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Precision, performance, durability: Horatec Group on the up in aerospace and defence Published on 21 April 2026 Established in September 2025, Horatec Group brings together three Swiss companies with complementary industrial expertise in surface treatment, complex metal machining and high-precision micromechanics. Two of them, Steiger Galvanotechnique SA and Titanium Engineering SA, deploy cutting-edge expertise for the aerospace and defence sectors, where technical requirements and reliability are paramount. Stephan Müller (CFO) and Olivier Piotrowski (CEO) Demanding surface treatments for the aerospace industry Steiger Galvanotechnique, based in Châtel-Saint-Denis (canton of Fribourg), has for a number of years been developing advanced surface treatment processes for aluminium, nickel and special alloys, specifically adapted to the extreme demands of the aerospace industry. In the space sector, Steiger works in particular on on-board aluminium components, often for satellites, applying low-emissivity treatments. This type of finish helps to control thermal radiation in the vacuum of space, which is essential for the reliability of on-board electronic and optical components. The company also specialises in SurTec 650 treatments, an extremely delicate chemical process that optimises interlayer adhesion, enhances corrosion resistance and ensures excellent compatibility with technical paint. For applications exposed to UV radiation (e.g. in space), Steiger also offers pigmented anodising processes using inorganic metal oxides, which are more stable over time. As regards engineering alloys, Steiger processes complex parts made of nickel, silver and nickel/Teflon for the aviation industry, with a focus on reducing friction, preventing adhesion and enhancing durability. All treatments are carried out with a high level of traceability and reproducibility, which is vital for critical components. Titanium, a natural ally for on-board performance Titanium Engineering has a clear specialisation: the production of titanium parts and surface treatments on titanium, a strategic material for aerospace and defence applications. Based in Yverdon-les-Bains (canton of Vaud), the company transforms and processes titanium in all its forms, from precision machining to advanced electrochemical treatments (polishing, passivation, anodising). Titanium is renowned for its excellent weight-to-strength ratio, its resistance to extreme environments and its compatibility with the thermal and mechanical stresses faced by on-board materials. With its expertise in treating surfaces with very low roughness, Titanium Engineering caters to both structural component manufacturers and manufacturers of sensitive components subject to machining, biocompatibility or conductivity constraints. A shared ambition geared towards technical excellence Driven by a strong industrial vision and supported by the investment fund Fonds GEI, Horatec Group intends to bolster its presence in high-tech sectors. Its strategy is based on complementary expertise, proximity to Swiss and European clients, and flexible processing capabilities suited to both prototypes and small to medium-sized production runs. With Steiger and Titanium Engineering, Horatec is carving out a reputation for itself as a credible and committed partner for future-critical applications, with a customer base that includes some of the leading names in aerospace and defence. Meet Horatec during EPHJ on booth J89

Silver solution spraying – from watchmaking to defence Published on 21 April 2026 Altair Metalizz creates watchmaking components using additive manufacturing as well as spray solutions for finishing. These solutions are also used for electromagnetic shielding of composite covers for the defence industry. Established in 1998, Altair Consulting was a pioneer in additive manufacturing. This meant it could offer watchmakers and jewellers innovative technology for design and tooling, helping them to bring new collections into production. Now headed by Émeric Lignier, the company has expanded its areas of expertise, thanks in particular to a partnership with Metalizz in 2018 and the subsequent acquisition of its brand and patents in 2024. These include three flagship products: Uscleaner, an ultrasound surface cleaning and decontamination solution, and two spraying processes for aesthetic purposes but also used for electromagnetic shielding (EMC) with a silver-based solution. Altair Consulting is responsible for sales and related services, while Eidos Coating, led by Metalizz’s founder Philippe Sapet, handles R&D on a partnership basis. “We thought the technology developed by Metalizz would be ideal for adding aesthetic finishes to watchmaking projects,” explains Lignier. “We’re increasingly focusing on electronics and medical technology. EMC shielding and biocompatible coatings can protect robots and other products used in operating theatres. We’ve moved from a purely aesthetic line of business to a functional and technical one.”  “Essentially what we’re creating is a Faraday cage” One field of application for electronics is defence. Altair Metalizz’s customers include an optronics company that manufactures control and camera boards for drones and helicopters, which need to be protected from external elements. The application of different layers to injection-moulded or printed plastic parts reduces interference from outside. “Essentially what we’re creating is a Faraday cage,” says Lignier. “The first layer is pure silver and the second is an organic varnish with metal components, which is sprayed onto a cover made using additive manufacturing. This is lighter than aluminium and may involve complex shapes.”  Altair Metalizz started working with defence and aerospace manufacturers four years ago, a move facilitated by the decade that Lignier spent working as an engineer in these sectors. The testing phase is fairly lengthy as this represents a big technological shift for some major clients. “We don’t do a lot of publicity; we prefer to take things slowly to make sure we don’t skip any steps in the validation process, which requires a lot of testing,” says Lignier. “We want to be quietly confident by the time the solution is rolled out.” The validation process takes between six and 18 months, and involves mechanical and electrical parameters including resistance to temperature, tearing and harsh environments. Altair Metalizz’s small size makes it highly responsive, providing manufacturers with flexibility and agility. On the commercial front, it offers various packages, from full implementation to selling the entire solution, including consulting, installation, training and after-sales service. Patrice Desmedt Altair : Booth Q67

Acrotec Precision High-Tech: high-reliability microtechnology for aerospace and defence Published on 21 April 2026 At a time of accelerating investment in aerospace and defence, the Acrotec Group’s Precision High-Tech (PHT) division offers real technological added value that has already attracted many players in these highly specialised sectors. This is bolstering its position in industrial environments with extremely stringent technological requirements Rooted in the Group’s Swiss micromechanics heritage, the PHT division is now using its expertise to work on applications where reliability, repeatability and traceability are paramount. Having operated in these markets for over ten years, it specialises in components and sub-assemblies for timing systems, thermal batteries, guidance systems as well as highly technically demanding civil aviation applications. Its work draws on the combined expertise of several Group companies that between them span the entire industrial value chain: high-precision machining and bar turning, surface treatments, connectors, complex assembly and industrialisation of demanding technical series. The Group’s microtechnology DNA provides a competitive advantage here. Whereas the aerospace industry traditionally works on a macromechanical scale, Acrotec PHT offers cutting-edge expertise in hyper-miniaturisation, extreme tolerances, complex material machining and rapid prototyping – all of which have become essential for next-generation on-board systems. Vardeco – an acknowledged leader in high-reliability connectors Within the PHT division, Vardeco occupies a strategic position in precision metal connectors for high-performance applications. Used in harsh environments, its conductive components ensure signal transmission in conditions where failure is not an option. The company produces nearly 2 billion connectors each year, 92% of which are exported, and plays an active role in the supply chains of major international electronics and connectivity players operating in the aerospace and defence industries. Vardeco is also involved in developments related to new forms of air mobility, illustrating Acrotec PHT’s ability to support technological transitions in these sectors of the future driven by high-performance companies such as Roch (France), Takumi (Ireland), Dawnlough (Ireland) and Décovi (Switzerland). Industry standards aligned with sector requirements Several of the division’s entities in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe are EN 9100 certified. This benchmark standard for aerospace and defence attests to their mastery of quality processes, traceability and the documentation requirements specific to these sectors. Based in Switzerland as well as France, Germany and Ireland, the division also offers clients secure production capabilities aligned with the current challenges of industrial relocation. Dynamic structural growth Although these markets still account for a modest share of the overall business, they are now one of the division’s most dynamic development areas. “Our background in micromechanics means we can provide highly reliable industrial solutions in environments where performance, safety and security can’t be compromised. The increased focus on aerospace and on security technologies is a natural development for us, fully in line with our high-precision DNA,” says Marjolaine Cordier, CEO of Acrotec Precision High-Tech. By leveraging its capabilities in industrialising complexity and the leadership of companies such as Vardeco in high-reliability connectivity, Acrotec Precision High-Tech is establishing itself as a leading industrial partner for the most demanding technological applications. Group Acrotec : stand H35

