From the idea to standard product

Schmersal’s range covers about 18,000 different products - this number alone already suggests that creative engineers must be active in design and development. In addition, however, the necessary organisational structures have been put into position not only to encourage innovation but also to make it ready for the market quickly - so that Schmersal's customers can profit from new ideas as early as possible.

Innovation management: The development process

Various departments are involved in the development process: marketing and sales formulate the wishes of the market. Product management issues a development order and produces a specification of the requirements together with the design department. Production and planning departments plan the manufacturing equipment needed, parallel to the product development. Quality management produces the quality requirements specific to the particular product.

New development: With speed and security to the finished product

At Schmersal, these sequences are organised on the principle of process orientation. This means that all duties in connection with product development - regardless of which department is responsible - have a structured flow in accordance with the principles of project management. This reduces the factor “time to market” and in addition provides security for the complete development process.

3D CAD/CAM    systems

Design using modern tools

As well as modern structures which encourage innovation, Schmersal's design and development staff also have advanced planning, development and analysing systems at their disposal - for example, the project management software “Artemis” and the 3D CAD/CAM System “Pro Engineer”. Further design tools include software for cinematic simulation, collision tests and 3D tolerance analysis. In the electronic development department, the “Mentor Expedition” system is available for development of the printed-circuit board layouts. Software development is also supported by modern development tools.

Product Testing

Performance testing

All new developments are, of course, subjected to wide-ranging type tests - from EMC testing through to electrical and mechanical life testing - in a well-equipped test department. For the certification of new products to the relevant standards and regulations, Schmersal works together with the responsible committees and certification stations. All new developments are, of course, subjected to wide-ranging type tests - from EMC testing through to electrical and mechanical life testing - in a well-equipped test department. For the certification of new products to the relevant standards and regulations, Schmersal works together with the responsible committees and certification stations. After a thorough examination, the accreditation authority, DATech, has recognised and accredited the laboratory of K.A. Schmersal GmbH as a competent ALPHA testing laboratory.

Customer-specific    modifications

Ready-made: Exactly how the customer wants it

So that the designers could concentrate entirely on new product lines, the (numerous) customised modifications and the further development of existing families of products have been transferred to a separate job area: Modifications. All individual product modifications (e.g. non-standard lead lengths, new contact configurations) are put into effect here. So-called product teams, which work in the immediate vicinity of the production area, carry responsibility and are a combination of staff from the areas design, quality assurance, production planning and Production.

Fast reaction to    customers' wishes

Free for good ideas

This division of the design and development tasks between product development and customised modifications ensures that the personnel in new development can concentrate completely on real innovations and new product lines. In contrast, the inter-disciplinary product teams work very near to the product; it is their job to take account of customers’ suggestions and wishes with minimum delay. They are also responsible for the fast and unbureaucratic processing of complaints and for putting to use the knowledge gained thereby in the optimisation of series production.