Increased production capacities through automation
In June, iST put a new straightening and measuring machine into operation. The sensor manufacturer expects the new production facility to bring greater efficiency and faster delivery times.
In addition to a considerable number of customer-specific sensors, Innovative Sensor Technology IST AG has an extensive product portfolio of standard sensors. In order to withstand the ever-increasing price pressure for large series production quantities in the future, iST is investing in state-of-the-art, fully automated production facilities. These will enable the Swiss production company to also carry out price-sensitive high-volume orders.
The system covers several production processes: straightening the connecting wires, optical inspections, measuring the resistance values of the sensors at two different temperatures and packaging in blisters, bulk goods or belts. The next system is already in production and will then enable automatic welding of the connecting wires, covering of the fixing paste and appropriate drying of the sensors.
Thomas Bürgler, Director of Operations at iST, is delighted: "The new system was developed together with the manufacturer and has a capacity of 10 million sensors per year. With this investment, we remain competitive and maintain our first-class quality. Thanks to this further step in automation, we increase the reproducibility and efficiency of our processes and will be able to offer our customers sensors at the usual high level and with short delivery times in the future."
The automation at iST ensures that jobs are retained and enables price-sensitive sensors to continue to be manufactured at the Ebnat-Kappel site in addition to customer-specific products.