The watch user in a changing world

Under that title, the Swiss Marketing Club organized again a memorable event today. About 200 people were reunited in a theater built in 1837 (L’heure Bleue in La Chaux-de-Fonds) to discuss the way to market timepieces.

Amazingly low profile
When you discuss with friends (obviously depending on who your friends are) about watch industry and the way people behave in that world, you often have the impression that some people there think that they are just better than anyone else. And that was not the case at all today. The Swiss brands were there to learn and exchange information about how the market evolves. That was nice to see that all these companies actually have a marketing approach and the willingness to learn more, year after year.

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Experts discussions from left to right: Emmanuel Vuille, CEO Greubel Forsey, Nathalie Veysset, CEO De Witt, Antonio Calce, CEO Corum and François Courvoisier Management School ARC.

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Open to the world
In our ever changing world, what are the values that make people buy? In fact the situation is what gives sense and if the situation changes, then sense changes too. The brands must listen to their customers to tailor their offer (this is actually marketing, isn’t it?)… but is it always the case? Sometimes a nice idea that comes from inside also brings the market a brand new idea that is instantly bought (see the iPhone) (Isn’t it marketing too?). Partakers were able to explore both aspects during the day (and many others).

Music versus management
We also understood how the changes in music from simple to complex (and the contrary) and from the inside to the outside (and the contrary) can be used to explain companies behaviors… a very strange but actually clear message.

Branding still a very strong asset
On a study based on panels for watch and jewellery, we discovered that within the past few years, the watch industry resisted far better than industry of jewels. This information alone is not that important, but what makes the difference is the fact that in jewellery, only 10% is sold by brands… and in watch industry it’s 90%! To conclude that brands is still a strong asset is quite evident.

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Next Year’s event will take place on December 2 still in La Chaux-de-Fonds. If you’re active in a way or another in Watch industry, subcontracting and/or marketing, book the date now.

I know that this post is not as technical as usual, but such a day impacts directly the way to design and produce watches…
Good evening

py

You can reach the website of the organizers here (in French) www.marketinghorloger.ch

Five years instead of six months…

“DryLin R” linear plain bearings from igus GmbH, Cologne, are lubricant-free, robust and corrosion resistant. The linear bearings with highly wear-resistant polymers are replacing metallic bushings in numerous cases. Maintenance intervals are shortened, service life increased.

A few examples
In a seat cover testing machine belonging to the American automotive components supplier, Lear Corporation in Allershausen, the “DryLin R” flange bearings have been in use without any failures for more than one and a half years. The load exerted on them is high in both Y and Z direction, and normally runs at a short stroke, (10 to max. 40 mm). In contrast, the linear guidance systems used before had to be replaced after only three months.

An even more drastic example can be found at a rubber factory in Gießen, Poppe Gummiwarenfabrik. Here, ball linings used in a cutting unit for rubber hoses failed after six months. The main reason was because of heavy talcum soiling. In the meantime, self-adjusting “DryLin R” linear plain bearings have been doing the job without any problems whatsoever for the past five years now.
Another prime example is The Austrian Montan University in Leoben, Steiermark. Here, the decision was taken to use linear plain bearings in a stone cutting machine used to saw enormous stone blocks after bearing guides had previously failed.

Picture: igus GmbH, Cologne. “DryLin R” linear plain bearings from igus GmbH, Cologne, are lubricant-free, robust and corrosion resistant. The dimensions correspond to those of linear ball linings.

“DryLin R”: Wear-resistant polymers especially for linear technology
“DryLin R” linear plain bearings from igus are based on highly wear-resistant polymers developed especially for linear technology. The standard gliding films are made of “iglidur J” material for excellent gliding friction coefficients, the high-temperature gliding films made of “iglidur X” ensure use with a long-term application temperature of up to 250°C. The dimensions of linear plain bearings are compatible with those of linear ball linings. DryLin bearings run on standard round shafts, and can be used with virtually any shaft material.

