Overview:
Micro Mechanical Technology Solutions
from Switzerland
Polydec SA, Biel, micro turning machines
by Judith Light Feather
The success of micro-mechanical engineering and manufacturing in Switzerland is mainly attributed to the precision watchmaking industry that has had it's roots firmly planted in the country for centuries and continues to maintain a reputation for excellence around the world.
The recent tour of Micro-Mechanical Engineering manufacturers arranged by Location Switzerland in September 2008 included watchmaking companies along with medical technologies, automotive, aerospace, and electronics; featuring designers and manufacturers of precision micro mechanical tools, components, applications and solutions.
An educated technical workforce is also a prime consideration in countries that continually produce products and machinery requiring engineering design for the leading technology segments of manufacturing. Visits were scheduled with universities and technical institutes to review the courses developed for the micro/nanotechnology integrated fields of study. An overview of the courses will be included in this report.
The field of micro manufacturing requires tools and machines that can offer precision and efficiency in production at very small sizes. The acceptable tolerance required in watchmaking and many of the other industries we visited is .002 -.005 microns which must be viewed with a microscope for quality control, finishing and assembly.
A few of the companies were using scanning tunneling microscopes in their quality control research departments to analyze the surfaces of these small parts for defects at the nano scale, which is 1 billionth of a meter, and affects the stress and tolerance level of metals and plastics in the final products. The ability to detect these surface defects for the aerospace and medical implant manufacturers where they are the most sensitive to the human biological system and environmental weather extremes will segue the manufacturing industry from the micro to the nano scale of production with precision and efficiency in the upcoming decade. Increasingly people are looking for products offering new technologies, better functionality, design and reliability. Often precision and efficiency in the manufacturing processes are decisive for such products to be successful in the marketplace.
Therefore, companies must continually support their research and development to ensure their future and gain their market share by working towards developing a reputation for setting new trends with higher standards. The competitive global marketplace demands this excellence that Swiss companies have historically garnered through efficiency and intelligence.
GF AgieCharmilles, Meyrin
This company is the world's leading supplier of machines, automation solutions and services to the tool and mold making industry. They are experts in all technologies relating to electro erosion, high-speed and high-performance milling as well as automation. They offer a comprehensive range of services supporting manufacturers of state-of-the-art mold and tool making products and companies producing precision parts.
EDM
Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) is a machining process that uses a series of electric discharges (sparks) to erode material from a workpiece. There are two types of EDM: wire-cutting and die-sinking. EDM is key technology in the manufacture of high-performance molds as well as press tools for the series production of plastic, glass and metal parts and for the direct machining of complex precision
ED machining and 5-axis milling are the key technologies for manufacturing devices such as back implants for the medical field. In modern machining technology, there is an ever-increasing trend towards high levels of availability and greater flexibility. The demand is for even better machining quality, shorter turnaround times and improved, more cost-effective solutions. The future oriented strategy for the standard machines produced by GF AgieCharmilles is based on this development. From the complete range of machines, toolmakers, mold makers and component manufactures can select an individual solution in order to gain a competitive edge.
US customers need unique unsupervised milling
Great Lakes Mold is based in the US state of Michigan and constructs complete injection molds for components for the automobile, electronics and medical industries. The medium- sized enterprise also supplies individual tool elements, such as mold inserts, slides, ejectors or repair parts. For this, Great Lakes Mold makes use of the HSC and EDM machining processes as key technologies in tool making.
Whelen is the only American manufacturer of emergency warning systems that manufactures its products completely within the USA. Robotics, many years of know-how, highly motivated employees and, finally, state-of-the-art machine tools, such as ED wire-cutting and die-sinking equipment from GF AgieCharmilles are the key to sustainable competitive ability in the global market.
HSM Spindle Technology, Tooling, Parts, Service and more...
Development, production and sale of the motor spindles that form the core components of modern HSM centers. The spindles rotate at speeds between 10 000 and 60 000 rpm. Tooling for fixing workpieces and tools; automation systems and system software for configuring machine tools and recording and exchanging data with the various system components. Service, maintenance, spare parts and consumables for EDM, milling and HSM systems as well as for other machine tools; consumables include filters, wire, graphite, copper electrodes and special resin.
For more information on GF AgieCharmilles and their current US customers success download their
Results TODAY Magazine at:
http://www.gfac.com/gfac/news/publications/results-today-3.html
Main Website: http://www.gfac.com
SIP, Meyrin.
Since 1862, SIP is a world reference in meeting customers high precision manufacturing equipment needs. Their mission is to provide their customers technical leverage with the most accurate machines and equipment with a large range of applications, from micro-replicating parts to helicopter gear boxes with the minimum scraps for high added value parts. Located in the suburb of Geneva Switzerland, the company manufactures machining centers in an ultra modern facility.
Effective integration of tool & pallet changers, rotary tables, tool management systems, measuring devices, flexible cells, coolant systems, thermal shields, and temperature compensation systems. Each machining center configuration is based on modular systems to fit exactly to your specific needs.
Efficient service capabilities providing customers a guarantee for sustaining their accurate production equipment and offering a wide range of products as calibrations, spare parts, retrofits and machine moving.
For more information, please contact our customer service: service@sip.starragheckert.com or directly to:
Sébastien CRETEGNY
Customer Service
Language: french/english/german/spanish
E-Mail: sipservice@starragheckert.com
Visit website:
Endosense, Meyrin
Endosense is a medical technology company focused on enabling the broad adoption of catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Imagine an ablation catheter that allows electro-physiologists to know exactly how much contact force they are applying during the delicate catheter ablation procedure.
