Author name: Matteo

Non classé

New CLA, compensation, training and the attractiveness of the sector, … An exclusive interview with Ludovic Voillat, Secretary General of the Employers’ Convention of the Swiss Watch Industry

New CLA, compensation, training and the attractiveness of the sector, … An exclusive interview with Ludovic Voillat, Secretary General of the Employers’ Convention of the Swiss Watch Industry Veröffentlicht am décembre 11, 2024 The new collective agreement for the watchmaking and microtechnology industries – which took effect a few months ago and is set to run until 2029 – covers 500 companies and nearly 55,000 employees, or 85% of workers in the watchmaking sector. Could you tell us more about the main new features in this collective agreement and what the key takeaways are ? After a year of talks, the new version of our collective agreement took effect this summer. Improvements for employees include: An increase in parental leave: 3 weeks for paternity leave and 19 weeks for maternity leave. An increase in the employer contribution to health insurance premiums, which now stands at CHF 195. Significant progress was also made for employers, including a reduction in the coverage period in the event of illness following dismissal, thus enabling greater flexibility in workforce management. Philippe Bauer, CPIH President and Ludovic Voillat, CPIH general secretary when the CLA was signed Do you consider this to be a genuinely balanced compromise between ensuring social progress while enabling businesses to remain competitive? Negotiations always bring their share of frustrations, on both sides. We are fortunate to live in a country where consensus is valued and where dialogue between the social partners remains possible. Although discussions can sometimes be heated, they often result in improvements. However, it is important to recognise that we have reached a certain ceiling in terms of major social advances, such as reducing working time, for example. In addition, it is becoming critically important to ensure companies are able to remain flexible since they already have to deal with numerous legal obligations and the particularly heavy administrative burden that these obligations entail. Are there any issues that have not been resolved with the unions and that are still under discussion? Of course, some issues remain under discussion. This is perfectly normal when it comes to social dialogue. Negotiations between the social partners are an ongoing process which evolves over time and with the challenges facing the sector. However, since the talks are confidential and we wish to maintain a climate of trust with our partners, we do not usually make public statements on these points until they have been resolved. Our aim remains to achieve balanced solutions that are in the interests of both the employees and the employers. Despite the uncertain economy, you have confirmed that employers will provide their employees with full compensation for cost of living increases. Concretely, what will this mean for employees in the sector? Discussions on the cost of living allowance taking effect on 1 January 2025 took place this fall between the UNIA union and representatives of watchmaking and microtechnology companies. The companies mainly focused on the economic outlook for the coming year and the inability to predict how it will develop. Despite concerns about current and future economic challenges, the companies decided to provide full compensation for rising prices (CHF 65) as of 1 January  2025, thus showing their commitment to supporting their employees in the face of inflation and the rising cost of living. According to your information, do the watchmaking and microtechnology professions still attract as many young Swiss people? Yes, these professions continue to attract young people. However, promoting our professions remains a key issue for the industry. As in other sectors, we must redouble our efforts to promote them, because young people’s interest is increasingly directed towards areas such as commerce, health, social work and IT, to the detriment of more manual professions. Has the new Federal Certificate for Workshop Managers in the Watchmaking Sector been a success? Who is it primarily aimed at? It’s still a little early to talk about success, since this new training only began this summer in two French-speaking schools: CEFF in St-Imier and the Ifage in Geneva. A German-language session is also set to start in Granges in 2025. This federal certificate was designed at the request of companies, with content specially geared to the specific needs and characteristics of the industry. It is aimed primarily at experienced employees wishing to progress towards workshop management or coordination roles in the sector. Are there still job offers that are not being filled for certain watchmaking professions, with very rare and highly sought-after profiles? In the current economy, businesses tend to be more focused on other priorities. However, highly specialised profiles clearly still attract strong interest from employers. What are the next major challenges for the Employers’ Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry? The challenges are numerous given the many missions for which our umbrella organisation is responsible. First of all, we must continue defending the interests of the sector by guaranteeing optimal conditions, while preserving peaceful industrial relations and a constructive dialogue with our social partners. We must support our companies by offering them modern and suitable tools to help them address the many challenges they face, particularly in terms of the physical and mental health of employees. Another major challenge is to continue developing training by adapting it to the changing needs of the sector in order to guarantee the excellence and competitiveness of our sector. Finally, we must make our professions more attractive to young people by modernising their image and promoting the opportunities they offer. Interview by Stephan Post, Dynamics Group News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 20 mars 2025 WatchDec, la haute précision au service du MedTech 20 mars 2025 PRECITRAME – Une micromachine flexible pour les petites séries de pièces miniatures 20 mars 2025 Un pôle MedTech en pleine expansion au cœur du salon EPHJ Show all the news Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube

