Special machine building and vision systems for precision applications from Gais, Appenzell.
esp engineering gmbh
Gais (CH-9056), Appenzell AusserrhodenNew on Amplifa
The Company Behind the Precision
esp engineering gmbh is a privately owned mechatronics company from Gais in Appenzell, founded in 2006 and operating under its current name since 2008. The company develops and builds special machines, vision systems and measuring machines with performance in the micrometre range, covering mechanics, electronics and software from a single source. Its range of services includes concept development, process development, manufacturing, assembly, small-batch series production as well as maintenance, spare parts supply and technology transfer with complete documentation. Its own products are the FAOSI inspection system for automated surface analysis according to ISO 10110-7, the compact FAOSI Head vision sensor and the modular FAMOS machine platform. Reference projects include large-area microstructure replication (imprint) on substrates up to 1740 × 1300 mm² with ±5 µm axis accuracy as well as wafer replication systems with ±1 µm placement accuracy. Customers come from optics, semiconductor and microfabrication, medical technology, sensor technology and metrology as well as photonics and lasers; over 100 projects have been realised, with operations throughout the entire DACH region.
- Site
- CH-9056 Gais
- Processes
- Special machine building (custom machine building), Image processing / vision systems (positioning, alignment, inspection), Process development, Series production (small series), Training (esp ACADEMY), Measuring machine building (e.g. tooth flank characterisation, ±1 µm repeatability target), Microstructure replication / imprint replication (dispensing, pressing, curing, optical inspection), Automated surface analysis (FAOSI inspection system, evaluation according to ISO 10110-7, scratches,
- Materials
- Special machine building, Image processing / vision systems, Metrology / machine measurement, Microstructure replication (imprint), Series production, Training (esp ACADEMY)
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, Measurement capability (Gage R&R), Machine acceptance according to ISO 230-2, Surface evaluation according to ISO 10110-7
- Founded
- 2006
- Industries
- Optics, Semiconductors & Microfabrication, Medical Technology, Sensor Technology & Metrology, Photonics & Lasers
- 01
Enquiry and specification
- 02
Concept development
- 03
Process development
- 04
Design (mechanics, electronics, software)
- 05
Manufacturing and procurement
- 06
Assembly and commissioning
- 07
Interferometric measurement according to ISO 230-2
- 08
Acceptance (FAT)
- 09
Documentation and technology transfer
- 10
Maintenance, spare parts and support
Processes and Competences
Special machine building
Development and construction of custom precision machines from the first sketch to the ready-to-use system.
Image processing / vision systems
Positioning, alignment and inspection with calibrated cameras, e.g. with ±1 µm placement accuracy on glass wafers.
Metrology / machine measurement
Axis, gantry and stiffness measurements, repeatability in the ±1 µm range, acceptance according to ISO 230-2.
Microstructure replication (imprint)
Dispensing, pressing, curing and optical inspection of micro- and nanostructures on substrates 0.5–5 mm thick.
Series production
Small-batch production and process support following validated system development.
Training (esp ACADEMY)
Training sessions, e.g. on Quality Function Deployment and precision engineering methods.
Locations
Gais
CHHeadquarters: development and manufacturing
- Lot size
- Single systems up to small series
- Materials
- Special machines, vision systems, measuring machines
- FAOSI inspection system
- FAOSI Head vision sensor
- FAMOS machine platform
- Measuring equipment according to ISO 230-2 (interferometric)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special machine building (custom machine building)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Image processing / vision systems (positioning, alignment, inspection)Inspection | ±1 µm placement accuracy | – | – | – | glass wafer |
| Process developmentEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Series production (small series)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Training (esp ACADEMY)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Measuring machine building (e.g. tooth flank characterisation, ±1 µm repeatability target)Inspection | ±1 µm (repeatability, target) | – | – | – | – |
| Microstructure replication / imprint replication (dispensing, pressing, curing, optical inspection)Plastics | ±5 µm axis accuracy over 1600 × 1400 mm²; ±5 arcsec | 1740 mm × 1300 mm | – | – | film, sheet (substrates 0.5 to 5 mm thick) |
| Automated surface analysis (FAOSI inspection system, evaluation according to ISO 10110-7, scratches,Inspection | – | – | – | – | – |
| Machine measurement / metrology with own vision systems (axis, gantry, stiffness measurement)Inspection | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection system (automated surface analysis) | esp engineering FAOSI | – | Measuring time 0.3 s per image; evaluation according to ISO 10110-7; magnification 1x | – | Gais |
| Vision sensor | esp engineering FAOSI Head | – | compact design for confined installation situations; evaluation logic according to ISO 10110-7 | – | Gais |
| Machine platform / workstation system | esp engineering FAMOS | – | modular, expandable, linkable; table version up to full enclosure; use in laboratory, production, | – | Gais |
Additional services
Quality and Measurement
Acceptance tests and measurements are carried out according to standards, including positioning accuracy and repeatability according to ISO 230-2 (interferometrically verified) and surface evaluation according to ISO 10110-7; measurement capability is demonstrated with Gage R&R evaluations. A formal certification (e.g. ISO 9001) is not documented on the company's web pages.
| Evidence | Gais |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| Measurement capability (Gage R&R) | |
| Machine acceptance according to ISO 230-2 | |
| Surface evaluation according to ISO 10110-7 |
Milestones
- 2006
Founded as a privately owned mechatronics company in Gais, Appenzell.
- 2008
Trading as esp engineering gmbh.