Endosense has met this challenge with the development of its TactiCath™, the first force-sensing ablation catheter to provide a real-time, objective measure of contact force between the catheter and the beating heart wall. Representing a dramatic leap forward in catheter ablation technology, TactiCath allows the electro-physiologist to deliver the right force for the right lesion.
A New Standard in Ablation Catheters
TactiCath is a high-end ablation catheter with features designed to have a major positive impact on physician ease of use, safety, effectiveness and efficiency, while optimizing the latest in mapping and robotic techniques.
Endosense’s TactiCath ablation catheter has undergone extensive preclinical testing in the United States and Europe. The first human trial of TactiCath is slated to occur in Europe in mid-2008, with CE Mark approval expected in 2009. TactiCath is currently limited to investigational use only by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
View product animations at: http://www.endosense.com/site/pages/product.html
Patek Philippe, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva
As an independent family owned company, Patek Philippe enjoys total creative freedom to design, produce and assemble what experts agree to be the finest timepieces in the world. Most of them are limited edition, hand assembled designs that are considered 'fine art' by collectors around the world.
Baselworld 2008 Show (Yearly Introduction of new designs)
The ”World Time watch“, one of Patek Philippe’s emblematic complications, is particularly coveted by collectors as are the famous and rare 1940s and 1950s models. This exclusive timepiece in yellow gold stands out with a hand-made cloisonné enamel dial and an engraved bezel.
Ref. 5131 Y. ”World Time“. Mechanical self-winding movement. Caliber 240 HU. Indication of 24 time zones. Dial center in cloisonné enamel. Strap: alligator with square scales, hand-stitched, matt chocolate brown. Fold-over clasp. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 30 m. Yellow gold. Case diameter: 39.5 mm.
The Art of Cloisonne enameling
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Ref. 5076/100 Masque de Venise- The series of photos show the art of cloisonne enameling that is required for many of the designs revealing that each timepiece is a work of fine art.
A Manufacturing center that requires Artisans in every department including clean rooms
On our recent visit to the manufacturing center for this very private company we were privileged to spend time with Stefan from the Advanced Research Department, the lead designer of micron-sized individual parts necessary for the complications (features engineered with moving parts) unique to each new watch. The drawings on the drafting table looked much like gears for machinery of standard size, that is until he asked me to open my hand so he could drop a minute dot of metal into my palm, which turned out to be the finished piece. The only way to view it was through magnification of a jewelers loop, at which point our group could see the complicated pattern of the design that matched the drawing previously viewed, but with the finished size in the micron range with very exact tolerance levels of .002-.005 microns.
The tour included a walk-through from the design area to the hand-finishing sectors where we noticed that mostly women were etching patterns and hand-painting designs on these tiny parts under microscopes in the clean rooms. When questioned, our tour leader stated that women had smaller hands and more patience for this type of detail focus, therefore they dominated the workforce. All the timepieces are also hand-assembled by watchmakers with a 4-year degree in watchmaking. We were guided to a conference room by one of these expert watchmakers who explained all the different types of timepieces that are introduced each year at Baselworld for collectors to preview with prices that range from $300,000 US to $1.2 million. The uniqueness of the manufacturing center could not be duplicated anywhere else in the world as the watchmaker artisan linage is embedded in the DNA of Swiss history.
A Unique History of Watchmaking
You can visit the Patek Philippe Museum online at: http://www.patekmuseum.com/ for a complete history of their watchmaking in Geneva. Explore the roots of time-measurement through a visual timeline which details the key events in watchmaking evolution from the Antique creations of the 1500's, through to the founding of Patek Philippe in 1839, up to the present day.
Beginning in 2005 Patek Philippe introduced the first in a series of technological innovations from their Advanced Research department, the Ref 5250 featuring a Silinvar® escape wheel. Again in 2006 another Silinvar® innovation the Ref 5350 featuring the Spiromax® hairspring. In 2008 a trilogy of innovations culminating in the Ref 5450, featuring a Silinvar® lever, was realized. The story of these innovations can be viewed on the Rendezvous section of their website with animations in the Flash program at www.patek.com
Y-Parc, Yverdon-les-Bains
At present Y-Parc is Switzerland's biggest technology park, providing companies with every possibility for expansion. The companies automatically benefit from Y-Parc's promotional activities, which radiate all over Switzerland and Europe in economic, political, scientific and financial circles. Around 110 companies, all active in the fields of high technology, are grouped together at Y-Parc, offering an invaluable network of skills and interactivity.
The main reason for choosing to settle in Y-Parc is its atmosphere. To be among the companies that invent and design the future - and to be part of them - that's the Y-Parc spirit! Y-Parc welcomes all companies active in the domains of research and development of products or innovative ideas.
Yverdon-les-Bains is a thermal centre and regional capital with a population of 60,000. It offers all the advantages of an urban zone in a superlative, protected natural setting.
The region of Yverdon-les-Bains is renowned for its confirmed industrial tradition, especially in the highly sought-after field of precision instruments. In addition, it fosters an exceptional network of skills thanks to various colleges and institutes.
Website: http://www.y-parc.ch/flash/intro_en.html
Schott Guinchard AG, Yverdon
'glass made of ideas' identifies this global manufacturing company. Known for their advanced optics in business segments including: Precision Materials for electronic packaging, display glass, and pharmaceutical systems, Advanced Materials and Fiber Optics for the optical industries, and home tech, flat glass and solar for the Home Appliance industries.
