Metso’s mobile crushing plant awarded honorable mention in Design Forum Finland’s design competition

Helsinki, Finland, 4-2-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Metso’s mobile crushing plant has been awarded honorable mention in the design competition arranged by Design Forum Finland. With a strong industrial design input, the new crusher integrates a look that sets it apart from its competitors, better usability and serviceability, and a safer working environment.

Lokotrack LT106, the Metso mobile crushing plant receiving honorable mention in the Fennia Prize 2014 competition, weighs about 40 tons. The track-mounted crusher processes various feed materials for industry and construction, materials like hard rock, mineral-based recycling waste, asphalt and industrial slag.

Industrial design – starting at product development

Tuomas Tuokko, an Industrial Designer at Metso’s Tampere plant, was involved in the development of the equipment right from the start.

“The key design goals were for a crusher with a modern look, is cost-efficient to manufacture, and is safe and easy to use. And some components had to be compatible for use with other product models,” Tuomas Tuokko lists the starting points.

During the product development phase, streamlined belt protectors, a versatile engine module, new housings for actuators and a new fuel tank were among the newly designed components for the crusher. Rotational molded polyethylene replaced the steel in some components.

“In a work machine, everything must have a designed purpose. An example is the crusher’s flywheel housing; as a result of the industrial design and a change in the material, it is easier and safer to open for servicing,” Tuokko notes.

The equipment design and engineering phase, lasting about a year, resulted in a mobile crusher flagship product. It bears a unique design, but still has the recognizable Metso look.

The award-winning crusher was designed and manufactured at Metso Mining and Construction’s Tampere production plant. During the past 30 years more than 6,000 track-mounted units have been delivered to sites around the world, from Algeria to the United States.

Additional information:

Tommi Lehtonen, SVP Mobile Equipment Business Unit, Metso, tel. +358 40 724 9143, email: tommi.lehtonen(at)metso.com

Tuomas Tuokko, Industrial Designer, Metso, tel. +358 50 548 5275, email: tuomas.tuokko(at)metso.com

Lokotrack_LT106: The strong industrial design inputs are visible in the honorable mention award-winning Lokotrack LT106, Metso’s mobile crushing plant.