Holistic approach optimizes processes
The story begins at the village blacksmith in Wasen in the Emmental valley, where nose rings for the taming of oxen were manufactured. In the decades that followed, this developed into an innovative, global company whose name has become synonymous with tools and medical instruments of unsurpassed precision and durability – PB Swiss Tools . The history of the tool manufacturer can be traced back to 1878. Tools have been produced since 1940, with medical products added to the portfolio in 2013. Today, specialists in over 80 countries place their trust in PB Swiss Tools whenever their work has to meet the highest quality standards. The 180 staff in Wasen and Sumiswald manufacture 12 million tools and instruments each year, over two-thirds of which are exported to customers around the world. Tools and medical instruments of the highest precision and durability are produced at company headquarters in Wasen and in Sumiswald. In 2019, staff from PB Swiss Tools became aware of Blaser brand ambassador Titan Gilroy and the Synergy 735 metalworking fluid at the Prodex trade fair in Basel. Patrick Gehrig – Head of Production at PB Swiss Tools – showed a particular interest in the holistic approach taken by Blaser Swisslube, with increased productivity and cost optimization through the use of the “Liquid Tool”. “We arranged for a visit of the production facilities at PB Swiss Tools to discuss a potential collaboration,” explains Hans-Peter Dubach, application engineer at Blaser Swisslube. This visit focused on the comprehensive approach taken by Blaser Swisslube. In addition to discussions and meetings, all details of the production process were examined in detail. Hans-Peter Dubach explains: “This included an analysis of the water quality, the tools and machines used, and the processed materials. We took a look at all upstream and downstream processes and saw some potential for improvement. The cleanliness of the machines wasn’t up to scratch, with the lathes oily and sticky. Moreover, we were of the opinion that we could also improve the service life of the tools.” Patrick Gehrig (Head of Production) and Hans Rudolf Mathys (Team Leader Machining) from PB Swiss Tools The experts from PB Swiss Tools set themselves the goal of optimizing the processes, extending the tool service lives and reducing the overall costs in cooperation with Blaser Swisslube. Following the detailed analysis, Hans-Peter Dubach recommended the use of the crystal-clear Synergy 735 metalworking fluid. “This water-miscible, oil-free metalworking fluid achieves a flawless surface quality thanks to its optimal additives. It has outstanding flow behavior and the machines and tool surfaces are easy to clean,” explains Dubach. Moreover, Synergy 735 also gives a clear view of the machining process and features a neutral odor and outstanding compatibility with the skin. Thanks to the minimal foam build-up, the metalworking fluid is also ideally suited to high-pressure systems. Improved tool service lives In spring 2019, the new metalworking fluid was tested on a lathe for three months. The results were convincing in every respect, with an improvement in tool service life of around ten percent while maintaining the same levels of process reliability. The rate of concentration adjustment was cut almost in half, which had a positive effect on overall costs. It was possible to reduce costs for both the tools and metalworking fluid. All process times were met. Last but not least, the improved cleanliness of the tools and machines also impressed the people in charge at PB Swiss Tools. Patrick Gehrig, Head of Production at PB Swiss Tools, already has one eye on the future: “We are placing our trust in our metalworking fluid partner Blaser Swisslube and will strive to achieve constant improvements in other areas.” Since the switch to the new metalworking fluid solution, the machines have stayed clean. Following this successful collaboration, further processes with scope for improvement have already been tackled. These include new grinding processes, the use of cutting oils, the introduction of lubrication plans and streamlining of the lubricant range. PB Swiss Tools and Blaser Swisslube intend to further intensify their partnership in future. Blaser Swisslube Since 1936, Blaser Swisslube has stood for lubricant solutions with measurable added value that are safe for humans and the environment. The Swiss family-owned company develops, produces and sells a comprehensive range of metalworking fluids for a wide range of industries. With a team of application experts, customized services and first-class products, Blaser Swisslube helps its customers to utilize the full potential of their machines and tools and to transform metalworking fluid into a key success factor – a so-called “Liquid Tool”. Blaser Swisslube AG Winterseistrasse 22 3415 Hasle-Rüegsau www.Blaser.com Youtube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram PB Swiss Tools PB Swiss Tools AG is a family-owned company that is currently managed in the fourth generation by Max Baumann (CTO) and Eva Jaisli (CEO). The history of PB Swiss Tools can be traced back to 1878 at the village blacksmith in Wasen. Tools have been produced since 1940, and medical products since 2013. Today, 180 staff in Wasen and Sumiswald manufacture 12 million tools and medical instruments each year, over two-thirds of which are exported to customers in more than 80 countries around the world. The PB Swiss Tools product range contains over 3,000 items. PB Swiss Tools www.pbswisstools.com YouTube LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Images: Copyright PB Swiss Tools Text: Copyright Blaser Swisslube