Global manufacturing includes 5 facilities worldwide in Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia, China and the USA. The global R&D network includes 3 facilities in Germany, China and USA.
Schott, North America is known for their advanced optic projects involving Neutron Science, Exploring Space and the 30 year partnership to develop laser glass for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Another major project is the Gran Telescopio Canarias, which is set to become the world’s biggest telescope. SCHOTT is supplying 42 ”ZERODUR®“ glass ceramic mirror carriers for the project which they began casting in 2000. SCHOTT was also awarded the contract for the primary mirror, the ”heart“ of the telescope – in the face of competition from the USA and Russia – because of the superior quality of its ”ZERODUR®“ material.
From prototype to production, they propose a large range of products.
- Cut pieces, precision blanks
- Instrument glasses
- Plane-parallel polished substrates
- Thin film coating
- Demist coating
- Cylindrical lenses
- Aspherical lenses
- Ceramics machining
- Sapphire cover glass for luxury watches
- Assembly
More than 250 different types of glass are always in stock that enables immediate production : Optical glass, Filter glass, Technical glasses, Fused silica, Fused quartz, and Ceramics. A variety of high-performance machines allows machining any shape such as:
Plates, disks, cylinders, lenses, prisms, and sophisticated shapes, such as lightweight geometries
They are able to machine the following dimensions:
ø 0.3 to 1000 mm
volumes up to 2000 x 820 x 1120 mm
with tolerances of 0.01, and even 0.001 mm
SCHOTT GUINCHARD also specializes in the production of plano-parallel polished substrates, thick or thin, of the highest precision and also has a large thin film coating capability in-house, thanks to 8 vacuum coating installations. Over the years SCHOTT GUINCHARD has successfully developed the production of cylindrical, convex and concave lenses in a variety of sizes with a radius of up to 3000 mm.
They have also been producing for more than 15 years convex aspheric surfaces with precision machining techniques (instead of moulding). They use the newest state-of-the-art machines : CNC Machines + Magneto Rheology Fluid technology.
Assembly: The customer defines the design and specifications, such as positioning, optical centering, etc., and they complete with specific installations, machines and tooling.
Visit website for more information. http://www.us.schott.com/english/index.html
Symbios Orthopedie SA, Yverdon-les-Bains
Symbios specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing throughout Europe of hip and knee implant systems.
Drawing upon 19 years of clinical experience with custom prostheses, Symbios has introduced the 1st system allowing control of the anatomical reconstruction of standard prostheses (SPS, SPS Modular and Custom stems). This system allows them to effectively optimize the treatment of all cases, from the simplest to the most complex.
The system consists of 3 elements:
1. 3D planning software: HIP PLAN
2. Adapted implants: SPS, SPS Modular, Custom
3. A specific surgical technique: reliable and reproducible
positioning of the implants
The advantages for the patients are:
- The implants are fitted as pre-planned
-In each case, the surgeon can simultaneously check the length of the leg and the femoral offset against the pre-plan, and thus reduce the rates of limping and dislocations.
Starting from a CT scanner examination, a Custom prosthesis adapts perfectly to the wide range of femoral anatomical variations across the population and allows the patient to recover a perfectly normal quality of life.
The Knee Implant advantages for patients:
With the F.I.R.S.T knee prosthesis the patient is capable of recovering an optimal functionality of a healthy knee. The comparative clinical studies in progress show significant differences in terms of gait analysis.
The innovative design of the F.I.R.S.T prosthesis pre-disposes to:
1. Immediate articular stability
2. Excellent post-operative mobility
3. An increased working life of the implants thanks to an improvement in the articular surfaces minimizing the risks of wear.
A video of the knee implant is online at:
http://www.symbios.ch/en/p_genou/avantages_patient.htm
Visit the website for more details on all implants:
http://www.symbios.ch/en/index.htm
AJS Production SA,
The production center at AJS Produciton SA
Created in the Swiss Jura, the birthplace of watch component manufacturing and of Louis himself, the Louis Chevrolet Watch Company draws on regional skill and craftsmanship. The rich local experience and traditions of this area enable their enterprise to master the entire product development process.
All aspects of manufacturing, from technical to aesthetic, are overseen in their own workshops of AJS Production. They produce all their own timepiece components as well as decorate all movements in-house. The manufacturing process terminates with assembly and final quality control of the finished watches.
heir skill lies in the mastery of each process expected of high-end watch production and is a combination of the latest manufacturing technologies, employing optics and numerical techniques, as well as the more traditional touch of hand-finished movement decoration. Whether it be the creation of a tailor-made product, limited series models or a truly unique timepiece, the work philosophy allows the flexibility and efficiency to meet the clients’ needs.
Birth of a Swiss watchmaker's son
The second of a family of seven children, Louis Chevrolet comes into this world on December 25, 1878 in La Chaux-de-Fonds where his father works in the watch making industry.
With the end of the economic crisis in 1880, Louis’ talented watchmaker father returns to work in his hometown of Bonfol. The family resides in the neighboring village of Beurnevésin.
The path of an adventurer
In 1887, the family moves to Beaune, France. Louis is now 11 years old. He becomes a bicycle mechanic and participates in competitive cycling. It is during this period that he meets the billionaire American Vanderbilt who offers Louis work in the USA. However, he continues his French tour by working in the Darracq automobile factories in Paris. Louis eventually decides to leave and after passing through Quebec in 1900 he arrives on American soil and works at De Dion Bouton America in New York.
