Digital transformation of snowboard manufacturing with CAPiTA MFG

Digital transformation in the manufacturing industry is a major challenge for companies of all sizes. Digital transformation is the application of digital capabilities to improve efficiency and add value. According to the Research Advisory Board of Plattform Industrie 4.0 in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute it is usually a slow process. A number of companies have made a conscious decision not to engage in digitization. Other companies lack the economic stability, affinity for digitalization and/or the expertise to achieve an effective transformation.

CAPiTA MFG takes a progressive approach to manufacturing

The Austrian snowboard manufacturer CAPiTA MFG is an example of a company that has chosen to take a progressive approach to their operations. The result is one of the most high-tech and sustainable manufacturing facilities in the world. CAPiTA calls their plant the "Mothership" and it is a great example of how the manufacturing industry can be transformed with technology.

Durable and efficient manufacturing

CAPiTA was founded in 2016. The company manufactures top-of-the-line snowboards at the "Mothership" in Feistritz, in the Austrian state of Carinthia. The team began digitizing their production processes in 2018. Their goal was to become the most technologically advanced and ecologically responsible production facility in the snowboard industry. All of CAPiTA's production processes are run with 100% clean energy. In addition, 98% of the raw materials are sourced from an area within a maximum five-hour drive radius. The company also places great emphasis on the continuous optimization of each production step.

Some challenges - two rugged solutions

CAPiTA had industrial workstation PCs needed to be placed close to the production process. This allows employees to monitor production machines and visualize processes. In addition, CAPiTA wanted to give employees access to their ERP systems as well as digital documentation. Anywhere and anytime. Think of lists of parts, operating instructions and drawings of product models.

Rugged solutions for industrial workstations

CAPiTA chose the Karbon 300 as their workstation. These rugged computers are vibration-proof. Thus, they can be placed in physical proximity to the machines. In addition, the computers are fanless and ventless. This design protects the system's electronics from sawdust and dust generated during production.

For processes that require even more CPU power, CAPiTA MFG chose the Karbon 700-SE. These powerful edge computers are used for general data collection and analysis and for automatic configuration of machine parameters based on product identification.

Accelerated production

The digital transformation in manufacturing that CAPiTA has implemented has greatly accelerated production. Tasks are easier for employees and, in some cases, decision-making processes previously performed by employees are now digitized. With the help of technology, products can be identified throughout the production process and thus tracked seamlessly.

What are CAPiTA MFG's future plans?

According to Miha, the company has already achieved a high level of digitization. This offers even more opportunities for automation. As a result, CAPiTA MFG is even more motivated to achieve their goal.