FLYTAG, which was recently presented by Flytoget AS, prints out your luggage tag on board the Airport Express Train to Oslo airport. FLYTAG is designed and produced by NewTracks has on behalf BB Computerteknikk AS.
Enter the Airport Express with the ticket on your mobile
The FLYTAG gives passengers the opportunity to prepare their luggage before they arrive at the airport. With the flight ticket on the phone, you can print the luggage tag in a few seconds. When arriving the airport you can go directly to the bag-drop and avoid the queue for preparing your luggage. The time at the airport can be used for better things.
Design of FLYTAG with focus on safety
The development project had some challenges, including the requirements for vibrations, limited space and low weight. Replacement of tag rolls should be done quick and easy.
Train at speed can cause abrupt movements and thus increased risks, so to ensure maximum safety we designed an extra safety lock. During the project this mechanism was called the "hood lock" based on its similar function to unlocking the hood of a car; After unlocking the hood, you must hold a lever to open it. The "hood lock" for FLYTAG works in both directions, both to prevent the drawer from coming out abruptly, and when closing it prevent fingers from getting pinched.
Product design with aesthetic and functional focus
The design process had a strong focus on aesthetic design, and we prepared several illustrations with the 3D model mounted into photos taken in the train. Such images are important to make decisions at an early stage, before any physical product is made.
Choose of material
The cabinet is made partly of steel and partly aluminum. The front panel with 6 mm aluminum and all edges rounded, gives a friendly design. The surface has a fine sandblasted structure with gray anodizing, equivalent to Apple's "Stellar gray", which is durable and easy to keep clean.
The rest of the cabinet is painted according to Flytoget's design manual.
Product design creates a unified product family
BB Computerteknikk uses the same type of aluminum front panel in their entire product line (also designed by NewTrack ), which gives a recognition of their product. Their self-service bag-drop («Bagomat») is installed in Frankfurt, Budapest and Larnaca.
Although FLYTAG is adapted to Flytoget's design manual, the design still follows a line from other BBC products and becomes part of their product family.
Read about NewTracks design for Frankfurt Airport
Product variations with Lexan overlay
The overlay that covers the front of the product gives great freedom for graphic design, and makes it easy to customize the product. The aluminum panel has a recess for the overlay, and makes the it an integrated part of the product. The recess also makes it difficult to remove the overlay without tools.
Adaptation for different train models
The new Airport Express train models that recently came into operation have shelves that are angled slightly inwards, in contrast to the older trains which have horizontal shelves with a small edge in front. FLYTAG is designed identically for different types of shelves, and the adaptation is made with brackets designed specifically for each type of train.
The brackets are designed without the need to modify or make any holes in existing shelves. For the new Airport Express trains, the brackets also fill the gaps in the shelves, to prevent any objects from falling in between.
Designed for fast service and maintenance
For easy service and quick change of tag roll, the device is designed with a pull-out drawer where all components are mounted. This is locked with the same type of key as other technical installations in the train so that the train staff can use the same key.
For quick service, the entire tray is replaced according to what we call the "shrimp principle"; Within a few seconds, the entire module is pulled out of the shell and replaced with a new. This reduces work on board the train and the service can instead be done in a suitable workshop .
Metal-against-metal and "empty coke can"
Installation in a train with continuous vibration can create a lot of noise in metal cabinets, especially with sheet metal design. With creative solutions, we simulated a vibrating train environment, to evoke all the sounds that could occur during operation. Several design measures were made to avoid metal-against-metal and "empty coke can" sound. The inside of the cabinets is partly covered with a 3 mm rubber panel, which effectively reduces vibration.
Design and production in record time
With 3D models of all components, we could complete the design quickly. Within a few weeks, we were able to deliver the first prototype to test the assembly, strength and installation. The entire project was delivered in a very short time. Due to uncertainty related to deliveries of electronics we designed the device to use several types of PC / monitor, simply by changing one bracket.
All mechanical components such as locks and pull-out rails were sourced by NewTracks, which supplied all mechanics to the FLYTAG. Special designed packaging with the customer's logo was designed and produced especially for the product.
The below video shows the design and production of FLYTAG.