From Chevrolet to Frontenac
The Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan was created on November 3, 1911. It is under this emblem that the luxurious Classic Six sedan is launched, forever remembered in America as an astonishing feat of innovation of the time. Louis takes advantage of a European voyage to retrace his childhood footsteps. Upon his return to the States and following a disagreement, he cedes his shares and the Chevrolet name to his associate, William Durant. Ever-faithful to his motto ”Never give up“, in 1914 he creates his own line of race cars under the team Frontenac name. This innovative car, due to its power and lightness of its aluminum construction, brings both glory and death to his brother, Gaston, posthumously crowned champion of America.
End of a man, beginning of a legend
After the death of his brother, Gaston, Louis recovers his passion for mechanical work. In 1921, partnering with his brother Arthur, he founds the Chevrolet Brothers Manufacturing Company, an enterprise developing motors for automobiles and aviation. As the 1929 economic crisis takes root, Louis leaves the company to his brother and finds work at the Chevrolet factory in Detroit. Battered by illness and the loss of family members, he passes away on June 6, 1941. He is buried in the public cemetery in Indianapolis where a memorial is now erected to honor the extraordinary man whose life and work marked American history forever.
In the 1950's the commercial ”See the USA in a Chevrolet“ was so prominent that I can still hear the jingle. So learning the history of the man behind the car was quite interesting, especially since his legend in the USA still lives on, even though he was born in Switzerland.
The watch collection honors his life, his family and his will, demonstrated by his motto, ”Never give up.“
View the catalog of Louis Chevrolet watches at:
http://www.louischevrolet.ch/portail/catalogue.php?lg=en
Micro Precision Systems AG, Biel
MPS Micro Precision Systems AG is an outsourcing partner for design and manufacturing of precision, micromechanical solutions. They bring 70 years of experience in manufacturing high precision and miniature systems to the project team that they form with their customers. The goal is to propose not only an innovative solution to a specific design challenge; but a smart solution that focuses on the performance of the end application. Understanding the bigger picture, through a close collaboration with customers, generates elegant solutions to the most complex problems.
Customized solutions
MPS provides solutions for customers requiring micro systems with a linear or rotating movement. The application fields for such systems include the watch industry, the medical device industry, the automation and the optical industry.
microsphere® & microlinea®
Their core competences derive from their standard product lines: microsphere – miniature bearings and
precision balls, and microlinea – precision ground ball screws and linear bearings.
MPS was founded and joined the Faulhaber Group in 2003. The history of the company however dates back to 1930. Since then the company has evolved from a miniature ball bearing manufacturer to a 200 employee strong micro mechanics solution provider for customers in industries with high demands on precision and miniaturized mechanisms.
For more information visit: http://www.mpsag.com
Affolter Technologies SA, Malleray
Affolter Technologies SA develops, constructs and manufactures electronic and mechanical components for machines as well as machine-tools for micro mechanical applications. Its standard products, as well as tailor-made developments, come from its experience of high-level applications.
CNC Gear cutting and micromilling centers
The Gear AF100 is an 8-axes CNC gear hobbing machine.
Equipped with the Agil 8-10 CNC-control, the Gear AF100 can cut straight, helical, tapered and convex teeth on gears, shafts and pinions, by either the generating or the indexing method of hobbing. The part is held between centers and direct-driven by two independent motor spindles. The tool is driven by a third motor spindle. The three motor spindles are electronically synchronized, with rotation speeds of up to 16'000 min-1.
The +/-30° inclination angle of the cutting spindle and hob shifting are programmable and completely automatic.
CNC Automatic Lathes
The CROWN line machines are CNC automatic lathes with sliding headstocks. They have a maximum bar passage of 4mm. The CROWN T04 with 12 numeric axes manages 8 transverse tools simultaneously comprising 8 transverse tools activated by 2 numeric axes, a compound table with 5 frontal tools, also a withdrawal spindle on separate compound table with 4 frontal tools.
Turning, drilling/milling and withdrawal operations can be performed simultaneously to guarantee minimum machining time.
Numerical controls
The CNC controls of the Leste series provide powerful processing, universal functionalities, simple commissioning and ease of use.
Customized controls
Do you need an electronic control for your machine, of a part of your machine or equipment?
Do you want to improve its output?
We have the electronic answer for you!
Affolter Technologies SA masters the highest technologies, like microprocessor, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) technology !
They can quickly develop, for you, the most compact and reliable electronic controls !
Visit the website for more detailed information: http://www.affelec.ch/10/480/481.asp
Polydec SA, Biel
turned microparts
Polygonal piece for electronics 0.6mm
Polydec is a supplier to the global automotive industry as a manufacturer of micro-axles. It manufactures precise test plungers for the electronics industry and is actively engaged in the high-end watch industry and medical sectors.
With its experience in microturning, Polydec has become a valuable development partner to many companies. Customer-specific engineering, feasibility studies, prototypes, and materials research are as much a part of business at Polydec as actual series production.
Infrastructure and Material
A highly modern equipment park manufactured in Switzerland enables the fabrication of very large product runs with the utmost precision.
The machinery used are optimized for performance thanks to unparalleled collaboration with the machinery manufacturers and are adjusted for specific mandates to match their customers specifications and quality control.
