The Swiss NanoConvention 2012 will bring together Swiss and international leaders from science and industry in the field of «nano», key figures in innovation and technology, entrepreneurs, investors, administrators and politicians. The Swiss NanoConvention 2012 will be a platform for connecting people, networking, debating and exchanging ideas – or even generating new ones. Key players will be able to gather the best available information on the potential, but also on the risks of one of (…)

In our issue number 375, we wrote about Proto Labs, the "Amazon.com" of subcontracting. In this article we emphasized the novelty of this service largely based on the web and embedded intelligence of "supercomputers" of the company to respond very quickly to all solicitations. We also introduced the "virtual and dehumanized" aspects that some clients could feel. About a year has passed and we met with Mr. Bernard Faure, responsible for France, Switzerland and Belgium as well as Richard (…)

Trumpf has become the first manufacturer of laser marking systems to connect a laser directly to SAP R/3 via a standard printer interface. TruMark marking lasers can now be hooked up and integrated with SAP systems just as easily as conventional inkjet and toner printers. TruMark marking lasers can now be connected and integrated with SAP systems just as easily as standard inkjet and toner printers. Photo: Trumpf Group The connection is established using the driver interface for printers (…)

This year, at EMO 2011, the international metalworking industry was introduced to LA-CO Industries Europe S.A.S., a truly global force in industrial marking designed to support any industry and its marking needs. Professional metalworkers, fabricators and welders demand versatility in their marking tools. Knowing the unique surfaces that these professionals can face, it is essential that today’s industrial markers provide solutions tailored to the needs of today’s fabricators, welders and (…)

From November 15 to 18 the 41th Edition of Midest will take place at the Parc des Expositions of Paris Nord Villepinte, an industrial subcontracting trade show not to miss for companies working (or wishing to develop their activities) in France, Europe and farther. This important event has not reached its optimum in term of Swiss or Germans visitors and exhibitors. Though its reach is global and its impact undeniable. Meeting with Sylvie Fourn, Director of the show. You display an (…)

Environmental or consumer protection aspects are more and more daily concerns and it is certainly for good; but this induces always heavier constraints on companies and can lead to dire consequences both in terms of turnover and impact on image. The REACH standard for example forces companies to manage risks related to materials. Laboratoire Dubois (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) offers a new service that addresses this problem. Meeting with its Director Mr. Pierre-Yves Soguel. When law (…)

From April 4 to 8, the Hanover fair will show a full fairground. 13 main themes compose the event and are each a specialized exhibition. The general idea of the event this year is "smart efficiency" or how to optimize wisely, including resources, processes and costs. In the halls 3 to 6, "industrial supply" will be held. Primarily intended for subcontracting and precision machining, this exhibition traditionally hosts a joint booth organised by OSEC. What happens in 2011? As in past (…)

The development of new products can sometimes become a puzzle for SMEs. Engineering related to product, process or documentation is great resources consuming and sometimes small businesses who have good ideas can simply not implement them. Mecatis, the Valais’ (French-speaking Switzerland) company offers the dose of oxygen they need. Meeting with Samuel Vuadens founding associate. Affolter technologies pre-assembled machine (by Mecatis) ready to be shipped. Isérables is a small mountain (…)

In industry, the share of turnover assigned to marketing and communication is very low compared to other sectors; nevertheless, companies make sure they have the means to exhibit and sell their products. But what about after-sales? While it’s accepted that the second machine is customarily sold by the after-sales service, there’s no denying that after-sales technical communication tools are often the poor relation of communication. And yet there are professional solutions. Interview with Mr. (…)

For many small and medium-sized business, production is still monitored "by hand" using Excel or Access and a lot of ingenuity. With growth, these kinds of businesses want to be able to use software to manage, schedule and monitor orders and production; simple software which can be adapted to their needs. Clipper from Clip Industrie provides an ERP-CAPM solution for companies of between 5 and 150 staff. To find out how this solution has been implemented at Almac, we met with Roland (…)