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    ESCATEC have a long history of providing design and manufacturing solutions to world-renowned OEMs. We realise their ideas, from concept to delivery to after-sales service, and offer them the specific solutions they need.

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    ESCATEC partners with numerous major OEM brands across a wide range of market segments. We have helped OEMs in a variety of sectors such as; Industrial Electronics; Medical, Healthcare & Life-sciences; Mobility & Transportation; IoT & Connected Devices.

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    ESCATEC has a global footprint with production facilities in the UK, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Malaysia. We have the capacity, expertise, and sector experience to better serve customers across a broader range of industries.

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    Innovate

    You are an inventor. You have the idea, the concept, the vision of what you want to create. So, together, we Innovate. Through our design and development and NPI processes, we take your idea and make it a reality by turning it into a marketing leading product.

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    Whatever product or market, ESCATEC is a truly global company with sites across Europe and Asia that use the latest technology. We seamlessly transition from prototyping to volume manufacturing so you can Scale and meet the needs of your market.

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    Demand for your product is strong but you know it’s only a matter of time before the competition start to try and catch up. You’re not looking to standstill, you’re a market leader, and that’s where the ‘Repeat’ stage of the ESCATEC process kicks in.

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    CASE STUDY
    blickfeld_case_study

    Blickfeld - Industry-first smart 3D LiDAR sensor

    Blickfeld is a German tech company specialising in cutting-edge LiDAR solutions. Their products are used in various industries, including security, industrial automation, and crowd analytics, where precise and reliable data collection is crucial. 

    Here’s how ESCATEC supported the development of their Qb2 device, the world’s first 3D LiDAR sensor, with software stack and WiFi connectivity all in one device.

     

    Blickfeld creates a smarter, safer and more efficient world

      

    Blickfeld creates innovative hardware and software perception solutions, generating actionable data to analyse, optimise and automate the world around us. The Qb2 is their latest, and most sophisticated LiDAR sensor to date.

     

    Compared to their previous offerings, the Qb2 offers advanced functionalities and performance parameters including enhanced adaptable field of view (FoV), detection range and scan pattern, plus higher resolution and accuracy.

     

    Blickfeld Qb2 - 3D LiDAR sensor


    Front and back of the Qb2

     

    Qb2: a 3D sensor that can see more clearly

     

    But achieving that leap in field of view and resolution required close collaboration with MOEMS experts at ESCATEC to get just right.

     

    "To deliver on these new requirements Blickfeld needed a partner capable of not only handling the complex micro-assembly process required for their next generation beam deflector but also support our transition from prototype to mass production." Florian Bindges, Head of Operations at Blickfeld.

     

    High-resolution point cloud recorded with the Blickfeld Qb2
    The Challenge

     

    High-precision micro-assembly

     

    The core of Blickfeld’s Qb2 3D sensor is a beam deflector, a highly sensitive component that requires extremely precise assembly. The tolerances involved are in the range of microns, making this task a major challenge for any manufacturer.

     

    ESCATEC beam detector for Blickfeld

     

    Beam detector

     

    PCB design complexity

     

    The beam deflector’s PCB (Printed Circuit Board) features unique cavities and structures that required an innovative approach to design and manufacturing. The difficulty lay in maintaining the parallelism and alignment of the PCB to the MEMS actuators, which was critical to the sensor’s performance.

     

    Industrialisation and scalability

     

    Blickfeld needed to ensure that their design could be scaled from a prototype into a manufacturable product, ready for market. This required not only additional expertise in micro-assembly but also robust processes to ensure quality and repeatability at higher production volumes.

     

    Why Blickfeld chose ESCATEC

     

    Blickfeld approached ESCATEC due to their extensive experience in micro-optical assembly.

     

    "We chose ESCATEC because they offer a comprehensive range of electronic manufacturing technologies, including deep milling (3D-PCB), chip-on-board, wire bonding, precision alignment of micro-mechanical components, and adhesive bonding, all under one roof. Working closely with ESCATEC, we developed a tailored in-line testing solution specific to our application. Their collaborative approach and expert knowledge were invaluable in co-developing the production process, making ESCATEC's expertise essential for the successful industrialisation of our product." Dr. Markus Rauscher, Head of Development - Blickfeld.

     

    Additionally, ESCATEC’s strong track record in handling high-precision manufacturing challenges assured Blickfeld of their ability to meet their complex requirements.

    The Solution

     

    ESCATEC offered full support from design to production.

     

    Enhanced Micro-Assembly Capabilities

     

    "ESCATEC’s engineering team implemented advanced micro-assembly techniques to achieve the necessary alignment and parallelism within the Qb2’s MEMS components. This involved customising the die bonder with additional UV light capabilities, allowing for precise placement and securing of components during assembly.” Wolfgang Plank, Head of MOEMS R&D - ESCATEC.

     

    PCB design and manufacturing

     

    ESCATEC worked closely with Blickfeld to optimise the PCB design, ensuring it could be manufactured to the required specifications. 

     

    Prototyping and volume production

     

    ESCATEC supported Blickfeld through the prototyping phase, providing feedback and making necessary adjustments to the design to ensure manufacturability. 

     

    Once the design was finalised, ESCATEC transitioned to volume production, ensuring that each unit met the high-quality standards required by Blickfeld.

    The Results

     

    Working with ESCATEC, Blickfeld successfully brought the Qb2 LiDAR sensor to market, a product that now plays a critical role in a range of  applications. 

     

    ESCATEC’s contributions enabled the successful scaling of production, with over 10,000 units manufactured annually, and more than 25,000 units supplied since the project’s inception. 

     

    The Qb2 is now recognised for its innovative design and reliable performance, through the engineering and manufacturing support provided by ESCATEC.

     

    Blickfeld’s Qb2 sensor is a testament to the power of collaboration in tackling complex technological challenges. By leveraging ESCATEC’s expertise in micro-assembly and their robust industrialisation processes, Blickfeld was able to transform a sophisticated prototype into a market-ready product.