Polydec SA has a quality assurance system which is certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949. This guarantees performance and efficiency in development management and production process. In addition, certification in accordance with ISO 14001 confirms the determination of Polydec to include environmental awareness in all of its operations However, the market continues to be the best reference for the performance of a company. The many years’ trust of the customers and the joint economic success are and remain the best testimony of Polydecs’ work.
Contact (Switzerland)
Polydec SA
14, rue de Longeau
CH-2504 Biel/Bienne
T +41 (0)32 344 10 00
F +41 (0)32 344 10 01
Contact (U.S.A.)
Polydec International Inc.
150 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2800
Chicago IL, 60601
T +1 (312) 624-7697
F +1 (312) 624 7736
Stryker Medical Technology, Selzach
Stryker is a broadly based, global leader in medical technology with a history of success and exceptional growth. We are one of the largest players in the $28.6 billion worldwide orthopedic market with products that improve medical professionals’ and patients’ lives in over 120 countries. They are dedicated to working with respected health care professionals to help people live more active, fulfilling lives.
Their growth has come from offering an unparalleled variety of innovative, high-quality products and services resulting from the dedication of their employees. Through better products, simplified surgical techniques and improved hospital efficiencies, they are reducing health-care costs in systems throughout the world and helping patients regain their active lives.
Dr. Homer Stryker
Stryker’s history is rooted in innovation. When Dr. Homer Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon from Kalamazoo, Michigan, found that certain medical products were not meeting his patients’ needs, he invented new ones. As interest in these products grew, Dr. Stryker started a company in 1941 to produce them. Stryker is well-positioned to continue serving the worldwide medical community for generations to come.
The most important thing Stryker offers surgeons is the power to make a difference for their patients. The joint replacement portfolio of hip, knee and shoulder implants focuses on procedural and product innovations that will stand the test of time. Stryker's goal and the surgeon’s goal are the same: the right procedure and the right implant for the right patient.
Knee Implant
As a pioneer in wear performance technologies, Stryker Orthopedics' scientists have developed a breakthrough in bearing technology - a polyethylene bearing material that has mechanical strength better than conventional polyethylene1, with 97% wear reduction over conventional polyethylene; greater than first-generation highly-crosslinked polyethylene2-6, and oxidation resistance similar to virgin polyethylene7,8.
They also have hip, shoulder and elbow systems, bone cement and bone substitutes. For a complete portfolio of their products visit:
http://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/Orthopaedics/index.htm
Oerlikon Space AG, Zurich
Oerlikon Space AG is Switzerland's leading space company.
Some 300 highly qualified employees at the company's headquarters in Zurich are engaged in developing and manufacturing high-tech subsystems and components for missions in space.
As the world's leading manufacturer of payload fairings for launch vehicles Oerlikon Space supplies the payload fairings for the Ariane 5 and Vega European launchers and for the American Atlas V 500.
The company is involved in numerous institutional and commercial space programs around the world with its ultra-lightweight, high-stability structures, precision mechanisms, and innovative products such as laser terminals for optical communication between satellites.
Oerlikon Space has a wide range of engineering capabilities encompassing mechanical, optical, electronics and software design, development, production and testing of complex systems for space applications. Under its former name of Contraves, Oerlikon Space helped to mold the space programs of the European Space Agency ESA from the very beginning.
Product Lines
Payload Fairings & Launcher Structures: Since 1974, Oerlikon Space has been responsible for the development and production of all Ariane launcher payload fairings. Currently, fairings are produced for the European Ariane 5 and for the United Launch Alliance Atlas V-500 launch vehicles as well as for the small European Launcher Vega. To date, all payload fairings built in a variety of sizes and configurations have an unrivaled 100 % mission success.
Spacecraft Structures: Oerlikon Space designs and manufactures lightweight structures and thermally stable platforms for many ESA science missions as well as for commercial telecommunication satellites.
Mechanisms: Oerlikon Space is one of the European leaders in the development of complex and reliable space mechanisms. Since 2006 Oerlikon Space qualifies as the only European supplier offering a full range of solar array drive mechanisms (SADM) from the micro satellite class up to the largest Telecom & Earth observation satellites.
Scientific Instruments: Building scientific instruments for a wide range of applications, such as astronomy, earth observation, life and material sciences, in collaboration with universities and institutes, is another of Oerlikon Space's activities.
Electro-optical Systems: In the area of optical communication between satellites, Oerlikon Space has acquired the full range of technologies to meet the rapidly increasing demand for high capacity data links within satellite constellations.
Their range of expertise covers all major aspects of a space project from mission analysis to systems engineering and project management, engineering services, manufacturing, assembly and integration, testing, and finally providing support at the launch site.
Major customers
Arianespace, ESA, EADS, Thales Alenia Space, United Launch Alliance (ULA), Lockheed Martin, Carl Zeiss SMT AG
For more information visit:
BMW Sauber F1 Team, Hinwil
During the development of its cars and in finding solutions to complex aerodynamic challenges, the BMW Sauber F1 Team relies upon high-tech tools and on the judgments made by its engineers and drivers during circuit tests. The Intel Technology-based supercomputer Albert3 enables precise simulations, whilst experiments undertaken in the team’s ultra-modern wind tunnel provide base research data. Should an innovation prove itself during testing, then it is likely to be deployed in race situations.
The model in the showroom display area of the headquarters is built to scale, but smaller than the size of the actual race cars.