Built to last and corrosion-free due to special design
The special geometry makes “DryLin R” linear bearings robust even in heavy-duty environments, and ensures a very high level of safety even when running in coarse dirt. The design of the bearing surface with individual bridges and the interruptions in between is particularly advantageous here – as is the fact that no lubricant is required. Even if damp dirt does get onto the shaft, it is wiped off by the individual slide ways and pushed back into the contactless paths. The bridges of the bearing surfaces then slide over the path, which has been wiped free of all soiling.
The “DryLin R” range comprises gliding films and press-in bushings, linear plain bearings, housing bearings, flange housings as well as slides and linear housings. Suitable shafts and supported shafts as well as yokes and shaft brackets are also available ex stock.

igus GmbH
Spicher Str. 1a
D-51147 Köln
Tel.     +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 – 611
Fax    +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 – 631
www.igus.de

igus® Schweiz GmbH
Industriestrasse 11
4623 Neuendorf
Tel.    062 388 97 97
Fax    062 388 97 99
info.ch@igus.ch
www.igus.ch

Delcam’s PartMaker boosts efficiency at medical device manufacturer

Using Delcam’s PartMaker CAM software has given medical device manufacturer C-Axis the ability to manufacture complex, high-quality medical parts very efficiently.  The company uses a range of six multi-axis CNC mills and Swiss-type lathes, the most complex of which is a twelve-axis Star ECAS-20T.  Of course, when programming such sophisticated parts on such complex machines, being able to quote, program and set jobs up efficiently is paramount.

Easy to design…
“Our biggest challenges include designing a machining process that meets our quality standards, proving out the processes before interrupting the machine’s production, and reducing our set-up times,” says Mr. Haley.  “Our PartMaker CAM software allows us to design and troubleshoot our processes off-line, on an inexpensive computer instead of on a very expensive machine tool.  We can examine and optimise the process prior to even starting the set-up.  When we load the programs and set up the machine, we are virtually ready to start production.” […]

CNC Programmer Jeff Geronsin believes C-Axis would not be able to do complex milling without PartMaker

…and much more
“Without the software, we would not be able to do as much complex milling as we do,” says Jeff Geronsin, the plant’s CNC programmer.  “Even basic programming can be done with PartMaker in half the time that it used to take writing it manually.  For example, if we are milling out pockets and decide to change an end-mill size, PartMaker can do calculations in seconds which could take hours when programming manually.” “Medical parts require a level of perfection that is not seen on other types of device,” claimed Mr. Geronsin.  “The cosmetic look of the part is very important to customers.  As a result, we’ve had to do surface machining on our Swiss machines.  Without PartMaker, we’d have had to turn down those components.”

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For further information on PartMaker, please contact:
In Europe: Peter Dickin, Marketing Manager, Direct phone: 44 (0)121 683 1081
marketing@delcam.com

In the US: Hanan Fishman, Direct phone +215 (643) 5077 x 204
hanan@partmaker.com

www.delcam.com
www.partmaker.com

Biemh 2010 – Preferential admission till December first

From the 31st May to 5th June, 2010 the 26th Spanish-Machine Tool Biennial will be held. This exhibition is organised by BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre) and AFM (Spanish Machine-Tool Manufacturers Association). The organizers also count on the collaboration of AMT (Association of Spanish Manufacturers of Accessories, Component Parts and Tools).

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To the help of exhibitors
Organizers remind us that December 1st is the deadline for preferential admission and also that they have introduced a number of financial and promotion support measures in order to help companies to improve their participation.

• 14% price reduction on the rate for applications received before the 1st December.
• Additional discount from 5% to 25% on the rental space price, depending on the number of sq. m. contracted.
• Payment in instalments
• 10% discount on stand building up and furnishing if the stand construction is contracted with BEC

Cost simulator
You can find additional information in the organizer’s website, so as the application form and the conditions for the participation. You will be able to find a cost simulator for the rental space price which will allow you to know exactly the price of the required surface, taking into account the date, the surface and the open sides

foreign@bec.eu
www.biemh.com

Special Feature Show “e-production for everyone”

Innovative applications for consumer-use: In the field of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing EuroMold has already long time ago established itself as Europe’s biggest market place for product development! New at EuroMold 2009 will be the special feature show “e-production for everyone’ in the newly built hall 11.0. Here fields of application of generative processes for consumers will be in focus. This show offers all attendees a perspective on how these highly innovative technologies could lead to a future change of the variety of products in our daily lives.

New perspectives
Current applications of Rapid Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping can be found in the fields of jewellery, furniture, interior design or other accessories like glasses.
The special feature, organised in co-operation with the universities of Coburg and Offenbach, will show further areas into which this highly innovative technique might find its way. The production of individualised everyday products is on display. To make this happen the universities co-operate with several renowned international companies, which exhibit in hall 11.0, too.