Non classé

Innovation: Three projects nominated as finalists in the Watch Medtech Challenge

Innovation: Three projects nominated as finalists in the Watch Medtech Challenge Published on the décembre 8, 2024 What do SurFunction, Synova and Altair/GelSight have in common ? Well, not only do all three have a key role to play in the medical technology of tomorrow but they have just been nominated as finalists in the 2024 Watch Medtech Innovation Challenge. Launched in 2018 by EPHJ and Fondation Inartis, this competition of ideas, which is open to all of the show’s exhibitors, aims to identify technologies from watchmaking subcontractors so that they can be incorporated into medtech solutions. The aim? To help the winners open up new markets and understand what they need to do to achieve this. Surfunction GmbH The first technology, developed by German company SurFunction GmbH, enables fast and precise use of direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) technology. This technology, patented under the name ELIPSYS®, produces functional surface structures. It could be used to improve cell adhesion in implants, as the literature on human fibroblasts and osteoblasts has demonstrated that not only the adhesion but also the orientation of cells on various polymers can be precisely controlled using DLIP. DLIP thus opens up new possibilities in terms of tissue regeneration and the design of biocompatible surfaces, for example by replacing costly processing methods (blasting, cleaning and etching) for preparing dental implant surfaces. Altaïr Consulting SA The second project, from Altair Consulting SA, based in Plan-les-Ouates (Switzerland), draws on 3D scanning. Using the GelSight 3D digital scanner, the company can model surfaces and capture shapes in real time. Already deployed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), American forensics teams and cutting-edge industries such as ballistics and watchmaking, this technology could be used to collect precise information on 3D surfaces to feed back into models for haptic medical technologies. This could make it possible to improve the functionality of certain finger prostheses, for example. Synova Drawing on water-jet guided laser cutting technology, the third project comes from Synova, based in Vaud (Switzerland). The Laser MicroJet (LMJ) is a hybrid method of machining which combines a laser with a ‘hair-thin’ water jet that precisely guides the laser beam by means of total internal reflection in a manner similar to conventional optical fibres. The water jet continually cools the cutting zone and efficiently removes debris. As a ‘cold, clean and controlled laser’, Synova’s LMJ technology resolves the significant problems associated with dry lasers such as thermal damage, contamination, deformation, debris deposition, oxidation, micro-cracks and taper. The application of LMJ to stent cutting would yield high-quality products in many alloys including CoCr, NiTi, Cr–Pt, stainless steel and magnesium alloys. Every year since 2018, between three and five diversification projects have been designed and tested by Fondation Inartis in partnership with the show’s exhibitors. This is an outstanding opportunity for watchmaking subcontractors to be challenged, reduce their work burden a little and perhaps line up some new commercial opportunities. Juliette Lemaignen, Fondation Inartis Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all news

