More than connectivity: HUBER+SUHNER’s pioneering injection moulding expertise

Let’s start with standard injection moulding machines. However, “standard” at HUBER+SUHNER never means standard quality. Among other applications, highly precise components for fiber optic connectivity are manufactured here. 

A typical example is the SC housing (connector housing for optical data transmission). These components are produced using a highly complex 16-cavity tool with a partial hot runner system. In mass production, every micrometre of tolerance matters to ensure flawless signal transmission in later network deployments. The production setup enables extremely cost-efficient manufacturing of plastic components with tight tolerances and complex geometries. 

Modern component design clearly trends towards functional integration, where different materials must fulfil different tasks within limited space. This is where multi-component injection moulding (2K injection moulding) shows its full potential. 

At its Herisau site, HUBER+SUHNER operates specialised 2K injection moulding machines that deliver innovative solutions for the highly regulated automotive market. 

For example, for vehicle interiors, the team manufactures a pivot lever that combines an aromatic, high-temperature-resistant polyamide (for extreme mechanical stability) with a soft TPU solution (thermoplastic polyurethane). 

This intelligent material combination effectively reduces unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), thereby enhancing driving comfort.  

In addition to pivot levers, leading automotive suppliers have relied for years on further high-precision injection-moulded components from Herisau, such as load-bearing damping elements for driver seats and highly durable sleeves and housings for steering systems.

When components become so small they are barely visible to the naked eye, micro injection moulding comes into play. In this high-end field, HUBER+SUHNER processes engineering plastics and advanced high-performance materials such as PEEK, PEI, LCP, and PPA. 

Application areas are highly innovative: 

• High-frequency technology: Production of tiny insulators ensuring low-loss transmission of gigahertz signals 
• Watch industry: Microscopic structures and absolute repeatability for mechanical micro components 
• Medical technology & telecommunications: Functional components where miniaturisation and reliability are critical

To guarantee zero-defect quality at this scale, HUBER+SUHNER relies on a fully automated setup. A modern rotary table unit for micro injection moulding, precise handling robots, and 100% inline process control ensure that every single micro component leaves the system defect-free. 

A high-quality injection moulding product is created long before it reaches the machine—starting in the virtual development phase. HUBER+SUHNER acts as a full-service partner, supporting customers from concept through prototyping to global series production. 

Thanks to advanced software and analytical tools in its engineering department, development times and material testing can be significantly reduced.

Engineering department uses various analysis such as: 

• Warp analysis: Simulations calculate deformation and shrinkage tolerances in advance; fibre orientation in reinforced plastics is also analysed to minimise costly tool rework 
• Cooling analysis: Optimised temperature design reduces cooling time, increases cost efficiency, and maximises part quality 
• Tool design & metrology: Development using advanced CAD systems such as Catia V5 R22, supported by state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) for non-destructive quality inspection

With our modern machine park of 26 injection moulding systems and our 30 employees in Herisau, we cover the entire spectrum—from precision and 2K injection moulding to highly specialised micro injection moulding. Whether it is innovative material combinations for the automotive industry or microscopic components for high-frequency technology and watchmaking, we process high-performance plastics with Swiss precision at the micrometre level.

We support you locally and in an uncomplicated way. No matter how complex your plastics technology requirements are, we will find the right solution together. Feel free to contact me anytime.