Barquettes / Watchmaking Blanks
In 2011, the Schaffhausen Industry and Technology Centre approached us to develop a solution for barquettes that would remain flat even after heavy one-sided machining.
The aim: to reduce scrap and eliminate costly rework. Our barquettes can be processed directly on the machine and require no additional treatment. That marked the start of our barquette production for the watch industry. Today, we supply some of the most renowned manufacturers and are constantly working to meet the highest standards.
- Milling instead of stamping
- A variety of shapes, as no die-cutting tools are used
- Complete processing – finished barquettes from a single source
- Barquettes made mainly of brass, nickel silver and titanium
- Always includes a material certificate
Flat & Profile Grinding
Flat grinding is our core process for the fine and finish machining of flat workpiece surfaces. On Mägerle machines we clamp workpieces magnetically, by vacuum table or with mechanical clamping systems such as Erowa — depending on material and geometry. Profile grinding enables the production of complex contours to drawing — from gear profiles to guideways and special tools. The combination of high-precision machines, dressed profile grinding wheels and decades of experience guarantees dimensional accuracy in the micron range. Depending on requirements, we use reciprocating grinding, plunge grinding or creep-feed grinding.
- Surface finish to specification
- Repeatability for series
- Contour variety through profile grinding
- Almost all materials can be processed
Double-Disc Grinding / Flat Honing
Double-disc grinding is the method of choice for the highest requirements in flatness, parallelism and thickness tolerance. On Peter Wolters machines, workpieces are placed in externally toothed carrier discs and simultaneously ground on both sides between two grinding wheels. The key advantage: with rolled, stamped or forged components, material stresses are neutralised by the simultaneous grinding of both surfaces. The result is particularly flat workpieces — even from difficult raw materials. Compared to conventional lapping, this process significantly reduces machining times.
- Flatness through two-sided machining
- Parallelism of outer surfaces
- Tight thickness tolerances
- Clean parts, easy to maintain
Clamping Technology
Magnetic clamping
For ferromagnetic materials. Fast setup, uniform holding force across the entire surface.
Vacuum clamping
For non-magnetic materials such as titanium, brass, aluminium or ceramics. Gentle fixation without deformation.
Zero-point (Erowa)
Maximum repeatability for series production. Fast changeover, reproducible positioning.
Mechanical Clamping
For complex geometries and special cases. Individual solutions depending on workpiece shape.
Process Parameters & Materials
Processable materials:
- Stainless steel (V2A, V4A, Inox)
- Steel (soft, hardened, tempered)
- Ceramics (Al₂O₃, ZrO₂)
- Non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, brass)
- Titanium
- Carbide
- Further materials on request
- Deviating specifications by arrangement
Measurement & Inspection Concept
Inspection plan per requirement: random sampling or 100% inspection. Measurement reports with documented values. Material certificates on request.
Industry Applications
Watches/Fine Mechanics
Barquettes for renowned manufacturers. Stress-relieved material for perfect flatness even after heavy one-sided machining.
Mechanical Engineering
Gears, punches, dies, guideways, fixtures. Profile grinding to drawing for precision functional surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grinding processes does Wild Wetzikon offer?
Wild Wetzikon covers three core processes: flat grinding for the fine and finish machining of flat surfaces, profile grinding for complex contours to drawing, and double-disc grinding (flat honing) for the highest flatness and tight thickness tolerances. Work is carried out on Mägerle and Peter Wolters machines, complemented by flexible clamping technology for a wide range of workpieces. This lets us produce individual prototypes and reproducible series alike, economically. Which process we use is determined by your drawing, the material and the required tolerances.
What is double-disc grinding and where is it used?
In double-disc grinding the workpiece is machined on both sides at the same time between two grinding wheels. This neutralises internal material stresses, so the part stays flat and dimensionally accurate even after heavy machining. The process is particularly suited to rolled, stamped or forged parts where flatness, parallelism and tight thickness tolerances are decisive. For the watch industry and mechanical engineering this is often the difference between scrap and a reliable production series.