DeviceMed, the Leading Technical Magazine for the Medtech Industry Published on 23 March 2026 As the only French‑language magazine dedicated exclusively to medical technologies DeviceMed targets medical device manufacturers. It offers these companies comprehensive coverage of news from current and potential suppliers and subcontractors in the fields of design, manufacturing, measurement, quality control, cleaning, packaging and sterilization of medical devices. From materials and subcontracting services to software, production equipment and emerging technologies, DeviceMed is committed to keeping its readers informed about ongoing innovations and current industry challenges. The magazine also features a dedicated regulatory section and a focus on clinical matters. DeviceMed is published six times per year and distributed in 6,000 copies across France, Belgium, French‑speaking Switzerland and Luxembourg. The media platform also includes a website featuring nearly 3,000 articles organised by topic, a bi‑weekly e‑newsletter, and a LinkedIn page with more than 8,000 followers. A directory of suppliers serving medical device manufacturers can be found on the website www.devicemed.fr. Companies not yet listed in this directory are invited to register using the online form. The process is free of charge and takes only a few minutes. These supplier listings are also compiled in a printed guide published every July and distributed at all trade shows where the publisher exhibits throughout the year. DeviceMed is published by TIPISE SAS under license from Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG. There is also a German-language edition of DeviceMed, developed according to the same concept. The DeviceMed team is available for further information at (+33) 4 73 61 95 57 or at info@devicemed.fr . Come and visit us at stand M82 at EPHJ 2026.

Innovative surface treatments for implants and instruments Published on 20 March 2026 Steiger Galvanotechnique SA, a Swiss company belonging to the Horatec Group, is a leader in metal surface treatment, offering innovative processes and services that are tailored to the needs of both the watchmaking and medtech industries. Steiger Galvanotechnique, which holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 and EN 9100:2016 certifications, provides a full range of services, including not only surface treatment but also the subsequent steps of laser marking, final cleaning in biologically controlled water, packaging in an ISO 7 cleanroom, labelling and sterilisation. It applies surface treatments approved for the medical sector, including for titanium and stainless-steel implants. Titanium can be anodised using three different processes: colour anodisation (Biocoat); alkaline anodisation (Biodize); plasma electrolytic oxidation (Biocer). The Biocer process is used in particular for dental implants, for which Steiger Galvanotechnique also offers SLA functionalisation. The company has expertise in other surface treatments for titanium and stainless steel such as electropolishing (Biobright) and passivation. It can also produce an Ni–PTFE anti-galling coating for use on external stainless steel fasteners. In addition, Steiger Galvanotechnique can anodise aluminium instruments and device components, providing colour anodisation and hard anodisation as well as Ematal, which is particularly well suited to applications involving contact with blood. Spectracoat: a radiopaque coating for implants Based in Châtel-St-Denis in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, Steiger Galvanotechnique also provides transport services to simplify logistical and customs formalities for customers near the border with Switzerland. What sets the company apart is its ability to innovate in the development of new bio-active and bio-functionalised surface treatments for implants. For example, its Spectracoat coloured and wear-resistant coating, which can be applied to titanium, stainless steel and copper alloys as well as ceramics and plastics, is suitable for contact with the skin and is bio-compatible, implantable and radiopaque. Femto laser marking The company recently invested in femto laser technology, enabling it to produce black markings that are completely resistant to passivation and sterilisation, thus resolving the corrosion problems commonly associated with nanosecond lasers. Another benefit of the femto laser is its high execution speed, which significantly reduces cycle time. The femto laser can also be used for producing ‘sandblasted’ textures and satin finishes, for micromachining, for making black markings on aluminium and for marking inside rings or bands. Last but not least, Steiger Galvanotechnique is an expert in UV LIGA microelectroforming, enabling the production of miniature components or the creation of surface microstructuring. You can find Steiger Galvanotechnique SA at stand J89 at EPHJ 2026. https://steiger-galvanotechnique.ch/ (in French)

