One company, one Zünd cutter,
and the Worlds’ largest cruise ship!
Located in Raisio in the southwestern part of Finland, Nylon-Tuote Finland OY specializes in producing advanced materials, primarily to the shipbuilding industry. Their diverse product range includes sun protection and canvas roofs, curtains and curtain accessories, protective covers, plastic films, as well as a huge number of custom-made specialty products from motorized blackout curtains to aprons.
To achieve precision in cutting, they rely on their Zünd G3 2XL-3200 digital cutter.
We talked to Ville Pajunen, the owner of Nylon-Tuote, about his business, a unique project with the world’s largest cruise ship ‘Icon of the Seas,’ and the significance of the Zünd cutter in his work.
Mega cruise ship ”Icon of the Seas”, and the Nylon-Tuote collaboration
The Icon of The Seas stands as the world’s largest cruise ship, completed by Royal Caribbean in early 2024 and embarked on its maiden voyage.
Notably, this ship has redefined ship architecture, featuring a unique “Aquadome” – an immense 70×35 meter dome at the stern, adorned with a waterfall, two diving towers, and a diving pool.
Close collaboration with the architects
Our company was a part of the production of the upper roof of the dome, supplying the 4-5 m triangular aluminum panels with acoustic triangles and tensile fabrics.
The complexity of the project was mind-blowing; there wasn’t a single straight line or flat surface throughout the whole structure. Each panel had custom measurements, featuring rounded and curved designs.
Collaborating closely with the architects, we meticulously planned the dimensioning and construction from the ground up. Only during the assembly of the panels, one or two months before the ship’s maiden voyage, did we learn if our efforts had been successful.
A daunting endeavor
It was a daunting endeavor with zero room for error, operating on a very tight production schedule, pushing our company to its absolute limits. The entire dome construction hinged on our planning, making it nerve-wracking to wait until the last minute to see if everything fit as intended.
In addition to the dome’s inner padding, we also manufactured PVC to cover the sides of the diving towers, and fabric screen masking near the roof, concealing the catwalk from spectators below.”
We spent four years on this project. Around two years in, we hit a rough patch and felt like giving up, but we pushed through. Now, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. It changed our whole company and showed us that we can handle any challenge, big or small!
Right now, we’re also working on the sister ship of Icon of The Seas and other projects.”
Nylon-Tuote was tasked with constructing and producing acoustic triangles and tensile fabrics for the upper roof of the dome. Each panel had custom measurements, featuring rounded and curved designs.
Nylon-Toute manufactured PVC to cover the sides of the diving towers, and fabric screen masking near the roof, concealing the catwalk from spectators below.
A major decision to buy a cutter
When Ville decided to get a cutter, he carefully looked at all the brands available in the market. He spent several years researching to find the best solution.
It’s a significant investment, and it was important for us to get the best value for our money in terms of quality and durability. The Zünd Cutter is very versatile, so we use it throughout our production.”
He ultimately chose a Zünd cutter due to its modular structure, making it easy to switch between various modules and tools. The router function allows them to cut hard plastics and occasionally aluminum sheets, while the different knives are used for cutting foils, PVC, and fabrics.
Size and width were also crucial factors, and the machine is consistently utilized to its maximum capacity.
How did you experience the purchase process?
In my research I had studied Zünd, watched videos and examined the technical details.
I visited the Alihankinta subcontractor fair in Finland where Zünd had brought a smaller S3 cutter. This was naturally too small for my needs, but the positive dialogue I had with Martin and the Finnish technician convinced me to move Zünd up on my list of brands.
I didn’t see the Zünd G3 2XL-3200 cutter in real life until it was installed in my production six months after, but the impression that Martin and the Zünd team had left was so convincing that I felt confident about my decision.
I also consulted with a business colleague that had many years of experience with cutters. He recommended Zünd as the best on the market.
Does the cutter live up to your expectations?
Oh yes! Definitely – YES!
The cutter operates with surprisingly few problems, an important factor for us.
Given our tight production schedule once dimensions are complete, we can’t afford delays waiting for spare parts or technicians in case of a breakdown.
While we did compare cutters, we found a Chinese model that cost two-thirds less. However, for us, quality and reliability outweigh price. We view it as a significant investment in our production and future growth, requiring the cutter to be precise and run at 100% efficiency all the time.
Our concern with a cheaper cutter was the potential for it to break down at a critical time, causing significant issues – that’s just how Murphy’s law tends to work!
How do you experience the service from Zünd?
No less than exceptional!
An example: Once we encountered issues with a tool. With a tight schedule and close to panic, I contacted Zünd in Denmark. To my surprise, the next day, we received a new exchange tool, and we promptly returned the defective one. The speed and ease of the process left me thoroughly impressed.
For our daily needs, we order bits and blades, often in the nick of time. The convenience of ordering directly from Zünd’s webstore and getting our order next day has been excellent.”
Service and Software agreements
Fortunately, we’ve experienced minimal mechanical problems with the cutter, and it consistently runs smoothly.
Recognizing that every machine requires occasional service, we’ve entered into a software and hardware maintenance agreement with Zünd. We see it as an investment in maintaining seamless production without downtime.
Avoiding breakdowns and wait times is crucial for us, why staying updated and secure is essential.
About Nylon-Tuote Finland Oy
Nylon-Tuote Finland Oy, established in 1952, is a family-run business deeply rooted in the plastics and textiles industry, with a significant history in subcontracting for the ship-industry.
Founded by Ville Pajunen’s grandmother, the company began by manufacturing aprons for children. Ville’s father later took over, and from 1985 to 1990, they expanded their operations to serve the shipbuilding sector.
Ville officially joined the company full-time in 2015, leaving his job at BMW and subsequently acquiring the business. With a strong family connection to the company, Ville had been involved in the business for many years.
Presently, Nylon-Tuote Finland Oy derives 85% of its turnover from various aspects of shipbuilding, including interior decoration projects, cabins, outer and inner deck decorations, sunscreens, as well as the production of membranes in PVC and textiles.
