Swiss precision turned parts for the global market
With two NTX turn-mill centers and a SPRINT for horizontal production turning, Aeschlimann manufactures complex and ready-to-install components for almost all industries
Aeschlimann AG Décolltages from Lüsslingen has its roots in the manufacture of watch screws. Werner and Anna Aeschlimann-Wolf founded the company in 1937, and their sons Hans-Ueli and Peter Aeschlimann joined the business in 1952 to expand the portfolio to include assemblies and machine parts. The company moved to the local industrial estate in the 1970s. Since then, it has grown continuously in terms of production space, number of employees and turnover. Today, with 160 employees, Aeschlimann stands for high-precision and ready-to-install turned parts that are used in almost all sectors, from automotive, hydraulics and medical to electronics and - as before - the watch industry. Since 2021, three DMG MORI machines have been added to the 6,000 m², 250-machine production facility. It started with an NTX 2500 with Robo2Go followed by an NTX 500 automated with IMTR. In 2024, a SPRINT 32|10 was also installed for a test run.
High-precision turned parts and assemblies with accuracies in the micrometre range
Aeschlimann's steady growth has created a company that is one of the largest of its kind in Switzerland. ‘Our development follows the needs of our customers,’ explains Rolf Bläsi, CEO and Technical Director at Aeschlimann. The automotive industry, for example, continues to demand large series production of diesel engines. However, many other industries require small batches of high-quality, precision turned parts. As the company only supplies ready-to-install components, maximum vertical integration in its manufacturing processes is required. ‘With post-process grinding and honing, we achieve accuracies in the micrometre range and surface quality of up to Ra 0.01,’ adds CTO and Production Manager Michael Kunz. With state-of-the-art measuring machines, Aeschlimann guarantees the high quality and reliability of the complex components.
Automated processes for workpieces from ø 1 to 450 mm
In order to produce the extremely diverse, high-quality range of components economically from all common materials in diameters from ø 1 to 450 mm, Aeschlimann has relied on advanced production technologies in turning, milling and grinding for many decades. ‘This allows us to respond flexibly to almost any enquiry at any time and means we don't have to cherry-pick,’ says Rolf Bläsi, explaining the company's broad range of production. Automated processes are also standard nowadays in order to remain competitive on the international market. One of Aeschlimann's mottos is: ‘We only deliver globally.’ The performance of the machine tools is crucial in this business, especially in terms of accuracy, as Michael Kunz explains: ‘The more accurate the CNC machines are in turning and milling, the less effort is required in grinding.’ This has a decisive influence on the efficiency of the overall process.
NTX 2500: 6-sided complete turn-mill machining up to ø 670 mm
The investment in DMG MORI turn-mill centers was driven by ‘crazy workpieces’, as Rolf Bläsi describes the increasingly atypical turned parts: ‘The geometries became so complex over time that machining in multiple process steps with the corresponding reclampings was no longer economical.’ In these cases, 6-sided complete machining was the only efficient production approach. ‘With its large workpiece capacity of up to ø 670 mm diameter, the NTX 2500 was ideal for our range of components,’ adds Michael Kunz. The generous working area is due in part to the short compactMASTER Turn & Mill spindle, which also gives the turn-mill center its enormous versatility. Complex medical components and machine parts can be produced economically at any time, regardless of the proportion of milling involved.
NTX 500: Turn-mill machining of small medical parts
Aeschlimann achieves optimum utilization of the NTX 2500 with the help of Robo2Go. The flexible robot handling supports autonomous production even during unmanned shifts, especially for small and medium batch sizes. After the NTX 2500 had proven itself in practice, Aeschlimann decided to purchase an NTX 500. ‘With a 42,000 rpm spindle, it is perfectly suited to precise and productive production of small medical workpieces,’ says Michael Kunz. Turn-milled parts with a diameter of up to ø 1 mm are produced on the machine - also automatically. A bar loader and an integrated parts removal system - an IMTR - allow autonomous operation.
SPRINT 32|10: Highly productive with 41 tools and 10 CNC axes
After the two NTX turn-mill centers, Aeschlimann also examined the DMG MORI portfolio for sliding-head turning, the Lüsslingen company's original core business. ‘With a total of 41 tool positions and 10 CNC axes, the SPRINT 32|10 machines complex components extremely quickly,’ says Rolf Bläsi. DMG MORI installed the horizontal production turning center at Aeschlimann for a test run. ‘It allowed us to see whether the machine would meet all requirements in actual production and what could possibly be optimized,’ added Rolf Bläsi. DMG MORI, in turn, is endeavoring to enhance the machine configuration - for example with two or three additional turning tools to increase flexibility.
Expanding capacity through process integration and automation
As far as the business situation is concerned, Rolf Bläsi is optimistic about the future: “There will always be a demand for ready-to-install turned parts in small to large quantities. We are broadly positioned for this.” The main challenge, he says, is to find and train skilled personnel. “Currently we are training 12 junior employees.” On the machine side, Aeschlimann will continue on its current path and invest in future-proof production solutions. For example, a medical industry center has been set up in recent years, in which DMG MORI machines also play an important role. Rolf Bläsi's experience with these modern machining processes prompted him to comment: “With complete machining and automation solutions on our DMG MORI machines, we can continue to increase our capacity in the future with a similar production area and number of employees.”
Aeschlimann AG Décolletages
Bahnhofstrasse 213
CH-4574 Lüsslingen
Aeschlimann AG Décolletages