Your one-stop shop for grinding and polishing Published on 20 March 2026 Recomatic, a Swiss group which already has a very strong market presence in the watchmaking, luxury goods and aerospace segments as well as other high-tech industries, is pursuing a strategic diversification into the medtech sector. Here the group is successfully drawing on its expertise in grinding and polishing equipment – backed up by its proven track record with manufacturers of orthopaedic implants and other devices. Based near Porrentruy in the Swiss Jura, a hub for the production of watch cases and bands, Recomatic was taken over 22 years ago by its co-founder’s sons Christophe and Philippe Rérat. Since then, the company has grown, with the purchase of Bula in 2008, the establishment of SWIS in 2020 and the acquisition of Cosmap in 2023. In line with its core business of finishing the most complex surfaces, the group develops and manufactures grinding and polishing machines (manual, computer numerical control (CNC) or automatic loading). BULA B2 is a CNC unit for polishing, deburring and brushing.   Although watchmaking remains the mainstay of its customer base, Recomatic is seeing increasing interest from manufacturers of orthopaedic implants (for hips, knees and shoulders) and instruments, whose surface-finish requirements are similar to those of watchmakers. At approximately 0.005mm, the precision of RECO grinding equipment approaches the micron level, while the average roughness (Ra) obtained by polishing with BULA equipment can be as low as 0.03. “We’re able to work with ceramics, titanium and chrome–cobalt, or CrCo, with the same precision as precious metals,” Christophe Rérat points out. “We also process exotic materials such as sapphire, and special materials for aerospace, as well as carbon and rubber, to name just a few.” One-stop supplier for grinding and polishing Recomatic is one of the few manufacturers to offer both grinding and polishing solutions, enabling the optimisation of these two complementary activities. It also stands out for the wide variety of its models. “We have no fewer than 20 machines in our catalogue, with a variable number of axes depending on the application in question,” explains Rérat. These units are renowned for their versatility, not only in grinding, where the manufacturer adjusts the abrasive based on the material they are going to work on, but also in polishing, where they choose the brushes, cotton or polishing paste to achieve the roughness that the customer wants. “Our product ranges meet a number of different needs in the medical sector,” adds Rérat. “For example, RECO models are recommended for grinding hip cups and femoral heads, while BULA machines are more suitable for polishing knee prostheses. The SWIS range is mainly intended for applications requiring polishing that doesn’t cause any deformation, or for parts with hard-to-reach areas, such as certain dental components.” RECO units are fitted with a magazine that can hold up to 20 tools, such as milling cutters which allow, for example, fast removal of excess thickness and reduction of cycle times. “Some of our machines have very powerful spindles that can run at speeds of up to 30,000rpm-1,” says Rérat. With a view to meeting customers’ quality requirements, Recomatic units include probes for checking the dimensions of parts. In its showroom, Recomatic also has a device for measuring roughness based on light refraction; this is used to check the quality of in-house testing. Everything under one roof Another thing that sets Recomatic apart is the fact that its headquarters in Courtedoux brings everything together under one roof. The group gives its customers year-round access to a showroom where they can use about a dozen machines to run tests and make any necessary adjustments. “For example, if a company needs a specific fixture, we can respond to their request very quickly,” explains Sébastien Wuillaume, Customer Service Director. Support is one of the group’s core values. This includes training so that users can operate their machines for themselves, as well as refresher training to inform customers about new features and help them optimise equipment programming. To this end, Wuillaume’s team trains with consumables suppliers so that customers can benefit from the latest innovations. Recomatic can also handle product validation and pre-production runs, enabling customers to assess the repeatability of its machines and the consistent quality of its work. Piloting a grinder with an environmentally friendly design Sustainable development is one of the group’s key concerns, as evidenced by the installation of solar panels on its buildings, its use of wood-pellet heating and, on the production side, its ongoing efforts to design less energy-intensive and more compact machines. At EPHJ 2023, Recomatic presented its first environmentally friendly grinder: the RECO CT5, a 5-axis simultaneous CNC finishing centre designed for finishing and preparing complex surfaces, including grinding, drilling, milling and decorating. Recomatic manufactures close to 60% of its machine components in-house at its 9,500m² workshop in Courtedoux. Recomatic also distributes SWIS DLyte electrolytic polishing equipment as well as the Murua units manufactured by the Spanish company GPA INNOVA. You can find Recomatic at stand A67 at EPHJ 2026. https://grouperecomatic.com

