Protecting Smartboards with custom locking solution

Vestel was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Education to supply Smartboards in 350,000 classrooms in both primary and secondary schools across the region.  After installation, Vestel received a number of reports that the Smartboards were being damaged by sliding whiteboards that could be moved across, concealing the Smartboard screen. As students could easily move the whiteboard revealing the Smartboard behind, use of it was unregulated and access to
the internet was also unrestricted. The resulting damage to the LCD screens rendered the Smartboards unusable, and led to the schools having to pay for costly repairs.

Essentra understood the reputational significance of providing Vestel with an effective and permanent locking system to prevent the free movement of the sliding whiteboards. By securing the whiteboard in place the solution would also restrict unauthorised use of the Smartboards, protecting both the equipment
and the students.

Essentra’s R&D team worked closely with Vestel to provide a full and in-depth design and prototyping service, producing a range of 3D CAD and 3D printed samples. The company was then able to test thoroughly the effectiveness of each locking system prototype, the results of which enabled Essentra to further enhance the lock by modifying the prototype to improve the locking pin strength and ensure that the catch
was able to rotate 180°.

Results

Through dedicated design, prototyping and development, Essentra were able to provide Vestel with a robust and secure custom solution to meet its specific requirements.

Safety & security: By restricting access to the Smartboard the lifetime of the product has been significantly increased alleviating any cost incurred by the school for repairs.

Reassurance: The customised locking system reduced student misuse of the whiteboards and preventing damage
to the Smartboards and unauthorised student access to the internet.

Quality: The robust and reliable build of the locking system had led to the total elimination of misuse of the sliding whiteboards in schools, which in turn protected the Smartboards.

Productivity: By ensuring that use of the sliding whiteboards and Smartboards was limited only to supervised activities, productivity, application and concentration of students has significantly improved as the locking system limits the improper use of the sliding whiteboards and Smartboards.