Students Designed Their Own Version of a FANTECH Laser Welding Machine

Students from SŠPU Opava Designed Their Own Version of a FANTECH Laser Welding Machine

What might a FANTECH laser welding machine look like through the eyes of industrial design students? We explored this question in collaboration with the Secondary School of Industrial Arts and Design in Opava (SŠPU Opava). Six students were given a real-world design brief, and each approached the challenge in their own unique way.

It Wasn't Just About Appearance

The students' task was to design a new look for a FANTECH laser welding machine. However, the assignment went beyond aesthetics.

When developing their designs, they had to consider a range of practical and technical requirements. These included safety features, cooling and ventilation, status indicator lights, ergonomics, dimensional tolerances, technical connection specifications, and practical mounting solutions for the welding gun and hose.

The students therefore had to find a balance between the machine's appearance and its practical functionality. This combination of creativity and technical thinking was one of the most interesting aspects of the entire project.

Six Students, Six Different Approaches

Six students from the Secondary School of Industrial Arts and Design in Opava took part in the competition. Each approached the assignment differently and presented their own vision of what a FANTECH laser welding machine could look like.

Some focused more on ergonomics and practicality, while others emphasized a distinctive visual identity, lighting elements, or the overall character of the machine. The designs also drew inspiration from other fields of design.

The result was not six similar machines, but six distinct concepts demonstrating just how differently the same technical design brief can be approached.

Evaluating the Designs

After the students presented their individual designs, the evaluation process followed.

Competition Results

1st Place – Sára Peniašková
2nd Place – Jozef Blachút
3rd Place – Karolína Blagová and Valérie Ludíková

The other participants were Michal Brázdil and Natálie Lan Vuová.

However, we decided to recognize all six students who participated in the project. Each of them received a financial reward.

Bringing Education and Real-World Industry Together

For FANTECH Europe, collaborating with the students was a valuable experience, particularly because we were able to provide them with a design brief based on real industrial requirements.

In turn, the students had the opportunity to work with a real product and requirements that went beyond a typical school assignment. They had to think not only as designers, but also as people developing equipment intended for an actual industrial working environment.

And that is precisely what we consider most valuable about projects like this.

Thank You to the Students and the School

We would like to thank all six students for their time, hard work, and creative approach to the assignment. Each brought a unique perspective and demonstrated that even industrial equipment can inspire a wide range of design ideas.

Our thanks also go to the Secondary School of Industrial Arts and Design in Opava and MgA. Jan Emis, who guided the students throughout the project.

For us, collaborating with schools is one way of bringing together technology, industry, design, and fresh ideas.

And who knows – perhaps some of these ideas will find their way into our machines in the future.