Electroless nickel plating and composite coatings for precision metal components – specialized since 1959.
ATELA SA
NeuchâtelNew on Amplifa
About Atela
ATELA SA was founded in 1959 in Neuchâtel and specializes in the surface treatment of metals, in particular electroless nickel plating (NiP). The company is one of the first licensees of the KANIGEN® process, which revolutionized electroplating in the 1960s and 1970s. The service portfolio includes Kanigen HP, MP and LP with varying phosphorus content as well as composite coatings such as NiP+SiC (Sicanip), NiP+Diamond (Dianip G/C), NiP+PTFE (Lubrinip PTFE), NiP+hBN (Lubrinip hBN) and black electroless nickel plating (Blacknip); precious metal coatings are offered as a complement. The coatings give components enhanced wear protection, tailored friction values and corrosion protection. Fields of application include mechanical engineering (plastic injection molding, textile machinery, pumps, vacuum pumps, compressors, packaging machinery), automotive and motorcycle racing (F1, MotoGP), robotics, energy technology (wind, hydro), aerospace and the watch industry. In addition, ATELA develops Friction Shims (friction spacers) as semi-finished products with Dianip treatment. The team supports customers from the selection through to the execution of the appropriate surface treatment.
- Site
- Neuchâtel
- Processes
- Electroless nickel plating (Nickel-chimique), Kanigen HP (electroless nickel plating, high phosphorus), Kanigen MP (electroless nickel plating, medium phosphorus content), Kanigen LP (electroless nickel plating, low phosphorus), Dianip G (NiP+diamond composite coating), Dianip C (NiP+diamond composite coating), Lubrinip PTFE (NiP+PTFE composite coating), Lubrinip hBN (NiP+hBN composite coating)
- Materials
- Nickel (electroless nickel plating, NiP), SiC (silicon carbide, composite particles), Diamond (composite particles), PTFE (composite particles), hBN (hexagonal boron nitride, composite particles), Precious metals, Electroless nickel plating (Kanigen HP/MP/LP), Sicanip (composite coating)
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001, EnAW target agreement (Energieagentur der Wirtschaft), EnAW target agreement
- Founded
- 1959
- Industries
- Automotive (F1) / motorcycle racing (MotoGP), Robotics, Energy (wind, hydro), Compressors and vacuum pumps, Mechanical engineering (plastic injection molding, textile machinery, pumps,, Aviation
- 01
Consulting on the selection of surface treatment
- 02
Electroless nickel plating (Kanigen HP/MP/LP)
- 03
Composite and precious metal coatings
- 04
Quality inspection
- 05
Friction Shims (semi-finished product with Dianip treatment)
Materials & Processes
Electroless nickel plating (Kanigen HP/MP/LP)
Nickel-phosphorus layers with high, medium or low phosphorus content for wear and corrosion protection.
Sicanip (composite coating)
NiP layer with silicon carbide particles for increased wear resistance.
Dianip G / Dianip C (composite coating)
NiP layer with diamond particles for maximum wear resistance and defined friction properties.
Lubrinip PTFE (composite coating)
NiP layer with PTFE particles for a reduced coefficient of friction.
Lubrinip hBN (composite coating)
NiP layer with hexagonal boron nitride for tribological applications.
Black electroless nickel plating
Dark NiP layer for optical and functional requirements.
Precious metal coatings
Coatings with precious metals for special fields of application.
Locations
Neuchâtel
CHHeadquarters and production site
- Materials
- NiP, NiP+SiC, NiP+Diamant, NiP+PTFE, NiP+hBN, precious metals
Components & Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electroless nickel plating (Nickel-chimique)Surface | – | – | – | – | Metals |
| Kanigen HP (electroless nickel plating, high phosphorus)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kanigen MP (electroless nickel plating, medium phosphorus content)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kanigen LP (electroless nickel plating, low phosphorus)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dianip G (NiP+diamond composite coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP, Diamond |
| Dianip C (NiP+diamond composite coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP, Diamond |
| Lubrinip PTFE (NiP+PTFE composite coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP, PTFE |
| Lubrinip hBN (NiP+hBN composite coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP, hBN |
| Sicanip (NiP+SiC composite coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP, SiC |
| Blacknip (black electroless nickel plating)Surface | – | – | – | – | NiP |
| Precious metal coatingsSurface | – | – | – | – | Precious metals |
| Friction Shims (friction spacers, with DIANIP treatment)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality & Certificates
Since the management buyout in 2019, a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 has been introduced; the certificate was presented following a company-wide SGS audit in April 2021. A quality and environmental policy with continuous improvement, hydropower electricity and an EnAW target agreement for CO2 reduction complement the system.
| Evidence | Neuchâtel |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| EnAW target agreement |
History
- 1959
ATELA founded by Mieczyslaw Osowiecki, Dr. P. B. and Dr. C. B. Osowiecki; license taken for the KANIGEN® electroless nickel plating process.
- 1964
Historical event involving the Osowiecki family (details truncated according to the website).
- 2019
Company acquired by the new management team in October 2019.
- 2021
ISO 9001:2015 certification by SGS, certificate presented in April 2021; followed by recertification in accordance with ISO 14001.