Non classé

Injector – micro-injection taken to extremes 

Injector – micro-injection taken to extremes  Published on the décembre 8, 2024 When it comes to micro-injection, Injector’s expertise puts this SME, with just under 15 employees, head and shoulders above the rest. That expertise is underpinned by an incredible mastery of its tools.  “Making a part injectable that originally wasn’t” is how Michel Hoff, the man responsible for business development at the company, sums up the process. Hoff is passionate and inspiring, and his enthusiasm is contagious. His words exude both in-depth technical knowledge and a desire to share. The remarkable rehaut of a famous watch The firm’s high-end creations include this rehaut (flange), available in multiple shades. With its ultra-lightness, solidity and reliability, it represents the holy grail for one of today’s most sought-after watch brands. The brief for the watch – the first women’s sports watch with a record-low weight of 36 grams – was so draconian that it ruled out any use of machinable materials. Only micro-injection could meet the customer’s demanding expectations. The result ? The firm has pulled off the seemingly impossible with an amazing tour de force: as well as mastering the technology and constraints of micro-injection and of tool design, it had to invent a ‘mould’ capable of injecting from six injection points distributed at different locations around the edge of the part. And not only that but at a pressure of up to 1,500 bars, using presses with a closing force of 35 tonnes! This feat of miniaturisation avoids a number of pitfalls, linked to the variable nature of the pigments used for each shade required, as well as the aesthetic complexity of the component. A key part for absorbing play between the middle and the dial, the rehaut has to be completely flat, and its rigidity is vital for subsequent manual operations. Finishing touches by the human hand But at the end of the process, human dexterity makes the final tweaks, erasing any flow lines, shrinkage or burrs, and it is the human hand that takes care of the SLN filling and fine pad printing. It is also important to remember that, initially, the injection took place around micro-feet, thanks to a mould that specifically incorporated them. Words cannot describe and the human eye struggles to make out the rehaut’s subtle detailing, so let us turn back for a moment to Michel Hoff and find out about the latest developments with itr2®, Injector’s innovative material involving workpieces filled with carbon or glass fibre nanoparticles. This material can be machined, and indeed the company has a dedicated machining and finishing unit in-house. Innovation: itr2®-Metal bonding agent Unveiled at EPHJ 2024, this new product is the result of 24 months of R&D! The chemical bonding solution between itr2® and metal will revolutionise this field, which until now has relied solely on mechanical bonding solutions to bond a composite resin to a metal. Special shapes had to be created in the metal inserts to allow the composite resin to infiltrate, creating a bond between the resin and the metal. The new solution is totally transparent and leaves no visual traces on the metal surface. The result is a two-component, one-piece material suitable for machining, bead-blasting, satin-finishing or mirror-polishing. The invisible bond perfectly reveals the surface and shapes of the metal. Just the thing to get creative juices flowing! Ten years on from the launch of itr2®, its evolving concept for developing composite materials that are innovative, functional and aesthetically pleasing, Injector continues to set new standards. www.injector.ch by Joël A. Grandjean / JSH News 1876 Discover injector Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all news

Non classé

Plan your visit !

Plan your visit ! Veröffentlicht am décembre 8, 2024 Dear exhibitors and visitors, Are you looking for affordable and convenient accommodation for your participation in EPHJ 2025 ? We’ve selected a few partner hotels located right next to Palexpo, offering exclusive rates negotiated just for you ! Mövenpick, 4* Hotel: Enjoy a free shuttle service for easy access to Palexpo (a 4-minute ride). Adina, 4* Hotel: A new property, ideally located, featuring fully equipped kitchenettes. IntercityHotel, 4*: Modern and newly opened to offer you maximum comfort. B&B, 3* Hotel: Excellent value for money, just steps away from Palexpo. The Adina, IntercityHotel, and B&B are located in the same building. A direct bus takes you to the airport, which is just a 6-minute walk from Palexpo. Don’t miss out on these special offers—book now (limited availability) ! Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 20 mars 2025 WatchDec, la haute précision au service du MedTech 20 mars 2025 PRECITRAME – Une micromachine flexible pour les petites séries de pièces miniatures 20 mars 2025 Un pôle MedTech en pleine expansion au cœur du salon EPHJ Show all the news

Non classé

All the best and more for 2025 !

