Safer, more durable, more functional – how we meet new demands for cabins
Mobile machinery and commercial vehicles are required to do more than ever, and the same applies to their cabins. The cabin must be safe and provide comfortable working conditions in all operating environments, from fields to forests and from construction sites to mines. Our expertise in cabin design is based on years of experience and a solid understanding of different operating environments and safety requirements.
The cabin of a work machine or commercial vehicle is a critical part of the machine’s safety, usability and competitiveness. Requirements for cabins have increased, and in addition to safety, cabin design must take into account ergonomics, visibility, climate control, User interface and its ergonomics and even user-specific preferences. The technological shift has transformed cabins from a mechanical combination of seats and controls into an intelligent workstation.
“Today, cabins are expected to offer the same features as passenger cars: touchscreens, fault diagnostics and user-specific settings. As a result, design work has become more complex, and cabin design is no longer the task of a single specialist, but always a multidisciplinary collaboration project. The broader the whole, the more important it is to have expertise across different areas and to integrate them effectively. That is something we at Comatec are good at,” says Sami-Jussi Hollo.
The user is always at the centre
Cabin design always starts with the user: ergonomics for users of different sizes, visibility in all conditions and optimal placement of controls are all considered.
User-centred design improves productivity and reduces errors. For example, visibility must remain excellent even in dusty and humid working conditions, and ventilation must support endurance in both cold and hot environments.
We have designed HVAC systems for both new and existing cabins.
“Our special expertise lies in ventilation simulation. In other words, we study how airflow, temperature and cabin pressurisation are managed in different conditions. When this is done already at the design stage, the need for changes during the prototype or production phase can be minimized”, Hollo explains.
Modernisation is a cost-effective way to extend the cabin lifecycle
According to Sami-Jussi Hollo, completely new cabins are designed relatively rarely, whereas the modernization of existing cabins is very much current practice. Even small modifications can extend the lifecycle of both the cabin and the entire machine.
“Partial redesign of the cabin can improve ergonomics and working conditions. Sometimes changes are needed to ensure that the cabin meets the latest safety requirements”, Hollo says.
“Our designers always have the most up-to-date information on the regulations applicable to each type of machine and on any changes to them. The requirements set for cabins in mining conditions differ from those in agricultural work, but at the same time, for example, a tractor must also meet roadworthiness requirements. The client does not need to navigate the jungle of standards or the specific demands of different operating environments. We do”, he continues.
Comatec’s customer-driven operating model
In recent years, we have been involved in several projects involving both new cabin design and modernisation. We have experience across a range of machine types, including mining equipment, forestry machinery, construction machinery and vehicles for the defence industry. In these, cabin safety, durability and usability are critical, and the level of requirements continues to increase.
Each project typically begins with identifying the client’s needs.
“We always work in close cooperation with the client and flexibly deliver either the full design or the specific areas required. This may include mechanical or system design, strength calculations and structural optimization, assessment of compliance with international standards or the Machinery Directive, or facilitation of testing. Every project is equally important to us, and we always bring together the right expertise – specialists in their respective fields”, Hollo says.
“In addition, we have the tools and expertise to manage projects comprehensively, from small modifications to full cabin concepts. We work closely with industrial design agencies, manufacturers and testing organisations”, he continues.
A cabin that endures, protects and performs also in the future
Cabin design is an investment in the machine’s safety, usability and resale value.
“The starting point for design work is always compliance, but we also aim to meet and even exceed expectations related to the functionality of the client’s product. We complement the client’s own expertise and resources or deliver a complete turnkey project. This is how we create a cabin that stands the test of time, use and changing requirements”, Sami-Jussi Hollo promises.
Text: Marianne Valta
Photo: Sirja Sankala