Willem H. Toet, Head of Aerodynamics for the Sauber F1 Team gave us our tour of the facilities. We did not view the wind tunnel as the team was in Singapore for the weekend racing. However, he did explain the importance of the physics involved in Formula 1 racing. The aerodynamics are turned upside-down to adjust for the downforce, which doubles the weight of the car for tire grip. Since the overall performance of a Formula One car is dictated by its aerodynamic efficiency; more precisely the ratio between its downforce and drag, this is the most important aspect of testing in the wind tunnel and the simulations on Albert 3. Arriving at the best compromise between the two factors for each circuit is absolutely critical. The maxim is: the higher the downforce, the better the car’s road holding and the shorter its braking distances. The opposite applies in the case of flattened wings: high cornering speeds are sacrificed in favor of faster top speeds on long straights.
They build eight cars each season and rely on Albert 3 for the track simulations before each race. This Intel computer has 4224 processors and performs at 507 terra flops per second.
We we able to view the area where the cars are assembled as the engines are manufactured in Germany and the rest of the parts are produced on site and hand assembled for quality control. There were four separate working areas in a row that the technicians used for assembly of the different parts of the race car. They have their own micro turning machines to produce all the parts necessary for each car. The CFD mathematically shows the whole system evolved computationally. The advanced research department is developing the new kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for the 2009 racing season. There will be many rule changes involving the aerodynamics and body style that will complicate the workload for the 2009 racing season. Fuel compliance is checked every couple of months and the engines are tested once a year, but the engine design will not change for 2009, just the endurance. The following descriptions of the components will give you an idea of the details involved when designing a Formula One race car.
NOSE
The BMW Sauber F1.08 possesses a particularly slim nose, which harmonizes perfectly with the front wing, the chassis and the under body in order to optimize airflow. Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, says: "Individual components cannot be viewed in isolation, because it is crucial that they complement each other perfectly."
TOMCAT
The front of the car sets up the flow of air to the rear wing. Rampf explains: "The Tomcat acts as a deflector and provides improved airflow to the rear wing, which is then able to produce more downforce. On high downforce circuits that brings particular advantages. " In Canada and Spa-Francorchamps, where downforce is not as crucial as elsewhere, the BMW Sauber F1 Team competed without these spectacular innovations, which have been copied by other teams. The three-piece front wing provides massive downforce-generating surfaces, whilst the divisions between the three elements ensure the drag : downforce ratio is optimized.
LOWER WING SURFACES
The scooped lower ‘lip’ is the main of three elements making up the front wing of the BMW Sauber F1.08. The front wing consists of approximately 20 individual parts, all constructed from carbon fibre. The "mainplane" wing consists of the two lower elements, and is attached to the nose of the car by two pylons in order to transmit its generated downforce to the front axle of the car via the nose.
UPPER WING SURFACES
Even modifications made to the wing which are hardly visible to the naked eye can have a major effect on downforce. Thus the BMW Sauber F1 Team arrived in Magny-Cours with a slightly modified upper wing surface (also known as a ‘flap’). This raised the lower profile of the wing in the nose area. Special screws in the side endplates permit adjustment of the flap angle during pit stops in order to optimize aero balance on the circuit.
END WING PLATES
The main function of the endplates is to seal the sides of the wing in order to prevent air from spilling off the wing. In addition, they bind the wing elements together whilst directing airflow over the wheels in order to reduce the wind resistance offered by the wheels. Finally, the endplates direct cool air at the brakes.
2009 has new demands on engines even though they will not change their configuration.
The engines at the rear of the two BMW Sauber F1 Team cars will have to contest one race more in the coming season. The decision by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) means that the same engine must now be used for three race weekends in a row.
On the one hand, this change to the regulations is intended to reduce costs in Formula One. On the other hand, the FIA wants to challenge and promote technical reliability among the teams. The BMW Sauber F1 Team shone in this department in 2008, as Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica sailed through the season without a single withdrawal due to a technical fault.
The team from Munich and Hinwil is faced with the problem of integrating slicks into its race operation, whilst at the same time coping with the revisions to the engine regulations. Furthermore, the BMW Sauber F1 Team engineers must also grapple with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System KERS, which will make its debut in Formula One this coming season.
Albert3 lives on the ground floor of the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s wind tunnel building in Hinwil. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: ”Unlike other teams, we are not planning to build a second wind tunnel but will in future continue to focus on the steadily expanding possibilities in the area of simulation.“ The combination of tests and simulation has already proved itself in the past.
In a Formula One season full of surprises, the BMW Sauber F1 Team was a model of consistency. As if setting out to reinforce the popular stereotypes of German thoroughness and Swiss precision, the young team swept through 2008 without a single technical retirement and notched up by far the most race laps and fastest pit stops of any team.
The BMW Sauber F1.08 racers were not only reliable, they also proved their mettle in performance terms. The highlights of the season were the one-two finish in Canada when Robert Kubica took the chequered flag ahead of team-mate Nick Heidfeld a year after crashing heavily at the Montreal track, Robert's pole position in Bahrain and two fastest race laps courtesy of Nick (Malaysia and Germany). Together, the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers collected eleven podium trophies in what was the team's third season on the grid – up from two in 2007.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen gave a positive verdict on the season: "We are proud of our successful season and we have once again achieved our exacting goals. We set out to turn the two-horse race at the top of the standings into a three-way battle and to record our first victory. We reached this target much earlier than expected and even managed to do so with a one-two finish."
BMW Sauber F1.08, Monza, September 2008.
