Digitalization in Precision Manufacturing
How Kurt Eberle Future-Proofs Its Production with Quality Miners
Anyone working in industries such as automotive, medical technology, or hydraulics knows that precision isn’t optional — it’s a prerequisite. For Kurt Eberle GmbH & Co. KG, a specialist in demanding precision turned parts and assemblies, it was therefore clear that digitalizing production processes had to keep pace with the company’s high quality standards. Together with digitalization partner Quality Miners, this project was successfully implemented.
“Our previous systems could no longer keep up with the increased requirements,” explains Rainer Weninger, Technical Managing Director and co-owner. The old solutions reached their limits especially in data acquisition and process analysis. To make well-founded decisions on process optimization, a new digital infrastructure had to be built — intelligent, integrated, and scalable.
Step by Step Toward Smart Manufacturing
Two Mid-Sized Companies, One Vision
The choice of project partner fell on Quality Miners, a fellow mid-sized company — a decision made as equals. Both companies pursue practical, solution-oriented approaches and share a focus on long-term technological capability. The goal was to introduce a system that seamlessly integrates CAQ, machine data acquisition (MDA), and maintenance while offering a stable connection to the existing ERP system (FEPA).
Gentle Integration Instead of Disruptive Overhaul
Instead of a complete system changeover, the company opted for a step-by-step migration that allowed existing components, such as high-quality Datafox terminals, to remain in use. Machines without data interfaces were made IoT-capable using MOXA counters. Communication between the systems runs on the open OPC UA standard, which significantly simplifies interoperability.
Data That Creates Value
One highlight of the new system is the central consolidation of production and quality data. Time and quantity figures feed directly into the ERP system, enabling well-founded REFA-based analyses and opening up new potential for quality monitoring. Production Manager Thomas Zimmermann sums it up: “Today we always have a clear overview and can respond immediately.”
Modular CAQ System Based on IATF 16949
The new CAQ system was developed in line with the requirements of the IATF 16949 standard. It covers FMEA, inspection planning, SPC, complaint management, and calibration and gauge control. Traceability of quality-relevant information is ensured throughout — a benefit not only for internal quality assurance but also for external audits.
Quantity-Based Quality Controls:
Precision in Sync with Production
By introducing quantity-based inspection logic — instead of fixed time intervals — the inspection strategy could be aligned with actual production output. Machine status data enables automatic inspection sequences after setup changes or at shift changeovers. At the same time, statistical process control (SPC) benefits from more precise, real-time data.
Digital Maintenance – Full Transparency for Every Machine
Every machine now has a digital life-cycle record, in which maintenance and inspections are fully documented.
For audits, this means maximum transparency.
As a next step, maintenance planning is to be controlled based on both output quantity and time — a further step toward condition-based maintenance (predictive maintenance).
Sustainable, Scalable, Future-Oriented
The modular system from Quality Miners reduces hardware overhead, increases transparency, and improves the controllability of production.
The architecture is fully scalable — keeping Kurt Eberle open to future developments, such as automatic process feedback or integrated document management.
“With the solution from Quality Miners, we’ve laid the foundation to sustainably optimize our production, quality assurance, and machine availability,” summarizes Rainer Weninger.
Success Story for Download
You’ll find all the key information on digital quality assurance and production at KURT EBERLE summarized concisely in our success story.
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m.schaefer@quality-miners.de
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