All the best and more for 2025 ! Published on the décembre 8, 2024  The year 2024 draws to a close for all of us with a sense of accomplishment at the end of a year in which the economic situation was not necessarily very easy for all the players in the EPHJ community. The slowdown in the watch market and tensions with the European Union have imposed on everyone the paradoxical need to be cautious yet daring. In particular, this boldness involves the formidable capacity for innovation that pushes back the limits of excellence in most of you. The EPHJ 2024 Innovation Digest is the best proof of this. Boldness also means showing your face, consolidating your links with your professional contacts and opening up to other areas of prospecting. This is one of the raisons d’être of your EPHJ show, which brings together 750 companies and 23,000 trade visitors in one of Europe’s largest exhibition centres. More than ever, we need to shake off the gloom and attract the attention of a market that will bounce back, as it always has. In the meantime, the entire EPHJ team thanks you for your confidence and wishes you, exhibitors and visitors alike, the warmest of wishes for 2025! Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all news

Non classé

Brodbeck Guillochage moves to Fleurier

Brodbeck Guillochage moves to Fleurier Published on the octobre 30, 2024 Prix Gaïa (Gaïa Prize) winner and renowned master guillocheur Georges Brodbeck has set up his know-how and heritage machinery in the former watchmaking school in Fleurier, founded in 1896. Independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen will be taking Brodbeck’s name and reputation forward as his expertise and values are passed on to the next generation. When the time came for him to retire, Georges Brodbeck could have given into any number of tempting offers. Its mythical machines and “manufacturing secrets” have returned to the Val de Travers and this former watchmaking school, which couldn’t have dreamed of a better rehabilitation. The building speaks volumes, having in its own way shaped the human landscape of Swiss watchmaking. Centre of excellence in the Val de Travers This venerable piece of architecture is now home to Brodbeck Guillochage, following the official inauguration on 26 September 2024. New managing director Angélique Singele and distinguished watchmaker Kari Voutilainen – the man hand-picked by Brodbeck to take the business forward – cut the ribbon at a ceremony attended by Cantonal Councillor Frédéric Mairy and representatives of the municipal authorities, among other guests. A smooth handover “Like a metal alchemist, the ‘guillocheur’ breathes life into an infinite array of refined, elegant and timeless decorations that shimmer beautifully in the light.” The move has seen Brodbeck, the most renowned master guillocheur (engine-turner) in the world of high-end watchmaking, leave his former base in Saignelégier. Having recently won the Creation – Craftsmanship category of the Prix Gaïa (dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize in Watchmaking’), awarded by the Musée International d’Horlogerie (International Watchmaking Museum) in La Chaux-de-Fonds since 1992, Brodbeck is handing over the baton in style. After all, in the business world – and SMEs are no exception here – the issue of succession when someone retires often gives rise to much concern about the loss of knowledge and expertise that are hard to pass on. This applies particularly to skills based on human dexterity and experience, as well as the captivating know-how that tempts some groups to aim for exclusivity, whetting their envy for vertical integration. Hand guillochage radiating timeless finesse and elegance “This age-old know-how dating back to the 15th century fascinates and inspires the artisans of tomorrow. Elevated to an ‘artistic trade’, it permeates every era.” Guillochage (engine-turning) is a demanding art that requires particular sensitivity, dexterity, high levels of concentration and precision as well as an innate sense of aesthetics. To bring each idea to life, guillocheurs use traditional machinery from another age: straight-line machines for linear decorations and broken lines, rose engine lathes for circular and concentric patterns, and very rare ‘tapestry’ machines. Guillocheurs work with top-quality materials such as gold, platinum, silver and mother-of-pearl. One of the crucial initial steps involves meticulously adjusting the machine to set up the pattern. Finally, with skill, consistency and patience, they guide the graver, controlling the pressure and speed to create intricate symmetrical patterns, making use of varying shapes, spacing and intertwining. Joël A. Grandjean Discover Brodbeck Guillochage Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all the news