Global Watchmaking G7 – For the first time, EPHJ brings together the major watchmaking nations in Geneva Published on 20 March 2026 In parallel with, and in the spirit of, the G7 summit in Evian, an unprecedented global watchmaking summit will be held on June 16, 2026, the opening day of the EPHJ Show. Never before, in Switzerland or anywhere else, have the main national watchmaking federations been brought together in one setting to debate the future of their industry. This “Global Watchmaking G7” will bring together representatives from Switzerland, China, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan around a shared objective: understanding the transformations reshaping global watchmaking, presenting developments in their respective markets, and sharing future visions from the industry’s leading nations. This exceptional gathering will notably welcome Yves Bugmann, President of the Swiss Watch Industry Federation FH, Uwe Staib for Germany, Olivier Perruchot for France, Alistair Audsley for the United Kingdom, Lyu Cheng for China, as well as representatives from Italy and Japan. By virtue of its composition, this summit will give a truly international scope to a strategic discussion on the future balances of an industry undergoing profound change. Oliver Müller (Luxeconsult) will moderate the G7, which will be held in English and French with simultaneous interpretation. To each their own G7! Beyond its symbolic dimension, this watchmaking G7 aims to provide a useful and practical platform for dialogue on the major issues currently affecting the sector: market developments, technological transformations, pressure on subcontracting, competitiveness, the attractiveness of professions, and perceptions of the future. By bringing together the leading institutional voices of global watchmaking at the heart of the international high-precision trade show, EPHJ is affirming more than ever its vocation as a strategic hub for the watchmaking ecosystem. Part of this G7 will also be devoted to an exchange with industry players from the field to discuss developments in the watch market and their impact on suppliers. Among them are Grégory Dourde (Préciflex), Lionel Grand (Gecoh-Régence), Marco Tedeschi (Marco Tedeschi) and Karine Szegedi (Deloitte). By creating dialogue, within a single movement, between representatives of the major international federations and the economic players of the sector, EPHJ is creating a unique moment of collective reflection on the future of watchmaking.

Leveraging watchmaking precision for medical tubes Published on 20 March 2026 PX Group is celebrating half a century of know-how in precision metallurgy this year. The company has successfully leveraged its expertise in tubular components for watchmaking to meet the stringent quality requirements of the medical sector, particularly implantology. As with many Swiss companies, PX Group’s historical watchmaking know-how has been the key technological driver behind its diversification. Until the late 1990s, consummate expertise in shaping ultra-high-precision tubular components was required to manufacture watch bands made up of hollow preformed and brazed links. This expertise has enabled the Group to master the process of forming thin tubes, manufacturing extremely thin walls and producing complex geometries, while also ensuring dimensional regularity and impeccable quality. This precision culture, inherited from the watchmaking industry, has naturally paved the way for new high-value-added applications in niche markets, such as the medical sector, with PX Group leveraging this know-how to pivot into the creation of tubes for endoscopy. In doing so, it is pushing the technical boundaries even further with the development of variable-section tubes, meeting the most demanding requirements. Marker bands and electrodes Drawing also on its internal expertise in casting and precious-metal processing, the Group has extended its expertise to marker bands and electrodes. These components – key to the proper functioning of medical devices for use inside the human body – enable specific functions such as positioning, measurement and signal transmission. Marker bands are used in catheters, stents and other implantable devices. Being radiopaque, they are visible under X-rays. This allows healthcare professionals to position and track them accurately during procedures. Like electrodes, marker bands also serve as electrical contacts to ensure reliable connectivity in devices such as pacemakers. The materials used are highly conductive and resistant to corrosion, resulting in long-lasting performance. These