Tailored production
Based on specific products different future fields of application for the everyday usage of generative processes will be shown. The demonstration of the University of Offenbach will encompass products such as gauntlets and bicycle seats. To produce a gauntlet first of all the hand has to be scanned. Gained data such as length and dimension of the finger will then be used in a laser sintering process in order to produce an individual gauntlet. The gauntlet as well as the Velcro fastener is made out of one single piece and in one job step, including all seams. A special structure in the gauntlet also protects fingers and wrist from overstretching.

When producing an individual saddle the user firstly has to be measured. By use of achieved CAD-data the individualised bicycle saddle then will be produced in a generative process. This project aims to give fresh impetus to future manufacturing processes of individualised products.

For more information about EuroMold: www.euromold.com

Eurotec will be there and we’re going to gather precious information!

50 percent more machine time without scrap

“When it comes to the price, the system pays off even for a single machine (if the setup times are significant). But besides price, it is the applicability that counts“. That is the matter-of-fact view of Berghoff, one of the leading companies for CNC processing and assembly production, concerning the price-performance ratio of presetting and measuring devices. Since installing a Zoller venturion machine equipped with the pilot 3.0 operating platform, discussions ended a long time ago due to the enormous amount of time saved.

“A solution tailored for all individual production processes“, is what Zoller promises customers investing in a professional venturion package. The challenge to be met at Berghoff GmbH was to reduce setup times within the production process. This becomes even more important when considering the setup time necessary for workpieces of up to 3,500mm in length, machined with up to 240 tools or the demands of producing low volumes. Moreover, 25 DMG machining centers are used! This also explains Berghoff management’s goal of doing the setting up/presetting during the main production time. Since working with the presetting and measuring machine venturion and software pilot 3.0, this mission has been completed.

This is how Berghoff general manager Oliver Bludau sees it: “We were able to cut down the time we need for measuring/presetting to a couple of hours. As of today, we are talking about a reduction of approx. 50%. In theory, you could probably even go for a reduction of up to 80%, but under workshop conditions this goal is unrealistic. A considerable part of the 50% is due to the parallel introduction of zero-point quick change clamping systems.“
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Discover the complete story in Eurotec’s next issue.

Berghoff GmbH & Co. KG
Herr Oliver Bludau
57489 Drolshagen
Tel. +49(0)2763/2127911
oliver.bludau@berghoff.eu
www.berghoff.eu

E. Zoller GmbH & Co. KG
Gottlieb-Daimler Street 19
74385 Pleidelsheim
Germany
Tel. +49(0)7144/8970-268
www.zoller.info

For Switzerland and Austria, please visit Springmann website.

Measurable results

GF AgieCharmilles, Hexagon Metrology extend collaboration; complementary technologies to be featured at EXPOlaser 2009.

GF AgieCharmilles and Hexagon Metrology, two globally-renowned technology leaders, are stepping up their partnership to bring leading-edge laser technology and the latest metrology instruments to EXPOlaser 2009, Nov. 19-21, at Piacenzaexpo, Piacenza, in Italy. Thanks to this partnership, visitors to EXPOlaser 2009 will get a close-up look at how  GF AgieCharmilles’ laser ablation technology and products are complemented by Hexagon Metrology’s laser scanners which digitally capture 3D-shapes and textures precisely and effortlessly, and play a key role in quality assurance.

From concept to finished products
GF AgieCharmilles’ Laser products offer manufacturers new possibilities for fine texturing and, thanks to Hexagon Metrology’s expertise in all areas of metrology, cover the whole design process chain from concept to finished product and quality assurance, as well as the possibility of reverse engineering. The cooperation between GF AgieCharmilles and Hexagon Metrology began earlier this year with the installation of Hexagon Metrology 3D measuring machines in GF AgieCharmilles’ application centers. Customers are the ultimate beneficiary of GF AgieCharmilles and Hexagon Metrology’s shared passion for high precision.

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To the service of customers
Measurable results are at the heart of GF AgieCharmilles’ commitment to customers, and Hexagon Metrology provides the instruments and knowledge base to let customers see for themselves the value delivered by GF AgieCharmilles Laser machines.

http://www.gfac.com/laser-website/

I. Micronarc Alpine Meeting (MAM2010) – Equipment for Microproducts. January 20-22, 2010, Villars-sur-Ollon

The earlybird deadline for MAM2010 is in only 3 days!

In order to benefit from the reduced price, you should register on or before Friday November 20, 2009.

You may go here for more information and to register.

