Tonies GmbH: zwickiLine for Standard Compliant Testing to DIN EN 71-1
Case Study
- Customer: Tonies GmbH
- Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
- Industry: Plastics, Lifestyle & Sports, Electronics & Mechatronics
- Topic: Tonies GmbH: Proven safety and quality thanks to ZwickRoell
Tonies creates interactive, child-friendly audio experiences in the digital age
Tonies GmbH specializes in developing interactive audio experiences for children. Founded in 2013, the idea stemmed from a desire to re-imagine child-friendly entertainment in the digital age. The focus is on the Toniebox, a square, shock-resistant speaker designed specifically for children and easy to use.
Instead of screens, Tonies use a haptic concept where small Tonies figures are placed on the Toniebox, which then automatically plays audio content. These figures are available in various versions and offer audio plays, music, or educational content that engage children in a playful and creative way. By combining digital technology with traditional, physical play, the system encourages both children's imagination and independence.
A special feature: Child-friendly operation. You can adjust the volume by pressing the box's ears, and simply tapping or tilting it will start content or change chapters. This makes the system easy to use and safe, even for younger children. The Toniebox intentionally avoids screen technology to prioritize listening and children’s imagination.
Since its launch, the Toniebox has become an internationally successful product and is present in many households worldwide. The company has also continued to evolve, now offering a wide range of Tonies figures and its own creations, including "Creative Tonies" that allow parents and children to upload and personalize their own content.
ZwickRoell top competences
- Accurate and reliable testing: The zwickiLine testing machine enables accurate material testing and delivers reliable results.
- Improved reproducibility: Automated and digitally recorded tests ensure high reproducibility and precise documentation.
- Flexibility through modularity: The plug and T-slot system, along with various test tools, allows for flexible testing of different materials and components.
- User-friendly software: The testXpert testing software makes it quick and easy to run tests, streamlining the testing process.
- Standard-compliant safety tests: The materials testing machine verifies that all figures meet the safety requirements of DIN EN 71-1, including checking on small parts and moving components.
- Enhanced product quality: Detailed data collection has significantly improved product safety and quality at Tonies.
The task
Focus on the safety and quality of toys and electronics
For companies in the toy industry, it is crucial that all products meet the highest safety and quality standards to protect children from potential hazards. This requires extensive materials testing and compliance with standards, such as those prescribed by DIN EN 71-1 or DIN 53540. Toys must be tested for various safety aspects, including the strength of their parts, sharp edges, small parts that could be swallowed and the load-bearing capacity of moving components. The goal is to ensure that every product meets strict requirements, making it suitable for children.
The ZwickRoell solution
Precise toy testing for safety-relevant properties, thanks to zwickiLine.
To efficiently and accurately meet test requirements, Tonies GmbH opted for a static universal testing machine. This zwickiLine allows for the testing of material specimen and toy figures for tensile strength, strain at tear, and other safety-relevant properties, all in accordance with applicable standards. The machine’s modular design allows the test tools to be changed quickly and flexibly, allowing for a wide variety of tests to be performed. Additionally, the user-friendly testXpert software simplifies automated data acquisition and documentation, significantly improving test reproducibility.
“Thanks to the zwickiLine, we ensure that every Toniebox and Tonie meets the highest safety and quality standards. The precise and flexible test methods help us assess the durability and resilience of our products, ensuring children can play, listen, and discover with confidence.”
Andrea Leist, Director Global Quality, Tonies GmbH
The result
Ensuring toy safety and high product quality before market launch.
Using the zwickiLine testing machine significantly optimized safety tests at Tonies GmbH. Digitally recording and analyzing the test values improved the traceability and accuracy of the results. Furthermore, the flexible materials testing machine enables faster adaptation to various test requirements, making the entire testing process more efficient. Overall, this significantly improved product quality and safety, as potential risks can be identified and addressed early, before products reach the market.
