Incorrect measurements cost a fortune – STH Steel avoids costly pitfalls with BeamAce
Issue 1/2024 of Pro Metalli features another BeamAce customer success story! STH Steel shares the significant benefits they’ve gained from using the BeamAce device.
For a modern Finnish machine shop, constant development is essential for long-term success. This is what Timo Prittinen believed when he moved from the ICT sector to become co-owner of the Ostrobothnian workshop STH Steel in 2017.
Prittinen became Deputy CEO, focusing on development and quality, while Sven Grankulla, who specializes in sales, serves as CEO.
"After 30 years in ICT, I saw a lot of untapped potential in the workshop industry. Many things are still done the way they’ve always been done, when we should be asking how they could be done better," Prittinen explains.
STH Steel, a manufacturer of steel structures, has made significant strides in recent years. A recent example is the completion of its third production hall at the turn of the year. The new facility spans 1,500 m² with enough height clearance to accommodate even the tallest steel modules.
In a workshop, everything begins with measurement.
In addition to the new hall, the company has made other forward-looking investments. In April 2023, they acquired BeamAce, a digital layout marking device for structural steel beams.
Launched by Rockroth Oy at the end of 2022, the device enables fast and accurate marking of machining points—such as drill holes or notches—from part drawings, as well as component positions from assembly drawings. The idea behind BeamAce is to speed up the layout process, reduce costly measurement errors, and achieve substantial annual savings.
Measurement is everything
"In a workshop, everything begins with measurement," Prittinen emphasizes.
"When you're producing complex structures for clients, the tolerances are very tight. A measurement error discovered during installation can be extremely expensive—far more than doing it right the first time."
Prittinen stresses the importance of a streamlined measuring process.
"You have to eliminate anything that could cause mental lapses—like measuring from the wrong spot or calculating a value incorrectly in your head."
This is exactly where BeamAce shines. It shows the real-time location of layout tools in relation to the beam, making it easy to mark accurate machining or component locations. The built-in calculator helps determine exact positions regardless of how they’re represented in the drawings. The current version supports rectangular open and hollow profiles up to 300 mm in nominal size.
Best of all, BeamAce easily handles markings on the web of the beam—often the most problematic area. A specially designed square used with BeamAce also allows for layout marking on the vertical sides of the beam.
Born from the field
Andreas Stenroth of Rockroth Oy explains that the idea for BeamAce came directly from industry professionals, who clearly needed a tool that would simplify beam layout marking.
"We wanted to create a user-driven product that doesn’t require long training sessions or major investments to get started," he explains.
Measurement errors discovered during installation can be extremely costly.
The product is distributed in Finland by Retco Oy. Awareness has spread mainly through trade shows—STH Steel discovered BeamAce at such an event and ordered a demo in January 2023.
"We have a relentless drive to keep improving. That curiosity led us to BeamAce," says Prittinen.
Half a dozen professionals—those who handle most of the measuring—attended the demo. In other words, the very people this innovation is supposed to help. What did they think?
Put to the test by seasoned pros
"Here in Ostrobothnia, we’re skeptical by nature—especially of each other’s opinions," Prittinen laughs. But the small group of testers found the device accurate and fast, clearing away any doubts.
"Seeing is believing. The demo won us over, and we started seriously considering a purchase."
They didn’t rush the decision but thought it through. Prittinen believes the concept is solid and sees future potential:
"In the future, perhaps the device could be enhanced to import measurements directly from drawings," he envisions.
"Even in its current form, BeamAce ensures that measurements match the drawings, regardless of orientation. That’s a huge advantage."
Stenroth nods: customers have offered plenty of improvement suggestions—something the company welcomes.
"Users have clearly taken ownership of BeamAce and want to be part of its evolution."
Stenroth says there are already many ideas for new features, and the focus is now on those that bring the most value to users.
Innovation-driven results
Rockroth Oy’s mission is to develop innovative, workflow-enhancing, and productivity-boosting solutions for the steel industry.
"We focus on innovations born from the industry—ideas that boost efficiency and improve working conditions," says Stenroth.
BeamAce also fits perfectly into workflow-driven production: when you can trust your measurements, you can move forward with confidence. Prittinen notes that it’s common for workers to be hesitant with the first few pieces.
"Even though the steps are identical, full confidence only kicks in around the eighth piece," he reveals.
BeamAce
- Digital layout marking device for structural steel beams
- Enables fast and accurate marking of machining and component positions from drawings
- Speeds up layout work and reduces costly human errors
- Supports rectangular open and hollow profiles up to 300 mm nominal size
- Weight approx. 12 kg
- Dimensions: width 514 mm, length 421 mm, height 345 mm
STH Steel
- Manufactures and installs steel structures both locally and internationally
- Certified to produce CE-marked load-bearing steel structures (Execution Class EXC3)
- Supplies structural components to the construction industry and acts as a trusted subcontractor for welded steel components
- Specializes in cost-efficient steel modules, demanding structures, and welded assemblies
- Employs 35 people
- Headquartered in Luoto, Ostrobothnia, Finland
Best of all, BeamAce easily handles layout marking on the beam web.
Digital tools like BeamAce are welcome additions—they help teams focus on what matters and break through hesitation.
"We want to do the right things consistently," Prittinen emphasizes. The old advice to ‘measure twice, cut once’ may be obsolete with BeamAce—its real-time screen shows accurate values at all times.
Streamline your process!
"Customers have come to appreciate this 'ergonomics of thinking'—not having to do mental math to calculate distances from drawings," says Stenroth.
"Usability contributes not only to efficiency but also to job satisfaction—and it makes onboarding new staff easier."
STH Steel has invested in automation, including welding robots. Prittinen says their goal is to provide "the best tools in the industry"—not only for efficiency but to attract tech-savvy young talent.
"New technology is a surprisingly strong recruiting asset," he adds.
According to Prittinen, investing in BeamAce is part of that tech-forward mindset: young professionals are more likely to join a forward-looking company than one stuck in the past.
Translated from the original Finnish article "Virheelliset mitat maksavat maltaita – STH Steel välttää sudenkuopat BeamAcen avulla".
Pro Metalli 1/2024
https://www.prometalli.fi/
Text: Sami J. Anteroinen
Photos: STH Steel
Julkaistu 07.04.2025