Willy Rampf: ”Monza is the only genuine high-speed circuit left in the calendar. We therefore used a low downforce aero package which was deployed exclusively at this venue. The main focus is on reduction of the drag. We accepted a thirty-percent loss of downforce compared with Monaco and used a completely different front wing with only two elements. While the Tomcat wings were omitted, there were two additional wings on the monocoque, known internally as Manta Rays, which conducted the air flow optimally over the engine cover and hence improved the effect of the rear wing. The side wings on the engine covers were omitted for reasons of drag. The rear wing was very different from the other versions which were used in the course of the season. It had a strikingly small main element and a much bigger flap with serrated Gurney. The synchronizer retainer plates with a clearly defined cut-out were striking. They ensured a stable air flow when cornering.“
For continuing information visit the interactive website. You can experience the wind tunnel and the simulations while keeping up the the team.
http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html#/homepage/
Have a closer look at the Intel supercomputer in the gallery at:
http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html#/interactive/albert/~2
Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
Presentations of MEMS projects at the CMI Center of MicroNano Technology
At the forefront of education and technological research, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) is well known outside the borders of Switzerland. EPFL's mission is centered around three areas: education, research, and technology transfer to industry while maintaining an atmosphere of international collaboration. The CMI is present in the microtechnology coordination board with the joint participation of the University of Neuchatel (UNINE), the Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechniques (CSEM) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
Thus representatives of UNINE and CSEM participate in the scientific council of CMI. Taking advantage of the many international contacts that EPFL has, the CMI has established links with other European and American centers to exchange information and experiences in the domain of microtechnology.
Product miniaturization and development of sound manufacturing processes are major goals of microtechnology research. The availability of a clean room is mandatory for the implementation of the above tasks. Presently, researchers in physics, chemistry, electronics and materials science at EPFL are interested in performing their experimental work in such an environment.
Thus, the research at CMI follows the main points described below:
Fundamental research: micro- and nano-structures for research in physics. Micro-electrodes for chemistry and biology. Microstructures for the characterization of new materials
Manufacturing processes: new manufacturing processes in silicon and other materials. Integration and encapsulation techniques for microsystems. New processes for microelectronics. Silicon post-processing. Components and microsystems: multidisciplinary research on new microsystems. The clean room is managed by a staff of specialists, open to all users and equipped with modern and powerful processing machines.
The operation of CMI is the responsibility of the staff. The staff is a team of engineers and technicians, specialists in microtechnologies who guarantee the availability of processing equipment, evaluate, install and operate processing equipment, train the users, develop new processing steps and improve the existing ones, and assist researchers with technical advice. The users of CMI are undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers. The core activities of CMI are laboratory experimentation and development of processes and techniques of interest to EPFL and to its partners. The user's access to the clean room is prioritized in the following order: educational activities, internal research,
partnership research with other academic institutions.
All research activity in the clean room is invoiced on the basis of hourly processing rate. However, all educational tasks are free of charge. Integration services may be carried out occasionally by the CMI staff according to the availability of its personnel.
A PDF file of current projects and videos are available for download at:
http://cmi.epfl.ch/organisation/project.php
Scanlight Imaging – MEMS technology transfer to EPFL Start-ups
canlight Imaging is a MEMS semi-fabless company focused on developing micro-mirrors and micro-projectors based on innovative and patented technology.
They provide customers with unique expertise from design and fabrication of reliable MEMS micro-mirrors, to technology transfer for production. Scanlight addresses medium-to-large companies, giving them the opportunity to access this promising technology by externally sub-contracting their research and development.
They propose: stand-alone micro-mirrors and the development of miniaturized video projectors.
For more information visit: http://www.scanlightimaging.com/
SENSIMED AG - MEMS technology transfer to EPFL Start-ups
SENSIMED AG is an emerging medical device company with its principal focus on the design, development, and commercialization of integrated micro-systems for medical diagnosis and treatment monitoring in the area of ophthalmology.
The company was established in late 2003 as a spin-out from EPFL in Lausanne and is located at the PSE, a technological park which hosts corporate labs in close proximity with the EPFL-UNIL campus.
The core development product is a first-in-its-category, non-invasive system for 24-hour continuous intra-ocular pressure monitoring in Glaucoma patients, regardless of their position and activities. At the core of the system is a soft disposable contact lens with a MEMS sensor embedded - Contact Lens Sensor (CLS).
For the CLS they developed a novel integrated circuit chip, with wireless capture of power that transfers continuous high-resolution information to a recording module. They are now able to offer Telemetry solutions for applications where small wireless sensors that do not require a battery, can be used for implantable medical devices.
For more information visit the website at: http://www.sensimed.ch/
LC Ceramics Laboratory at EPFL
Teaching and research at the Ceramics Laboratory are centered on the science and technology of functional ceramics. In the focus are piezoelectric and related materials: ferroelectrics, dielectrics, pyroelectrics. Other classes of electroceramics, such as conductive and semi-conductive ceramics are studied too.
The work includes fundamental and applied research and covers the various scales from the level of crystal structures to that of the final devices.
Key competences in the lab are in the following areas: Structural and functional analysis of electroceramics (experimental research in properties, modeling, and theory), processing of thin and thick ceramic films and bulk ceramics, micro- and nano-fabrication technology with ceramics, and fabrication of bulk and MEMS electroceramic components.
For more information visit: http://lc.epfl.ch/
IMT – Institute of Microtechnology (Neuchatel University) Neuchatel
SAMLAB, standing for the Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Laboratory, is part of the Institute of Microtechnology (IMT) of the University of Neuchâtel. SAMLAB is located on the premises of the technological center at Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, together with the "Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechique SA" (CSEM), as well as the newly established incubator NEODE.