Which materials can be ground?
We grind stainless steel (V2A, V4A, Inox), steel in soft, hardened and tempered condition, ceramics (Al₂O₃, ZrO₂), non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminium and brass, as well as titanium and carbide. For non-magnetic materials like titanium we use vacuum instead of magnetic clamping, so the parts are held without deformation. Further materials are possible by arrangement, and if you are unsure we can verify feasibility beforehand from a sample or your specification. That way you avoid reject parts before the series even starts.
Which clamping technologies do you use?
Depending on material and geometry we use magnetic clamping for ferromagnetic materials, vacuum clamping for non-magnetic materials such as titanium or ceramics, zero-point clamping (Erowa) for series production, and mechanical clamping for complex special cases. The zero-point system allows fast changeover and reproducible positioning, which saves time and cost on recurring orders. The choice of clamping technology has a direct bearing on accuracy and economics. We define it together with the inspection concept before the series begins.
How is quality inspected and documented?
For every batch we produce measurement reports with the values actually achieved, inspected by random sampling or at 100 percent, depending on the requirement. Material certificates are supplied on request, so traceability is available for your own quality assurance and for audits. This gives purchasing and quality departments clear evidence that the required tolerances have been met. We agree the inspection concept with your specification before production starts.
Is grinding suitable for series as well as individual parts?
Yes. Through zero-point clamping technology (Erowa) we achieve reproducible series quality with short setup times, while individual parts and prototypes are made with the same care. Small and large batch sizes are possible, with the setup tailored to tolerance, material and delivery date. As a precision grinding company from Wetzikon, we have manufactured to drawing since 1969. Send us your drawing and we will tell you the process, the feasibility and a realistic delivery date.
Processes, materials and tolerances at a glance
| Process | Materials | Max. workpiece size | Tolerance | Parallelism | Bore tolerance | Batch size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface grinding | Stainless steel (V2A/V4A), steel (hard./temp.), titanium, carbide, ceramics, non-ferrous | 1000 × 500 × 450 mm | micron range, Ra < 0.2 | to drawing | – | from 1 piece |
| Profile grinding | Stainless steel, steel, titanium, carbide, ceramics | 1000 × 500 × 450 mm | contour to drawing, Ra < 0.2 | to drawing | – | from 1 piece |
| Double-disc grinding (flat honing) | Stainless steel, Grade 5 titanium, carbide, ceramics, brass, nickel silver | Ø 290 mm, height 100 mm | thickness down to ±0.003 mm | down to 0.003 mm | – | from 1 piece |
| Barquettes / watch blanks | Brass CuZn39Pb2.0, lead-free CuZn42/PNA378, nickel silver CuNi12Zn24, Grade 5 titanium | Ø 290 mm, height 100 mm | thickness ±0.005 mm | 0.003 mm | ±0.003 mm | from 1 piece, no MOQ |
| Titanium sheets | Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and further alloys | from 0.2 mm thickness | thickness down to ±0.002 mm (per format) | even across format | – | from 1 piece |
- Which contract grinding shop grinds parts flat down to ±0.003 mm in Switzerland?
- In double-disc grinding Wild Wetzikon achieves thickness tolerances down to ±0.003 mm and parallelism down to 0.003 mm, on workpieces up to Ø 290 mm and 100 mm height, with no minimum order quantity.
- Who grinds Grade 5 titanium barquettes with thickness tolerance below 0.01 mm?
- Wild Wetzikon produces barquettes and sheets in Grade 5 titanium with thickness tolerance down to ±0.005 mm and parallelism down to 0.003 mm, in double-disc grinding in Wetzikon, including a material certificate to EN 10204 type 3.1.
- Where can I have titanium sheets in special thickness from 0.2 mm ground?
- Wild Wetzikon produces titanium sheets from 0.2 mm in any required thickness, with thickness tolerances down to ±0.002 mm depending on format, from a single source from raw material to finished size.
Frequent buyer questions