On the trail of Swiss master craftsmen and craftswomen
One of their tasks was to locate the section for their own vocational training course and observe the SwissSkills participants and what they were doing. Question 1: What impressed you most? Florence Gammeter, 1st year polymechanic apprentice: The most impressive thing for me was that the participants concentrated totally on their own work. They didn’t look up to see what the others were doing. Nicolas Gerber, 2nd year production mechanic apprentice: I was most impressed by their speed, despite the restricted space they had. Dario Flükiger, 1st year automation technician apprentice: What I found really impressive was the hustle and bustle throughout the competition. The participants were also incredibly quick and (mostly) knew exactly where to find every tool. Question 2: Describe the activities – compare day-to-day work with the competition? Silvan Feldmann, 3rd year automation technician apprentice: The competition reminded me a lot of my first-stage exams. The experts were always looking over our shoulders and we were constantly under tremendous pressure. I could never work effectively in front of so many spectators. I much prefer my nice, quiet workplace in the company. Roman Bichsel, 2nd year polymechanic apprentice: The activities in the competition environment and in my day-to-day work were very similar. They also had to turn, mill and drill workpieces. The main difference between their work and mine is that they had to do a pneumatics test and work mainly on the CNC machines and program them. Another difference between this and everyday work is that there were thousands of people watching here. You can't afford to make a single mistake and you have to work so accurately and with extreme concentration. Jan Gerber, 3rd year trainee logistics clerk: The main issue here is speed rather than quality. Of course, the quality is assessed here but in everyday work, quality is more important. Question 3: What are the most important characteristics that enable people to participate successfully in such a competition? Jonas Widmer, 3rd year administration trainee: To take part in the SwissSkills competition they had to pass a psychological test. This makes sense when you see the conditions the competition takes place in. Joël Tellenbach, 3rd year polymechanic apprentice: Concentrated, very precise ways of working bring about success. Mario Eymann, 3rd year production mechanic apprentice: Concentrated, very precise work coupled with the ability to read the instructions and drawings quickly and understand what has to be done – these are the key characteristics. In the afternoon, our trainees, apprentices and instructors went off together to hunt down our tools. The groups were mixed so that there was always someone in each group who knew the trades in question and could contribute practical experience from everyday work. Question 4: What tools were being used? Dario Flükiger, 1st year automation technician apprentice: They were mainly using VDE screwdrivers of various sizes. But we also saw lots of hex key L-wrenches with and without color coding. In some cases, shade fitters had constructed their own tools on the basis of an existing standard screwdriver. We saw them using very long screwdriver blades. Silvan Feldmann, 3rd year automation technician apprentice: I mainly saw flat and Phillips screwdrivers in use. But a lot of the tools I saw were home-made special-purpose constructions. Florence Gammeter, 1st year polymechanic apprentice: One of the most frequently seen tools was the screwdriver. We saw them in use with many of the trades. RainBow hex keys were instantly noticeable. We saw hex keys and screwdrivers in a wide range of trades. And on one of the drilling machines we saw our bits in use. Question 5: Which of the trades were using the tools? Nicolas Gerber, 2nd year production mechanic apprentice: I saw various tools in use with the refrigeration technicians. Corinne Gurtner, 2nd year administration trainee: Bricklayers, polymechanics, roller blinds technicians, electricians, bicycle mechanics, technical draftsmen and -women, agricultural machinery technicians Joël Tellenbach, 3rd year polymechanic apprentice: Mainly in the technical trades, polymechanics Question 6: Why exactly was that tool in use? Corinne Gurtner, 2nd year administration trainee: Because the VDE screwdrivers were developed specifically for use by electricians. Dario Flükiger, 1st year automation technician apprentice: That's an easy question to answer: the tools help the participants to complete the required task efficiently and quickly. Silvan Feldmann, 3rd year automation technician apprentice: The shade fitters used a special-purpose tool: a flat-bladed screwdriver with a bend near the tip. This enabled them to fit the individual roller blind parts really easily. Question 7: Was the application of the tool a success? Mario Eymann, 3rd year production mechanic apprentice: I think hex keys are one of the best inventions ever and can be used everywhere. Jonas Widmer, 3rd year administration trainee: The shade fitters used a screwdriver with an extra-long blade so they could tighten the screws in the recesses above the window. Because they were able to fit the shades, the use of that particular tool must be considered a success. Florence Gammeter, 1st year polymechanic apprentice: I am convinced that the application of that tool was successful. Here are some more impressions: #SwissSkills #Berne #Swissmastercraftsmen #Swissmastercraftswomen #Vocationaltraining #trainees #apprentices #workwiththebest #Instructors #EFZ #Apprenticeshipdiplomas #Pros #Speed #Pressure #Concentration
Last chance: Tools valued at 3000 Swiss francs to be won!
