Schiller Grounds Care was developing a next-generation Large Stand-On Blower for their Little Wonder brand. They needed a sophisticated electro-mechanical system that would give operators powered, remote control of airflow direction from the operator’s station—a significant upgrade from traditional manual chute systems that required operators to stop and dismount to adjust discharge direction.
The core engineering challenge was complex: Schiller needed an electro-mechanical system that would integrate seamlessly with the existing blower housing while preserving optimal airflow performance. With a clear technical vision in place, Schiller engaged a specialized engineering consultancy to help validate, refine, and rapidly execute advanced control concepts.
Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. faced aggressive timeline pressure driven by procurement and fabrication needs. The primary risk was falling behind competitors who were already offering powered rotation systems. Missing key deadlines could have delayed the product launch, compromised their market positioning, and impacted dealer relationships.
This was Finite Engineering’s second engagement with Schiller. Following a successful first project, Schiller valued Finite’s broader cross-industry experience and proven ability to bring innovative, “out-of-the-box” concepts to grounds care equipment challenges. Schiller specifically sought Finite’s expertise in electromechanical systems integration—a capability the internal team needed to accelerate their development timeline.
Finite Engineering delivered a comprehensive design solution encompassing mechanical engineering, electrical controls, and production-ready documentation over a 9-10 week engagement. The scope included 3D CAD modeling of the complete system, electrical system design with multiple circuit options, manufacturing drawings for both 3D-printed prototype components and fabricated parts, a complete bill of materials with vendor sourcing recommendations, and rapid design iteration in response to evolving client requirements.
The project’s most critical phase came on July 15 when Schiller shared a finalized blower housing design that differed significantly from the preliminary version. In just eight days (July 15-23), Finite adapted all affected components to the new geometry and reached design freeze—the last possible date to allow time for drawing completion.
Throughout the project, Finite maintained weekly video meetings with live 3D model “fly-around” reviews and AI-captured meeting notes distributed via email. All deliverables were uploaded through a secure file-share service.
Finite Engineering delivered a complete rotational Air Discharge System meeting all technical requirements on August 4—completing the project 60% faster than a typical 4-6 month timeline. The design specified 69% off-the-shelf components (20 of 29 parts) to minimize custom fabrication costs, while strategic design decisions avoided an $8,000 change order. The simple, serviceable electrical system—using only switch and relay logic—ensures the system will be easy to diagnose and repair in the field, positioning Schiller for manufacturing success.