Non classé

A smooth transition at MPS Micro Precision Systems

A smooth transition at MPS Micro Precision Systems Published on the octobre 30, 2024 Retiring at the end of 2024? This is a concept many thought would be alien to CEO Nicola Thibaudeau, who has been a constant force and presence in the sector for over 20 years. We also spoke to Gilles Robert, who is preparing to succeed Nicola as CEO. We talked about their memories, plans for the future and how they’re keeping busy at this key point in the company’s life.  Nicola Thibaudeau (NT), how many employees did MPS have when you took over? And how many does it have today? When I joined MPS in 2003, there were 95 employees in Bienne and 35 in Bonfol, so 130 in total. There are now 560 of us spread between sites in Bienne, Bonfol, Court, Glovelier, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Boston. Gilles Robert (GR), will this growth continue? MPS is a company focused on innovation and growth, which are primarily generated by our employees. So it’s clear that I want to continue on this trajectory. Before entering the world of MPS, what did you know about the company and its history? NT: I had a friend who worked there who was passionate about ball bearings! As owner of Mécanex in Nyon, I bought micromotors from MPS, or rather RMB as it was known at the time. When I joined MPS on 1 December 2003, I knew that the company had undergone major restructuring, that the expertise was still there despite several hundred employees being made redundant in the preceding years. Then I learnt about RMB’s incredible history, from its invention of the watch bearing to the development of bearings for the Apollo mission that sent the first man to the moon, as well as bearings for pushchairs and roller skates – truly amazing! GR: I was of course familiar with MPS before I arrived, mainly through the projects of our Microsystems division, which is involved in things like artificial hearts, implantable pumps and fibre positioners for telescopes. Then I discovered the company’s extraordinary historical expertise in bearings for watches, with a strong focus on materials, which I liked! I’ve always been impressed by the range and inventiveness of the projects, and after two months with the company, it’s even better than I thought! Ms Thibaudeau, would you say that coming from a field other than watchmaking into a company with a strong and distinctive core business was an asset for growing a business, or was it a disadvantage? NT: My experience was varied but always in microtechnology, since I had worked on high-performance printed circuit boards for nearly a decade, at IBM in Canada and at Cicorel, then spent nine years in the space sector at Mécanex. In my two previous roles, at Mécanex and Cicorel, I worked on major watchmaking projects. Wide-ranging professional experience in multiple fields allows for synergies and positive contributions. As for you, Mr Robert, is coming from a familiar environment where everyone knows everyone else an asset or a disadvantage? Are you a few steps ahead, or do you run the risk of not daring to think outside the box? GR: Having points of reference before you join a company is certainly an advantage, given the complexity of the products involved. These references are much more likely in a very specific business model adopted by a number of companies in our field: the production of complex and demanding components and systems for a wide range of markets and applications, using and developing the exceptional skills we possess. I’m sure that this position of openness to a variety of markets and technologies means that we can ultimately serve each of our customers to the best of our ability, because they benefit from the very best experience and know-how. Are your previous roles at Ceramaret, Metallor and Sulzer an asset? GR: One of MPS’ major strengths is all its staff and expertise. For me, it’s a question of perpetuating this culture and nurturing it further so as to remain at the cutting edge of technology. When an organisation can essentially rise to virtually all the challenges posed by micromechanical applications, choosing the right projects to roll out and the right markets to develop is also a challenge in itself. In my career, I’ve been lucky enough to work in a wide range of fields and technologies, always in top international firms. Over time, I think I’ve also come to understand a little of what makes the ‘Swiss genius’ that allows so many of our companies to serve elite customers around the world. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to uncovering new aspects of these matters at MPS and continuing to evolve. What major advances have you made in materials? NT: The lubrication-free bearing patented in 2004 that uses ceramic balls and now the Super-Myrox, a totally non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant, high-performance bearing.   In your previous roles, materials were of paramount importance. What research is currently underway at MPS? GR: New materials are currently one of the pillars of any advanced system. MPS stands out not only for its performance when it comes to design, but also for its ability to effectively mass-produce the systems it develops. As such, mastering the manufacture of advanced materials is vital, and we have a number of developments underway involving rather ‘exotic’ materials as well as innovative processes that we are keeping as a surprise for our customers. I’m looking forward to contributing some of my experience. Are there, or have there been, any limits to your controlled expansion, like the job market or additional energy costs, for instance? NT: There’s no limit! GR: Highly specialised skills, both in terms of the workforce and the organisation, are necessary for success in our markets. As these skills take time to develop and master, this is probably the real limit to any long-term growth. So you need to work with people who already have specialist skills but who will also be able to interact effectively with

