BEYOND SURFACES

in a defined testing window. A test algorithm calculates a density value from this. If a compo- nent exceeds this limit, it is sorted out,” explains Patrick Donner, technical project manager at Oerlikon Balzers in Stollberg. Cleanliness is the be-all and end-all The coating quality — and thus the reject rate — is decisively influenced by cleanliness, both of the component itself and in the production environment in general. A major contribution to this is made by the special loading unit, which automatically loads the coating racks with the nozzle needles. As with the automated inspection and packaging in transport trays, this is done in a clean room that was specially built for the project because of the high quality requirements. “We are enthusiastic about the project outcome and the performance of the newly designed test facility. As a consequence, we can now dispense with the previous in-house inspections. The cooperation of the partners involved in this project was exemplary,” states Olaf Schulz, responsible for injector project purchasing at Vitesco Technologies. The knowledge gained by the three companies during the test facility’s con- struction is already being used to develop a further project for injector components with similarly demanding technological objectives. › 40,000 employees at over 50 locations › Headquarters: Hanover, Germany › Revenue: 7.7 billion (2018) Vitesco Technologies, formerly (until September 2019) the Continental Powertrain Division, brings together the full spectrum of Continental’s drivetrain technology expertise. Vitesco Technologies is headquartered in Regensburg, Germany, and develops innovative, efficient powertrain technologies for all types of vehicle. Their portfolio includes 48-volt electrification solutions, electric drives, and power electronics for hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. Furthermore, the product range counts electronic controls, sensors and actuators as well as solutions for exhaust after-treatment. Olaf Schulz (Vitesco), Harald Schröder (Oerlikon Balzers), and Dr. Ulrich Dietel (CEO of GPP) in front of the newly designed inspection system. Beyond SURFACeS 02|2020 38