components also help ensure the precision of measuring devices, thus guaranteeing the reliability of the tools used to monitor vital signs and assess treatments. High-precision production using quality materials The materials used in the production of marker bands and electrodes are selected for their superior electrical, mechanical and bio-compatible properties. Some of the most commonly used alloys are: platinum and alloys: platinum, 10% platinum–iridium and 20% platinum–iridium; gold and alloys: gold, copper–silver gold and 3N18; palladium and alloys: palladium and palladium–silver. PX Group offers components made from platinum, gold and palladium (source: PX Group). The in-house refining process delivers high levels of durability, precision and bio-compatibility, making these products the perfect choice for sophisticated medical applications. PX Group produces fully traceable, customisable rings with a length ranging from 0.4 to 20 mm, an external diameter from 0.3 to 4 mm and a wall thickness of up to 25 microns (around one-third of the thickness of a hair). This level of precision required the continuous improvement of industrial processes, particularly in high-precision laser cutting. The company is also working on developing fine polishing solutions tailored to the extreme requirements of these applications. Investment in production facilities In 2025, PX Group acquired a third laser to meet growing demand: a femtosecond laser which will enable the Group to combine its expertise in laser machining and small-diameter wires to ensure optimal precision. This investment opens up new prospects in this market, with the new machine enabling the company to double its production of marker bands and medical electrodes. You can find PX Group at stand J55 at EPHJ 2026. https://pxgroup.com/en/home/medical/

High-precision springs for medical applications Published on 20 March 2026 As a designer and manufacturer of custom springs, RISA uses its expertise and experience to support the most demanding industrial sectors. These naturally include watchmaking and medtech, where precision and reliability are paramount. Based in Courgenay in the Swiss Jura, at the heart of an industrial fabric historically linked to mechanical precision, Ressorts Industriels SA , or RISA for short, has been designing and manufacturing springs since 1959. Its precision springs are used in the most demanding sectors – watchmaking, of course, but also medical technology, microtechnology, electrical engineering, aerospace and robotics. RISA’s technical expertise means that it can meet highly stringent specifications, while its unique know-how in the production of custom springs offers significant potential for growth. Each spring produced undergoes dynamic testing and vision inspection. Source : Ressorts Industriels SA[/caption] All types of springs The company has expertise in all major spring types: compression, extension and torsion springs, wire forms, flat and stamped springs, as well as various components for use in watch cases and movements. This versatility enables it to support its customers from the design phase through to industrial production, while offering solutions tailored to the specific constraints of each application. Although they often go unnoticed by the public, springs are found in countless everyday objects and technical devices. For all their apparent simplicity, these components play a vital functional role: their dynamic behaviour allows them to store and release energy, so contributing directly to the operation of the mechanisms in which they are used. In fields such as watchmaking and medtech, where precision and reliability are key, the design and manufacture of these parts demand a very high level of quality. From watchmaking to medtech Over the years, the company has developed its expertise to build real technological bridges between the watchmaking market – historically its core business – and the medical technology sector. Its ability to work with extremely fine wires and produce complex geometries has been a major asset in this process. This expertise naturally translates into the manufacture of components for orthodontic instruments, surgical tools and respirators. Meanwhile, these skills continue to serve the needs of the watchmaking industry, particularly for movement, case and clasp components. Quality closely monitored Dynamic test benches and unit vision inspection systems are used to check the conformity and repeatability of the parts produced – two essential criteria for devices where failure is not an option. The knowledge acquired in alloy selection, heat treatments and surface finishes also helps to ensure operational excellence in the approach to these manufacturing processes. While these synergies between watchmaking and medtech offer valuable growth opportunities, they also increase organisational requirements. For an SME like RISA, this development presents both a challenge and the opportunity to further raise its standards and consolidate its position as a trusted partner for high-value-added industrial applications. It should also be noted that the company has a structured management system certified by a number of internationally recognised standards: ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 13485 for medical devices, ISO 14001 for the environment and ISO 45001 for employee health and safety. You can find RISA at stand H16 at EPHJ 2026. ressortsindustriels.ch