Non classé

Générale Ressorts installs new heat treatment furnaces

Générale Ressorts installs new heat treatment furnaces Published on the octobre 30, 2024 For 150 years, Générale Ressorts has been a leader in barrel spring manufacturing in Switzerland and beyond. Based in the Swiss city of Biel/Bienne, this Acrotec Group company has just announced the completion of the full refurbishment of its heat treatment facility, along with the installation of two new state-of-the-art furnaces. Heat treatment is a crucial phase in the manufacturing of barrel springs (mainsprings), with extra-high precision being needed to ensure the quality and performance of the end products. With its new equipment, Générale Ressorts can now further improve the quality of its springs while boosting productivity. The new furnaces are fitted with the latest automation technologies, which not only optimise the production process but also have benefits in terms of operator safety and ergonomics. These advances enable Générale Ressorts to manufacture high-precision products while improving its ability to meet the growing demands of its customers. Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all the news

Non classé

The AI and DM Act: a global approach based on risk management

The AI and DM Act: a global approach based on risk management Published on the octobre 30, 2024 The latest edition of EPHJ featured a round table dedicated to the impact of AI on health and medical devices. This round table was organised by the EPHJ teams in partnership with Inartis. For this special report, DeviceMed magazine sought the opinion of a legal expert in artificial intelligence in healthcare. Here, Mr Luysterborg (Deloitte) describes the implications of the new European AI law for medical devices and the main and the main difficulties it raises for manufacturers. Preview the article Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all the news

Non classé

In nanomachining, less is more

In nanomachining, less is more Published on the octobre 30, 2024 Showcasing precision watchmaking, the EPHJ trade fair welcomes a panoply of supremely talented subcontractors. Among them is Vuichard SAS, a firm from the Haute-Savoie region close to the Franco-Swiss border. It will be an exhibitor at EPHJ once again in 2025, drawing on expertise gleaned from almost 60 years’ experience in extra-high-precision machining to present some real feats of nanomachining. Visitors will be able to examine samples under a high-power magnifying glass, all produced using one-of-a-kind techniques. The company’s beginnings lie in die-sinking electro-discharge machining (EDM) and wire cutting, as illustrated by its fleet of 10 or so micro-erosion machines, using wire with a minimum diameter of 0.03 mm. Holes can be micro-drilled to diameters as small as 0.025 mm in the die-sinking discharge machining workshop. In 5-axis micro-milling, its Matsuura machining centre – with a 60,000-rpm spindle, 0.1-μm travel and cutters that are at least 0.04 mm in diameter – produces work of unrivalled finesse in steel with a hardness of up to 65 HRC. Micromachining makes up another element of this expertise. The relevant technologies have contributed to the creation of an outstanding watch, bringing together micro-erosion machines and machining of silicon crystal. As specialists in the seemingly impossible, ceramic parts manufacturer HARDEX and French subcontractor Vuichard rose to the challenges set by the designer. The products of other challenges recently taken on by Vuichard SAS will be on display at its stand in 2025. Like the company itself, here we have a modestly-sized space which will be showcasing some big innovations on a very small scale! Thanks to the precision of the Matsuura LX-O 5-axis machining centre, precision electrode production allows for die-sinking operations of a quality that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. Michel Pech Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube News 25 avril 2025 Emissa dévoile le Precimill, un centre d'usinage compact et performant 25 mars 2025 Medtech – a rapidly expanding part of the EPHJ Show 20 mars 2025 CMT RICKENBACH – Photochemisches Ätzen: ein subtiles Verfahren für flache Bauteile 20 mars 2025 WatchDec – die Hochpräzision im Dienst der Medizintechnik Show all the news Share this article Facebook Twitter Youtube