Electronics manufacturer Daktronics Inc. is turning the World Cup matches into a true visual experience. The company, based in Brookings, South Dakota, specialises in LED displays, audio and sports display systems.
It made headlines with the world’s largest double-sided Halo display at the Inuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers’ basketball arena. It is also equipping numerous World Cup soccer arenas with its solutions. “Our display systems are installed in six stadia, one in the U.S. and one in Mexico that are hosting World Cup events,” reports Daktronics Vice President of Manufacturing Matt Kurtenbach. “This includes large video screens as well as main and perimeter display systems. In addition to the current scores, the screens also show scenes from the stadium, video clips, and commercials. Some of the screens consist of millions of tiny LEDs.”
Daktronics relies on a high degree of vertical integration. Worldwide, 2,500 employees manufacture all components in-house – from metal enclosures and LED modules to electronics and control systems. The housings are mostly made of aluminum, and partly of steel. The actual display unit – the LED module – is installed inside and connected to all components in the system.
For cutting, punching and bending metal components, Daktronics has relied on TRUMPF machines for about 25 years. The production facility has since been expanded to include numerous bending and punching machines, a TruMatic 6000 fiber punch laser machine and a TruLaser Weld 5000 laser welding system. When selecting machines, Kurtenbach focuses not only on high precision and reliability, but above all on durability and total cost of ownership: “TRUMPF doesn’t build cheap machines, but extremely reliable ones. Over the entire service life of the systems, that pays off. In addition, TRUMPF offers us continuous service over this long period.” Almost all systems are equipped with automation components such as the SheetMaster for sheet metal handling, STOPA storage, and the ToolMaster for automatic tool changes. Daktronics benefits from higher productivity and greater safety for employees, Kurtenbach emphasises.
Modern systems, more automation, higher precision — for Matt Kurtenbach, all of this contributes to a central promise: “Customers don’t just buy a display from Daktronics; above all, they buy confidence in a reliable product and a partner who stands behind their solution for the long term.” With a partner like TRUMPF, who shares this winning mindset, he aims to ensure that this promise remains true in the future and that Daktronics continues to deliver an impressive experience with its displays – on both a grand and intimate scale – at the next sporting event.
When the Daktronics displays light up in the stadia during the World Cup, Kurtenbach will be watching too. As an avid sports fan, he’s looking forward to the tournament’s special atmosphere. He’s rooting for the host countries, the U.S. and Mexico, not just because Daktronics has its own locations there. “I’ll definitely be watching those games.”
Contact: Lynda Mattingley
lynda.mattingley@uk.trumpf.com