SAMLAB has well-established expertise in micro- and nanotechnology. Multi-disciplinary research activities have encompassed many diverse applications from the life sciences to telecommunications. Microfabricated probes for atomic force and near field optical microscopy, micromechanical devices for optical fibre networks, discrete microsensors and miniaturized chemical analysis systems for environmental and clinical analyses, and micro-instrumentation for space research are examples of SAMLAB current research activities.
The Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Laboratory was created in 1982 by professor Nico F. de Rooij. Since then, SAMLAB has increased in size and has reached a staff of about 50 persons, including 15 PhD students.
SAMLAB is funded by the University of Neuchâtel, the EPFL, the Commission of Technology and Innovation (KTI/CTI), the Swiss Federal Office for Education and Science, the Swiss National Science Foundation and the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR).
The collaboration of SAMLAB with Swiss and foreign industrial partners has resulted in a variety of new products, successfully introduced into the market. SAMLAB has published over 400 papers and patents in the field of microsensors, microactuators and microsystems. It has largely contributed to develop innovative microfabrication processes such as electrochemical etch stop, surface micromachining and deep dry etching.
For more information visit: http://www-samlab.unine.ch/home.htm
CSEM – Swiss Center for Electronics and Micro technology, Neuchatel
CSEM, the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, Inc., is a privately held research and development company active in:
Applied Research
Product Development
Prototype and Low-volume Production
Technology Consulting
Its main fields of activity are micro- and nanotechnologies, microelectronics, systems engineering, microrobotics, photonics, information and communication technologies.
In providing its high-tech know-how and technological expertise, CSEM strives to anticipate the future needs of different markets in terms of new technologies and offers its services to industrial customers. It also develops its own commercial activities – either together with existing companies or through the creation of spin-offs and start-up companies – and actively contributes to developing Switzerland as a high-tech industrial location.
In July 2007, a major of the Neuchâtel Observatory was integrated into CSEM to continue to develop space-related technologies. CSEM microsystems and miniaturization competences will be a clear advantage in terms of new developments in this area.
Furthermore, CSEM opened new research centers in Landquart aimed at developing new technologies and competences in nanomedicine, and in Basel specialized in polymers optics and optical microsystems.
CSEM operates from its headquarters in Neuchatel and also has centers in Zurich, in Basel, in Landquart and at Alpnach, near Lucerne. It is also internationally active, in many European countries as well as overseas. CSEM is pursuing its geographical expansion strategy on a national as well as an international level. This growth offers medium- and long-term stability, essential in an R&D environment.
2007 was a year of success for the CSEM's human resources: Thanks to its exemplary equal salary policy, CSEM obtains the "Equal Salary" label that certifies the respect of equal compensation for men and women .
At the end of 2007, the total number of employees at CSEM was 348 of which 26 were Ph.D candidates. Additionally, approximately 500 people are employed by the 26 spin-offs and start-ups created to date. These companies have directly generated over 500 highly qualified positions, and attracted over 170 million CHF venture capital investment for an annual turnover in 2006 of over 100 million CHF.
For more information visit: http://www.csem.ch
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ETHZ
Zurich Researchers' Night - 26 September 2008
For the second time the Researchers' Night was successfully carried out in Zurich on Friday, 26 September 2008.
An influx of approximately 15'000 visitors rushed to Bellevue and Zurichhorn for an update on the current state of science and an intimate discussion with the researchers. For seven hours more than 500 scientists presented, explained, responded. We were able to visit with the researchers that prepared demonstrations of their current projects.
One group from a robotics laboratory were building a lunar rover (middle) for competition and almost had it working. However, the space rover (right) with 6 wheels climbed the stairs and performed with ease.
Booming were also the four shuttle boats, which commuted between Bellevue and Zurichhorn every 10 minutes while aboard scientists talked about their daily life. In Switzerland you just never know where a scientist will pop-up and start talking.
Resources:
Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion
Caroline Blaser, John Williamson
633 Third Avenue, 30th floor, New York, NY 10017-6706
Phone: 212-599-5700, ext. 1034; Fax 212-599-4270
The LOCATION Switzerland Team in Washington DC and New York serves as a one-stop-shop for American companies seeking assistance for their expansion to Switzerland and Europe, and as a point of contact to the different Swiss regions.
OSEC-Business Network Switzerland
Osec helps companies from Switzerland and Liechtenstein to develop and expand their activities abroad. This acts as a powerful impetus to foreign trade. As a result of a decision taken by the Swiss parliament on 1st January 2008, Osec is to become the umbrella organisation for the promotion of exports, imports and investments, as well as for the promotion of Switzerland as a business location, making it "The home of foreign trade promotion". The year 2008 also marks a change of image for Osec, both in Switzerland and abroad. The intention is adopt a more coordinated approach in tandem with other promotional agencies active at a federal level when promoting Switzerland abroad as a potential business location.
Supported by:
Swiss World
Your Gateway to Switzerland
Switzerland's Work Place and Think Tank
The Swiss Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Industries
Development Economic Western Switzerland - DEWS
(Jura, Neuchatel, Vaud, Valais)
Jura Economique Promotion
Philippe Marmy
Solothurn Economic Development
Karl Brander PhD, Promotion Manager
Greater Zurich Area
Claudia Magri
Marc Neumann
Berne Economic Development
Geneva Economic Development
Daniel Loeffler
Jean Michel Garnier
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