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Whether in medical technology, drive technology, or aerospace – wherever the highest precision is required, balancing machines from PMB Präzisionsmaschinenbau Bobertag GmbH are used. To ensure that every system can be individually tailored to customer requirements, the company has relied on MiniTec’s modular profile system for many years.
“Good Vibrations” was the title of a famous Beach Boys song from the 1960s – a song that celebrated a positive, laid-back attitude toward life. In the world of engineering, however, the opposite is true: vibrations are rarely a good thing. Even the slightest imbalances can significantly impair the precision, energy efficiency, smooth operation, and service life of rotating components. This is precisely where PMB Präzisionsmaschinenbau Bobertag GmbH from Kaiserslautern – comes in. The company develops high-precision balancing machines that can reliably optimize even the most demanding components. To ensure these machines can be designed to be as flexible as they are precise, the MiniTec profile system has served as their foundation for many years.
Founded in 2008, PMB has established itself as a specialist in high-precision balancing technology. Rather than focusing on rapid growth in size, Managing Director Dr. Manfred Bobertag deliberately prioritizes specialization and technological leadership. The company’s customers are no longer limited to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but come from Europe, North America, and, increasingly, Asia as well.
Dr. Manfred Bobertag manufactures with his company balancing machines for a wide variety of applications.
The range of applications is impressive. Among other things, PMB systems are used to balance rotors for electric motors, fans, machine tool spindles, and dental turbines. At the same time, aerospace companies and international development projects also rely on the expertise from Kaiserslautern. For example, reaction wheels for satellites and components for liquid-fuel rocket engines are processed on PMB systems.
The company’s particular strength lies not only in measurement technology but also in the individual customization of each machine to meet the customer’s requirements. “It’s very important for us to listen to the customer: What exactly do they want to do with it? What exactly do they want to balance? Only then can we deliver exactly the solution that’s needed,” says Dr. Bobertag, describing the company’s commitment.
Depending on the application, a wide variety of methods are used to correct imbalance – ranging from milling or drilling to the placement of minute balancing weights, to high-precision laser processes, and to proprietary technologies for applying the finest adhesive droplets. PMB is now among the technological pioneers, particularly in the field of laser-based balancing systems.
Even in high-tech laser balancing systems: MiniTec components re the basis.
The high degree of customization required for these machines places special demands on their design. Traditional steel frames proved too inflexible early on. That’s why PMB sought a modular alternative – and found it in MiniTec. “We started with bolted and welded steel frames and very quickly realized that they didn’t provide the flexibility we needed for customized customer solutions,” recalls Dr. Bobertag. “Gradually, we switched more and more to MiniTec. For at least 15 years now, all of our frames, safety guards, doors, and even our transport carts have been made from MiniTec profiles.”
Today, the profile system forms the basis of every PMB system. Thanks to the extensive modular system, a wide variety of requirements can be met without the need for complex custom designs. “The product range is incredibly comprehensive. We get virtually all the components we need from a single source. This means we don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time; instead, we can quickly implement the solution that’s optimal for each customer.”
The basis: MiniTec profile technology. On top of that: high-tech components, such as air bearings for balancing tool clamping systems.
PMB particularly values the MiniTec system’s connection technology. Since no drilling is required, all structures can be modified at any time. “If we realize we need to make a change, we simply modify the structure and continue using all the parts. This saves time and material and gives us tremendous flexibility,” explains Dr. Bobertag.
This flexibility pays off long after delivery. For example, a system that was several years old and had originally been delivered to Shanghai was recently completely modernized. Thanks to its modular design, it could be easily disassembled, adapted to new requirements, and reassembled – without causing any damage to the structure.
PMB also benefits from the modular system in the development phase. All MiniTec components are stored as standard parts in Autodesk Inventor. This makes parts lists, cost estimates, and ordering processes virtually automatic. This saves valuable design time while ensuring a high degree of planning reliability.
A spindle test stand under construction. Because it is largely built from MiniTec components, it can still be reconfigured even years later.
For PMB, its partnership with MiniTec is just as important as the technology itself. Today, orders are placed almost exclusively through the online store. Since MiniTec delivers reliably within a few days, the company can almost entirely do without maintaining inventory.
“We keep virtually no profiles in stock; instead, we order as needed. This has worked extremely reliably for years and saves us significant storage costs,” says Dr. Bobertag.
He particularly highlights the personal service: “Even if something doesn’t arrive exactly as ordered, we can immediately reach knowledgeable contacts at MiniTec. Problems are resolved quickly and easily. That’s by no means a given these days.”
Dr. Manfred Bobertag is satisfied – constant adjustments to meet customer needs are easier with the MiniTec construction kit.
For the coming years, PMB sees ever-greater potential in modular machines. Development times for new customer products are shrinking rapidly worldwide. Balancing systems are often built for products that are still in the early stages of development. “In the past, our customers often had seven years to develop a product; today, they sometimes have only half a year,” explains Dr. Bobertag. “That’s why our machines must also remain flexible and be adaptable to new requirements at any time.”
This is precisely where he sees a decisive advantage of the MiniTec profile system. The modular design makes it possible to assemble systems quickly, reconfigure them at any time, and easily integrate future developments. With its specialization in high-precision balancing technology and its long-standing partnership with MiniTec, PMB therefore considers itself well-equipped for the future. Because one thing is certain: In music, “Good Vibrations” may be a global hit – but in mechanical engineering, the opposite will generally continue to hold true.
Stages of evolution: On the left, the previous model, still with a sheet-metal hood. On the right, a current machine with an adjustable protective hood made from MiniTec components.
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