Engineering division
ENGINEERING
As a leading industrialisation partner, the SwissFactory.Group offers production-related engineering services so that it can support its customers from development to series production.
Photo: Complex component for a serial technical laser device.

The engineering competencies of the SwissFactory.Group lie in the development and industrialisation of B2B products.
The SwissFactory.Group offers its production-related engineering services for high-tech industries such as MedTech, semiconductors, vacuum, optics, metrology or aerospace, but also for classic industries such as the mechanical engineering, power generation or automotive industries.
Product development
In order to eliminate the disadvantages of the classic development and industrialization process, the SwssFactory.Group, together with partners, has defined an efficient product development process, which is supplemented by three dynamic pillars, among others:
The specification is and remains one of the most important documents, which should guide but not channel the development.
By means of market testing, the current status is regularly discussed with the customer or even with the end customer. Risks but also opportunities are thus identified at an early stage. Due to the proximity to production, functional samples are also quickly created and tested during development. This can further minimize the risk of faulty development.
Value Engineering 360° ensures that the design developed not only meets the specifications but also represents the optimum solution in terms of cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Graphic: Dynamic product development
Regular updating of the specifications, systematic market testing, and Value Engineering360°help to develop products in line with market requirements.
“Classic” engineering
The SwissFactory.Group engineering team consists of employees with many years of experience in demanding development projects. The proximity to production is particularly pronounced — literally, but also figuratively.
Parts are designed in such a way that they can be manufactured at minimal cost. To make this possible, the optimal production technology is first selected and then the design is optimized accordingly. Feedback from factory employees naturally helps with this decision.
During internal design reviews, the design is also examined by employees from production and assembly and evaluated with regard to producibility.
In addition to the important experience and input from production, the latest design tools are also used. In the CAD area, the SwissFactory.Group works with SolidWorks and Siemens NX. Powerful FEM tools are also used.
Various options are available for covering engineering expenses. In the case of an existing product, for example, the engineering effort can be financed by a certain proportion of future cost savings.
Graphic: In addition to the important experience and input from production, state-of-the-art design tools are also used. In the CAD area, the SwissFactory.Group works with SolidWorks and Siemens NX. Powerful FEM tools are also used.

Prototypes
Functional samples, breadboards and complete prototypes can be built and tested in the immediate vicinity of development.
The production of the prototypes is closely accompanied by the development department, so that all product knowledge flows together in one place. In the production department, there is a special department for prototype orders.
If desired, a complete qualification program can be created and implemented for the customer.

Value
Engineering
A product is successfully developed when it can be successfully positioned in the market- and not when it functions perfectly from a technical point of view. With a systematic value engineering process, the chances of a successful market positioning can be greatly increased.
For this reason, Zühlke Engineering and the SwissFactory.Group has decided to establish a competence center for value engineering. Zühlke’s many years of in-depth engineering know-how, coupled with Stoppani’s extensive production expertise, make it possible to develop products that are optimally prepared for market entry. Thanks to the wide range of production technologies, functional samples, prototypes or pre-series can be produced and tested at any time.
In view of this competence center for value engineering, Zühlke Engineering, and the SwissFactory.Group has also developed a new type of process — Value Engineering 360°!
What is Value Engineering 360°?
Value Engineering 360° is a holistic product view that illuminates all aspects of a product. Aspects such as efficient production & assembly, reliability, packaging & logistics, but also sustainability are evaluated at a very early stage and the product is designed accordingly.
Graphic: Value Engineering 360°
“Value Engineering 360° creates products, which are betterser are adopted.»
Cost optimisation at all levels is of central importance. Requirements are evaluated quantitatively and, if necessary, critically scrutinized. The most suitable production technology is determined and the product design is optimized accordingly. In this process, engineering works hand in hand with production and procurement.
However, the cost optimisation process is far from complete with the launch of the product on the market. In the course of its life cycle, the aim is to further optimize the product and adapt it to the next, more suitable production technology so that it can also be manufactured efficiently in larger quantities.
Graphic:Value Engineering 360°
With VE 360, development time can be shortened, development and manufacturing costs reduced, and product life extended.
The greatest benefit is achieved when development projects are implemented using value engineering methods right from the start. But value engineering also makes sense for products that are already on the market. On the one hand, manufacturing costs can be reduced, on the other hand, additional performance or functionality can be implemented into the product, which increases the chances for a longer product life cycle, among other things. For this purpose, the SwissFactory.Group offers the
VE Plus process.
Graphic: Value Engineering Plus
Customer added value can also be generated within the scope of a reengineering thanks to the VE Plus process of the SwissFactory.Group.
For the implementation of the value engineering processes, a designated expert(value engineer) is available in each case, who accompanies the development team during product development and industrialization as a sparring partner. As “godfather or godmother” of the product, he feels primarily responsible for a successful market positioning. He asks the right questions, points out alternatives and ensures that production-relevant aspects are fully considered. He has the necessary network to bring the appropriate external resources to the table whenever needed. It is financed by a monthly flat rate defined at the start of the project.
Graphic: Value Engineering — a pragmatic implementation approach
The Value Engineer ensures that the right questions are asked at the right time.
By means of specific software, we are able to simulate the deep drawing process — conventional as well as hydromechanical.
This is how we achieve:
- Reduction of development costs
- Safety of the correct tool design
- Shorter prototype/realization phase
- Support in the selection of materials
- No risk of cracks and wrinkles
Graphics: Thermoforming simulation
By means of specific software, conventional or hydromechanical deep drawing processes are simulated within the framework of value engineering.
Special machine construction
We design and build complete special machines from specifications, including electronic and hydraulic components — e.g. for automation devices.
With experienced teams of engineers and designers, project managers with extensive experience and specialist welding engineers, we can also handle complex projects as a total or general contractor.
We also offer modernization or repair of machines and equipment.
We also develop our own products, such as
- Bunorm Hydraulic Presses
- Bunorm tunnel assembly machine. Weighing 50 tons, it dries and cleans tunnel walls, lays and welds sealing foils on radii of up to 16 metres. This installation, unique in Europe, is easy to operate and moves itself in a tunnel.
Automated guided vehicles FTS
We connect your value-added/production islands through state-of-the-art goods handling or transport and thus enable you to take an integrated approachto the digital factory.
In addition to our many years of experience in the use of AGVs, we also address the requirements for the collaborative use of vehicles — vehicles with an attached robot as an “Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)”.
As a system integrator we offer you
- The interfaces to your ERP / MIS respectively your production cell
- Traditional vans equipped with our navigation fleet management system
If required, weofferour vehicle construction as OEM-FTF.