AZUREA: A CDMO specialising in complex micro-mechanical applications Published on 20 March 2026 While the Azurea Group has forged a strong reputation in the watchmaking industry thanks to more than a century of expertise in this area, its subsidiary Azurea Microtechnique has shifted much of the focus of its activities to the medical sector since 2018. This ISO 13485-certified company positions itself as a one-stop shop supplying complete micro-mechanical sub-assemblies. Azurea Microtechnique est basée à Bévilard, dans le canton de Berne en Suisse. Azurea Microtechnique has inherited the Group’s historical expertise in miniaturisation and precision. “It makes sense for us to leverage our expertise in small products from watchmaking in order to pivot to the medtech industry, which is constantly seeking to reduce space,” explains Yohann Viennet, CEO of the Azurea Group. “This means we’re now having to comply with dimensional constraints that come close to those of watchmaking.” He highlights another commonality between the two sectors: “As even the slightest blemish is a no-no in both medtech and watchmaking, our machining must be controlled down to the micron level, although this isn’t necessarily required by the dimensional tolerances given in the technical specifications.” One-stop shop service Azurea Microtechnique’s operations go far beyond the Group’s historical machining activities, as the company has specialised in producing complex assemblies for micro-mechanical applications. For this purpose, it has acquired additional in-house resources and skills – passivation, laser marking and assembly in ISO 5 and ISO 7 cleanrooms (gluing, pressing, crimping, screwing, welding) – and also draws on other activities in which the Group has expertise, such as cutting, grinding and milling. “In every case, Azurea Microtechnique remains the customer’s single point of contact,” says Viennet. “We manage all the supplies and provide them with a finished and functional sub-assembly.” In other words, from design for manufacturing onwards, the customer can hand over to Azurea Microtechnique the end-to-end industrialisation of components or complete functions, while benefiting from its infrastructure and industrial equipment for series production, with quality being monitored through automated process control (APC). An approach based primarily on the function of the delivered unit What sets Azurea Microtechnique apart is that its approach isn’t limited to manufacturing a part, but focuses primarily on guaranteeing that the customer’s part will actually deliver the specified functionality. The company has particular expertise in four main functional areas: . seals; . clips; . transmission and delivery systems; and . cutting/slicing. For example, as far as seals are concerned, the company worked on a medical-grade stainless steel implantable valve connector for treating hydrocephalus. The main difficulty here was ensuring that the seal would be maintained under pressure. Another example of the company’s activities, combining its expertise with both seals and clips, was a facility for cleaning and disinfecting dental hand instruments. Azurea Microtechnique produced the entire micro-mechanical system for connecting and injecting the fluid. This project involved three difficulties: ensuring a sealed interface between the cleaning equipment and the hand-held device, with the latter clipping onto the equipment; making sure that the fluid passes through all the channels of the hand-held device without any leaks; choosing the appropriate material and design to prevent the corrosion to the equipment caused by the cleaning agent. In terms of transmission and drive systems, there is the micro-mechanical pumping and regulation system of various insulin pumps.   Finally, the company’s expertise in cutting/slicing can be seen in, for instance, an ophthalmic device for corneal ablation.   “We’re fortunate enough to be able to call on a team of expert engineers with advanced skills in industrialisation, methods, metrology and quality,” adds Viennet.       Comprehensive regulatory support   Beyond functional security, the customer can rely on Azurea Microtechnique for all the regulatory aspects relating to the qualification and industrialisation of their product. The company provides them with a full technical dossier including all the installation qualification (IQ)/operational qualification (OQ)/performance qualification (PQ) stages, the production part approval process (PPAP), the process capability index (Cpk) and the calibration and measurement capability (CMC). You can find Azurea Microtechnique at stand A66 at EPHJ 2026. https://azurea.ch/en/medtech/ Facebook Twitter Youtube Share this article