II. MAM 2010 – Company Sponsorship / Exhibition Possibility

A limited table-top exhibition will run in parallel to the conference for companies and organisations that wish to promote at MAM2010. The cost for each exhibition space is CHF 3000.- (+7.6% VAT). For this fee, each exhibitor will receive :

• 1 full participant entry to MAM2010, including social events, lunches and coffee breaks.
• 1 table for brochures or product display
• space to display 1-2 A0 posters (portrait orientation).
• 1 x 220 volt electricity
• company logo on the conference web site and on all conference documentation.

Please contact them for more information if you are interested.

» Space is limited to 10-12 tables and requests will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tornos: low point may have been reached

Order flow stabilizes
The Tornos Group booked total orders of CHF 20.3 m in the third quarter of 2009 (2008: CHF 53.4 m), a volume comparable to that of the previous quarter (CHF 19.9 m). After five consecutive quarters of falls, orders now appear to be stabilizing at an extremely low level. This suggests that the bottom of the cycle may have been reached, particularly as the third quarter is traditionally the weakest of the year in view of the adverse impact of the summer holiday period on business activity. Cumulative orders for the first nine months of the year were therefore CHF 63.3 m, a fall of 67.4% compared to last year (CHF 193.9 m).

Further fall in sales, negative profit and solid equity base
Sales declined once again in the third quarter, totalling CHF 19.4 m (2008: CHF 55.4 m) – a broad reflection of the average volume of orders for the year to date. The figure for the first nine months of the year was CHF 78.8 m, a reduction of 60.8% compared to the same period last year (CHF 201.1 m). Use of the Group’s installed capacity is below 30% and, despite the numerous measures taken to reduce costs, the fall in volume has produced distinctly negative results. The third quarter saw a loss of CHF 6.3 m, bringing the total for the first nine months of the current year to CHF 21.7 m. This is in contrast to 2008 when the figures for the same periods were profits of CHF 2.7 m and CHF 8.3 m respectively. The Group’s net debt increased by CHF 4.7 m during the quarter under review, totalling CHF 20.9 m on 30 September 2009. In that context it should be borne in mind that the Group signed a CHF 50 m three-year bank credit agreement at the end of September 2009. At that time, equity of CHF 132.7 m accounted for 68.4% of the balance sheet total of CHF 193.9 m and is testimony to the Group’s robust financial situation.

Outlook
Given the current macroeconomic situation, the Group has decided not to publish detailed forecasts. On the one hand, business levels appear to be stabilizing, while on the other certain markets are actually seeing the onset of a revival in activity, which could lead to an improvement in the economic situation over the next few months. However, signs of a recovery are still extremely fragile and it would be premature to expect any significant upturn in the short term. The Group is not predicting any substantial improvement in the order book before the middle of 2010, and is pressing ahead with its policy of widespread recourse to short-time working, thereby avoiding any permanent loss of its industrial and commercial capabilities.

www.tornos.com

Keeping mobile

Modern orthopedic products preserve mobility. With its new NXis™ Ortho system Walter offers manufacturers of components such as artificial joints cost-saving and speedy grinding solutions.

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Technical challenge
From artificial knee joints to hip implants to spinal fusion plates – more and more people are dependent on implants as a result of accidents or physical decline. Their manufacture, however is rather expensive. Bio-compatible high-tech materials and extreme precision are essential for making perfectly fitting artificial body parts. The technical challenge of manufacturing these components is therefore correspondingly high. The market for orthopaedic implants is developing at a fast pace. The number of suppliers and products is rapidly increasing, making competition harder at the same time. In this sector too, the market demands lower manufacturing costs and we have a solution. One alternative for increasing efficiency is computer-simulated production planning, followed seamlessly by actual production. The new Walter NXis™ Ortho system facilitates such an optimized production process.

From concept to simulation
Most suppliers of orthopedic technology design their parts using conventional CAD/CAM programs. After that, the manufacturers determine how the components should be made. Testing the prototypes is next. This, however, is a very time-consuming process. Often, the course of action has to be reassessed and partly redeveloped. The NXis™ Ortho system, on the other hand, goes directly from designing the parts to complete 3-D simulation of a machining program […]

Best surface finishes
“The Helitronic Vision is significantly more productive than other tool grinding machines, making it ideally suited to the orthopedic sector”, says Simon Manns, Applications Manager Tool Grinding at the North American Schleifring subsidiary United Grinding Technologies. The 3-D portal offered unsurpassed damping properties for optimum surface finishing, for instance for artificial knee or hip joints […]

To the Walter Website.