Automated in-process measurement in turning centres

The highest quality standards, rising cost pressures and structural change in the automotive industry necessitate continuous technological advancement. This applies in particular to manufacturers of high-precision components and assemblies, such as the Sauter Precision GROUP. For their in-machine measurement technology, the group relies on probes from Blum-Novotest.

“Our core process is precision turning. We have a total of 140 lathes of various types in the Group,” explains Dr Steffen Böhm from Sauter management. “Even though we are now diversifying company operations, a large proportion of the components we produce still go to the automotive industry. For the automotive sector, we mainly manufacture components used in sensor technology and braking systems.” The sensor technology, hydraulics and robotics sectors are growing in importance in the Sauter customer portfolio. This especially true since the high process, quality and documentation standards in the automotive industry provide an excellent starting point for tapping into other demanding markets such as defence.

Sauter does not see itself solely as a contract manufacturer, but as a supplier capable of establishing process chains. Based in Aldingen at the south-western end of the Swabian Alb mountain range, the company offers additional process steps after production, such as hardening, grinding, washing, testing and packaging. Traceability and process reliability can also be ensured even for very large production volumes.