Watch cases are not only made from bars but also from forged blanks. To manufacture these economically, RP-Uhrgehäuse GmbH uses a BIGLIA turning center B620YS designed by teamtec, Alzenau, with robot-automated part handling. The 15-station turret is equipped with over 30 tools. Up to four driven fourfold holders enable extensive milling and drilling operations, so that the cases come out completely machined from the machine.
Where would you expect the location of a German company named RP-Uhrgehäuse GmbH? Exactly, in Pforzheim, the center of the German jewelry and watch industry. Rolf Koch has been the owner and managing director of the company since 2011, which has a history of over 85 years. He himself gained professional experience in special machine construction before diving into the world of wristwatches and developing a lasting passion for it.
"Wristwatches are so much more than just time indicators," emphasizes Rolf Koch. "My love is for the special watches that are small works of art and show the passion invested in their production. We produce watch cases from stainless steel, titanium, silver, bronze, platinum, or gold, which are precisely made, beautifully shaped, and so high-quality that they could easily be placed in a jewelry box. True works of art."
Modern machines bring a boost
With appropriate commitment, Rolf Koch tackled the restructuring of the watch case manufacturer after the takeover. He recalls: "The machine park was outdated and no longer suitable for economically manufacturing our demanding products in Germany."
To produce these better and faster even in small series, Rolf Koch invested right from the start in a BIGLIA turning center B565YS – equipped with Y-axis, driven tools, two C-axes, and a counter spindle, as well as a 3-meter bar loader and a component discharge via a conveyor belt. "The machine offered the best price-performance ratio compared to other brands and was recommended to me as exceptionally reliable. The spatial proximity to the supplier teamtec was also an important decision factor for us," says Rolf Koch.
With the BIGLIA turning center B565YS and a newly purchased Swiss 5-axis grinding machine, RP-Uhrgehäuse GmbH got on the path to success. Today, the company supplies renowned watch manufacturers primarily in Germany and Europe, but also beyond. Rolf Koch attributes a significant part of the success to his 36 employees: "From product development, through machine programming, to the final polishing tasks, they do truly outstanding work."
A turning center for complete machining
Among the key performers is Hajian S., who has been overseeing the BIGLIA B565YS since 2013 and produces complex parts with undercuts, milling, and drilling. According to company head Rolf Koch, he programs and operates the machine with such meticulousness that it achieves the highest precision and hardly any tolerance fluctuations occur. Thanks to automation with bar loader and discharge conveyor belt, the machine runs around the clock, even on weekends. And it still delivers machining results in a tolerance range of under 0.01 mm.
Building on these experiences, Rolf Koch decided in 2024 to invest in the successor model – a BIGLIA B620YS. He explains: "We manufacture particularly high-quality cases from stamped or forged blanks made of stainless steel, titanium, and bronze. Until now, we have lacked a suitable machine for the automated processing of such insert parts."
Machining forged blanks faster and more efficiently
The production of forged blanks is a competence that only a few watch case manufacturers besides RP possess. The near-net-shape blanks are created in a multiple forging and stamping process with a pressing force of 160 tons. They have a highly compressed, void-free structure, ideal for the later perfectly polished surfaces.
For the precision machining of these blanks, RP-Uhrgehäuse previously required up to five setups on three machines for turning, milling, and grinding.
"This effort needs to be reduced," Rolf Koch was convinced. He envisioned a largely complete machining process on one machine, with automated handling of the raw and finished parts.
Such a solution was ultimately offered to him by Claudio Lista, Sales Manager of teamtec: "Our BIGLIA B620YS is a turning center that is ideally suited for demanding bar and chuck machining. Its highly dynamic motor spindles and the 15-station tool turret enable both powerful turning and milling operations."
Lista particularly highlights the turret, which contains a semi-direct drive, meaning it only requires one flange and no further deflection. The water-cooled motor features integrated oil/air minimal quantity lubrication and drives the tools at 6000 min-1. "We can equip the tool positions with driven multiple holders, providing the user with a large number of different milling and drilling tools. This allows him to machine both sides of the cases at the main and counter spindle."
Everything from a single source
teamtec has been active as the general representative of the Italian CNC lathe manufacturer BIGLIA in Germany for over 25 years. However, the Alzenau machining specialists focus not only on the machine but on the complete manufacturing process.
As a system partner, they offered a docked automation cell in addition to the turning center, where a robot takes over the part handling, including washing and measuring tasks. Claudio Lista emphasizes: "From us, the customer gets everything from a single source – from consulting on machine selection to optimizing the machining strategy to the automated production system, including training and service."
For Rolf Koch and his machining team, the offer was perfect. They chose the BIGLIA B620YS almost fully equipped – with Y-axis, counter spindle, and additional details such as a suction system and fire extinguishing system, as it operates with oil lubrication. A KNOLL processing system ensures the cleaning and tempering of the oil. 'This was important to us for two reasons,' says Rolf Koch.
'For our precision machining, the machine must maintain a constant temperature. After downtimes, we reach this faster with a pre-warmed lubricant. And the filter removes even the finest chips from the oil, which is noticeable in improved surfaces.'
Driven multiple holders master extensive drilling and milling operations
A highlight is the equipment of the turret with multiple holders for driven tools, specifically developed for RP watch cases. 'We discussed our requirements with teamtec and recognized clear advantages in multiple holders,' explains Rolf Koch. 'Depending on the application, we use up to four tool holders in the turret, each equipped with four driven spindles.
This makes it easier for the operator to set up and increases precision.' According to Hajian S., who now also oversees the new B620 alongside the BIGLIA B565, this concept has proven itself for watch cases and the required cutting performance. 'If I distribute centering, drilling, threading, and reaming across four units in one holder, then I have very short paths and no heat buildup.'
Automation – simple, robust, reliable
The BIGLIA B620YS operates particularly efficiently due to the automation realized by teamtec partner ND Technik, Faulbach, which enables low-operator operation overnight and on weekends. The core element is a robotic arm placed in a docked automation cell. It loads the machine with blanks transported into the cell on a conveyor belt.
Additionally, it handles the change from front to back processing and finally places the finished part on a belt leading out of the cell. Washing and measuring the parts are also part of its tasks. 'The system is designed with robust mechanical elements and operates extremely reliably,' confirms Hajian S. 'I also learned to handle the robot quickly. One and a half days of training and a bit of practice, then it's no problem.'
Rolf Koch is convinced that his investment will pay off in a short time. 'This manufacturing cell creates new possibilities for processing complex insert parts, allowing us to expand our range of offerings. Additionally, we achieve very high precision and surface quality, which not only makes our polishers very happy. And in the end, it delights the customers who receive a perfect piece of jewelry for their wrist from us.'
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