VAMK and the City of Vaasa celebrate Nightwish performing in the city – unique titanium drumsticks for the drummer

Kalle Hällfors, project engineer in mechanical engineering at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, was the initiator of the idea. Nightwish fan himself, Hällfors led the project that started in October 2022 and culminated in June 2023 at the concert in Vaasa.  

– The idea originally started when I heard that Nightwish was coming to Vaasa, says Hällfors.  

After some planning around, Hällfors contacted the City of Vaasa, and the city was immediately willing to get involved in funding the project alongside VAMK. 

– We are proud to have a Vaasa-born drummer in Nightwish and Kai is a great example of how one can push itself to the top of the music world from Vaasa, says Christina Knookala, Director of Education and Culture in the City of Vaasa. 

– We invest a lot in cultural activities for young people. For example, we run Rokkikoulu, which Kai has also been involved in, so he provides great inspiration for young people in Vaasa, she continues. 

Another reason why it was easy for VAMK to get involved in the idea was that the honouring of Kai Hahto supports the city’s goal of making its residents happy. Culture and experiences bring important moments of happiness to people. 

Proof of a partnership that works 

As 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is one of VAMK’s core areas of expertise, Hällfors wanted to use this manufacturing technology in the award. The idea was also to raise awareness of the possibilities of 3D printing. In practice, the project proceeded so that the new drumsticks were modelled by using Hahto’s existing drumsticks made of hickory wood.  

– After 3D modelling the sticks, we started to think about what material could be used to 3D print them. Titanium was chosen as the material because we wanted something special and something that had not been done before, explains Hällfors.  

Amexci, which has expertise in 3D printing titanium, partnered with VAMK and the City of Vaasa in the production of the drumsticks. In addition to 3D printing, Amexci also helped with the optimisation of the drumsticks.   

– This project was a great demonstration of great cooperation, and we think the end result is very successful, says Hällfors. 

Strong 3D printing expertise for companies in the Vaasa region  

 Vaasa University of Applied Sciences is involved in promoting 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, skills in SMEs in the Vaasa region. Through the Digital AM Technologies project, VAMK is designing and piloting a training concept that will raise the competence level in additive manufacturing and improve the use of additive manufacturing technologies in industrial production.