more specific and individual.

“Users are supposed to be healthier and their endurance level in their own working environment is higher than earlier. This is what the working ergonomics is aiming at. On the other hand, the operational comfort and less stress factors are also very important drivers in the cabin design process”, lists Mr. Juha Juvonen, Technical Manager of Fortaco.

Mr. Juvonen sees that the following approaches are providing a good foundation to design a well-functioning cabin:

- Visibility is good and feel of a roomy cabin.
- Instrumentation installed is easy to use and reach.
- Vibration and noise levels are low and indoor air good.

When designing a cabin, instrumentation can be pre-planned in a way that the individual adjustments are very easy to do. Furthermore, even a small cabin can provide a sufficient space and compartments to store lunchbox, drinks and working clothes etc.

“Fortaco is carefully listening the feedback from end-users. All comments and requests are greatly valued when the cabin environment is being designed”, says Mr. Juvonen.

The Fortaco engineers along with the customers are discussing about the different design approaches directly with the end-users in order to manufacture even better cabins in the future. The cabin must be well-designed by using advanced computer simulations, which are based on the recent results of user studies. The modular design can be modified accordingly. This kind of project flow assists an engineer to analyze, compare and improve design to better address requirements of today.

“We have performed several user experience studies, focusing on the cabin we have manufactured for the machine”, says Mr. Juvonen.

According to Mr. Juvonen, R&D is steadily advancing, and that is why the future cabins are already being designed by Fortaco. The new milestones in R&D are remote and virtual management, for example the benefits of camera technology, big data and tracking systems.


Prime Minister of Estonian Republic visited Fortaco in Narva

Mr. Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonian Republic has visited Narva and Narva-Jõesuu to meet the local businessmen and representatives of city authorities.

During his visit Mr. Ratas met the town government in Narva-Jõesuu and companies in Narva, like Fortaco Estonia. Prime Minister was received by Mr. Lars Hellberg, President & CEO of Fortaco Group, Mrs. Larissa Shabunova, Managing Director of Fortaco Estonia and Mr. Kimmo Raunio, Senior Vice President & CFO of Fortaco Group.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss development prospects in Ida-Virumaa region, where also Fortaco Estonia is located and playing an important role in development of the whole region.
Fortaco Estonia was selected as the venue to introduce the governmental program of Ida-Virumaa development support. The program will be started as from July 2018 with Narva business representatives.
A factory tour was included in the Prime Minister programme. Mr Ratas was very much impressed about the high level of production organization and expressed his thanks to the company management for a great job done.


New Fortaco Technology unit

Fortaco Technology is an integrated part of Fortaco offering allowing our customers and Fortaco work together at an early phase of value chain.

Fortaco CabTech unit has proven to be a success since many years. Based on the years of experience with our CabTech team we are expanding activities and supporting our customers with design, engineering, process and project management know-how.

A new Fortaco Technology unit is providing this know-how and capabilities not only for Cabin, but also for Steel Fabrication and Vehicle Assembly businesses. We are supporting development of manufacturing technologies and providing advisory services in “Design-to-Manufacture” area.

Project Management skills and modularization methodology are part of Fortaco Technology.
Mr Rafal Sornek has been appointed Senior Vice President and Head of Fortaco Technology as from 1 January 2018.


Operator cabin

Guide to quick and cost-effective cabin development

Ensure your cost-efficiency in cabin development. Read our guide to quick and cost-effective cabin development.