Feature article: PIM International, Vol.5 No.1 March 2011, pages 39-44, 2312 words

Author: Nick Williams, PIM International

  

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Located in Ispringen, close to Stuttgart and the Northern area of Germany’s Black Forest, OBE is a manufacturer of high volume, precision metal parts. More than 100 years of machining experience has enabled the company to become the market leader in hinges and related components for the eyewear industry.

In 1996 the company diversified into MIM and has now combined its expertise in automation with its broad range of in-house finishing operations to set itself apart from many other MIM operations in Europe. Nick Williams reports on his recent visit.

Introduction

OBE Ohnmacht & Baumgärtner GmbH & Co. KG (OBE) was founded in 1904 as a machine shop for jewellery and watch parts in Pforzheim, close to the company’s current site in Ispringen, Germany. Over the following decades expertise was developed in the production of ever more precise components thanks to investments in the latest production technology and the company diversified to supply components to a wide range of markets. In 1947 the company first came into contact with spectacle manufacturers, an introduction that ultimately led to the successful development of a range of innovative hinges for spectacle frames. By the 1960’s the company employed nearly 1000 people.

The company went through a major restructuring in the late 1980’s and early to mid-1990’s, during which time the company’s two factories in Isprignen were consolidated onto one site. The new factory was opened in 1995.

OBE’s machining division, called Optic, is dedicated to the production of spectacle frame parts from titanium and stainless steel profiles. The machining facility is located in the same building as the MIM operation. The components and hinge assemblies that the company makes for the optical industry range from simple but high precision hinge mechanisms to highly complex systems with internal springs. OBE sells the assembled hinge mechanisms to eyewear manufacturers worldwide and owns more than 150 international patents……….........

 

Further sections of this paper include:

• The development of MIM at OBE
• Materials
• Tooling
• A facility with automation and traceability at its core
• The concept of a full service supplier
• MIM markets
  
• Environmental awareness
• Contact
  

 

Figures and Tables:

Fig. 1  OBE’s factory and headquarters in Ispringen, Germany
Fig. 2 Automation machining of stainless steel and titanium strip  to produce spectacle frame parts for OBE’s Optic division
Fig. 3  The machine building and maintenance area at OBE
Fig. 4  OBE currently operates eight Arburg Allrounder injection moulding machines, all with automated part handling systems for the efficient processing of high volume parts
Fig. 5  The company’s debinding and sintering area operates a range of furnaces from Elnik Systems and Gero GERO Hochtemperaturöfen GmbH & Co.KG
Fig. 6  The inspection and testing laboratory at OBE
Fig. 7 A conveyor system that connects all areas of the factory can be seen passing along the ceiling of this dispatch area
Fig. 8 Josef Heckert, OBE’s Technical Director of Production, stands in front of a vast automated component storage area that links directly to the factory’s conveyor system
Fig. 9 One section of the electroplating facilities at OBE. The area in view is dedicated to small volume processing, whilst a second significantly larger electroplating facility is out of view to the right
Fig. 10 Images generated by theTrevista automated surface inspection system developed by OBE
Fig. 11 A MIM titanium dental fixation plate produced by OBE
Fig. 12  A 316L MIM clock casing for use in a high-end automotive dashboard. A unique feature of this component is the brushed surface effect which is integrated into the tool
Fig. 13  An innovative spectacle frame hinge system produced by MIM for TAG Heuer
Fig. 14 OBE won a 2010 EPMA Award for this extremely small MIM 316L part for a spectacle frame locking device. The part weighs 0.028g and more than 4 million parts are produced each year. The part is manufactured in a 32 cavity mould
Fig. 15 A MIM spectacle frame hinge that is both decorative and functional
Fig. 16 A Laguiole spectacle frame featuring MIM hinge parts

 

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