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be an inventor: Clever craftswomen and craftsmen frequently modify our products to make handy new inventions. Inventions of this kind are the subject matter of our fourth and last competition this year: You can show the community with a photo and description what you have done with our tools, what new tools you have developed yourself and how they work. The more original the photo, the better! The community will decide on the winner Post the photo and description directly on our competition web page and mobilize your fans to encourage them to vote. Join in – it's worth it! The posting with the most likes will win a toolbox from PB Swiss Tools valued at 3000 Swiss francs. The competition runs from October 1st to 31st, 2018. During this time, you can post your contribution of our competition web page. Then the community has until November 15th, 2018 to vote. Go straight to the competition #140pbst184 #Photo #Competition #Tools #PBSwissTools #Craftswomen #Craftsmen #DIY #Home-madetool #Inventor #workwiththebest
"The atmosphere at the SwissSkills was simply amazing!"
135 trades, 75 competitions: at the SwissSkills 2018, that took place in Bern from 12 to 16 September, around 900 young tradespeople demonstrated their skills. The senior expert had his work cut out For the boatbuilders and boat mechanics this was their first chance to take part in the competitions – and that included Micha Bürgi, Senior Expert, boatbuilder and lecturer at the technical training college in Zofingen. His was the task of formulating the tasks and assessment criteria, making the patterns and procuring the materials. During the competition period, he was responsible for ensuring that the other experts’ appraisals complied with the WorldSkills CIS assessment system so that the ranking on the Saturday was representative and in line with requirements. Micha Bürgi was on hand as the master of the competitions. (photo: PBST) What was his response to the competition? "The atmosphere was electric, both amongst the spectators and the participants. There was plenty of laughter and, despite the fact that it was a competition, the participants helped each other. There was a great feeling of togetherness, even after the competition when we all got together for a while after the prizes had been awarded. There was an atmosphere of familiarity at the event, which had a positive effect on the participants." A boat swing combining wood and plastic Each of the eight boatbuilders was required to build a boat swing using plastic and wood. The five boat mechanics demonstrated a number of skills relating to repairs, servicing and preventive maintenance. But the many members of the public that attended were also able to get to grips with some of the trades: in the MySkills area, both young and old were invited to try their hand at boatbuilding. High-grade results What did the expert feel about the quality produced? "I was positively surprised", reported Micha Bürgi. "The results were of a higher standard than those in the apprentices’ final exams. One of the reasons for that is that these participants had already finished their apprenticeships. But not only that: the atmosphere at the SwissSkills was far more relaxed than in final exams, even though it was a competition." The vocational college lecturer was also very impressed by the event as such. "A lot of time and money is invested in vocational training. The range of trades demonstrated here was tremendous, and the financial investment made by each of the trade areas to make sure their trade was well represented was outstanding." Although all the participants had given their all and produced excellent results, there was only room for three on the podium in each field. The results: Apprenticeship diploma as a boatbuilder 1. Florian Widmer, Bern 2. Andreas Gächter, Oberriet 3. Martin Kämpf, Aeschi 4. Luca Sandon, Zofingen 5. Camillo de Nardis, Zurich 6. Robin Maeder, Bevaix 7. Timon Muster, Einsiedeln 8. Adrien Develay, Trélex Apprenticeship diploma as a boat mechanic 1. Tim Wassmer, Unterentfelden 2. Tobias Oppermann, Konstanz 3. Ivo Eberle, Ermensee 4. Anja-Caroline Urbat, Schönried 5. Benoit Alt, Lentigny Read more Website with all the details and results of the SwissSkills 2018 "We want to create things": Portrait of the “Werftstatt” shipyard owned by Micha Bürgi, Nik Menz and Kurt Neuenschwander Impressions of the SwissSkills 2018 (All photos: Micha Bürgi) At SwissSkills for the first time: the boatbuilders. Eight young boatbuilders with apprentice diplomas took part. Also here for the first time, the boat mechanics. The five participating boat mechanics, proving that it is not only a man’s world. Many members of the public attentively followed the progress of the boat swing. The fascination of boats: There were also plenty of hands-on activities at SwissSkills. The final result: A boat swing. The prize winners among the boatbuilders with apprentice diplomas. The prize winners among the boat mechanics with apprentice diplomas. Satisfied with the competition: the team of boatbuilders and boat mechanics (almost complete).
AO Davos Courses 2019
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Gewerbeausstellung in Sumiswald
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EMAX Asia 2019
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Industrial Automation Fiesta 2019
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