Applies surface structures and engravings to injection molding and die casting tools using etching and laser processes.
J. & F. KRÜTH GmbH
Solingen (headquarters) · Solingen (branch plant at the Dahl) · Pfedelbach · São Bernardo do Campo (BR) · Portugal · SET-KRÜTH AustriaNew on Amplifa
Surface structures from Solingen – since 1969
J. & F. KRÜTH GmbH is a family business founded in 1969 and based in Solingen, specializing in the production of tool engravings and surface structures for the plastics industry. Since around 1969 – building on a Solingen engraving tradition – the company combines craftsmanship with fully digital production. Core processes include classic etch engraving, laser etch engraving and 3D laser engraving, complemented by design and development of structures in the company's own design studio, mono- and 2-gloss finishing of nickel shells (NiOn100/NiOn200), glass and sand blasting, polishing work and repair welding. The company mainly works on steel and aluminum tools, which serve as negative molds for, among other things, injection-molded parts for the automotive industry; large tools over 3.5 t can be structured by laser. Customers include OEMs and TIERs such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, VW, suppliers close to Bosch, as well as consumer goods manufacturers. Customers are served worldwide from the headquarters in Solingen and the branch plant at the Dahl, through KRÜTH GmbH Süd in Pfedelbach, and via subsidiaries in Brazil, Portugal and Austria.
- Site
- Solingen
- Processes
- Etch engraving, Laser etch engraving, 3D laser engraving, Glass blasting, Sand blasting, Polishing work, Repair welding, Flat engraving (machining)
- Materials
- Steel, Aluminum, Nickel, Plastic, Glass, Etch engraving, Laser etch engraving, 3D laser engraving
- Certificates
- TISAX, TISAX (information security)
- Founded
- 1969
- Industries
- Automotive industry (OEMs and TIERs), Plastics industry / injection molding, Die casting / toolmaking, Consumer goods, Die casting/toolmaking
- 01
Design and development of surface structures (design studio)
- 02
Etch engraving (classic, with multilayer films or 2-gloss)
- 03
Laser etch engraving and 3D laser engraving
- 04
Gloss finishing (mono/2-gloss, NiOn100/NiOn200)
- 05
Glass and sand blasting
- 06
Polishing, tool optimization and repair welding
- 07
Surface inspection and metrology (laboratory)
Materials and processes
Etch engraving
Classic etching process for applying decor, engravings and structures to steel and aluminum tools.
Laser etch engraving
Laser-based engraving of structures and lettering on steel and aluminum tool surfaces.
3D laser engraving
Three-dimensional laser structuring, also for large tools over 3.5 t; including light-absorbing ERO structures.
Mono- and 2-gloss finishing of nickel shells
Gloss finishing of nickel shells via the NiOn100 and NiOn200 departments.
Glass and sand blasting
Adjusting the surface gloss of tools as the final step of the structuring process.
Polishing work
Manual polishing of steel tools, also as part of mold service and tool optimization.
Repair welding
Repair welding on steel molds, among others at SET-KRÜTH Austria.
Locations
Solingen (headquarters)
DEHeadquarters and production
- Part weight / size
- Large tools over 3.5 t (laser)
- Materials
- Steel, aluminum, nickel
- Laser machines for large tools (2, since 2011/2013)
- High-resolution scanner station (since 2014)
- Laser and printing machines (expanded 2020)
Solingen (branch plant at the Dahl)
DEBranch plant
Pfedelbach
DEKRÜTH GmbH Süd (formerly Hohenloher Formstruktur); surface processing
São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo)
BRKRÜTH do Brasil (subsidiary since 1998)
Portugal
PTProduction site (subsidiary since 2015)
SET-KRÜTH Austria
ATSubsidiary: surfaces for die casting and injection molding tools, tool optimization, mold service, polishing work
- Materials
- Steel
Parts and tools
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etch engravingSurface | – | – | – | – | Steel, Aluminum, Nickel |
| Laser etch engravingSurface | – | – | – | – | Steel, Aluminum |
| 3D laser engravingSurface | – | – | 3.5 t | – | Steel, Aluminum |
| Glass blastingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sand blastingSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Polishing workSurface | – | – | – | – | Steel |
| Repair weldingJoining | – | – | – | – | Steel |
| Flat engraving (machining)Machining | – | – | – | – | Metal, Glass, Plastic |
| Surface inspection with confocal measuring microscopyTesting | – | – | – | – | Plastic, Steel |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser machine | – | – | – | – | Solingen |
| Laser machine for large tools | – | 2 | – | 2011/2013 | Solingen |
| High-resolution scanner station | – | – | – | 2014 | – |
| Printing machines | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality and inspection
Surface inspection is carried out visually on plastic articles and steel tools as well as by digital microscope inspection and confocal measuring microscopy in the company's own laboratory. Sensitive customer data is protected by TISAX certification (information security).
| Evidence | Solingen |
|---|---|
| TISAX (information security) |
History
- 1960
Etch engraving, first steel tools
- 1969
Founding of KRÜTH
- 1990
Etch engraving with multilayer films
- 1992
Mono- and 2-gloss finishing of nickel shells
- 1994
Porcerax II® awarded by the Japanese industrial authority (MITI); acquisition of "Vereinigte Werkstätten"; founding of KRÜTH IMS
- 1998
Opening of KRÜTH do Brasil in São Bernardo near São Paulo
- 2000
Etch engraving with 2-gloss; establishment of the NiOn100 and NiOn200 departments
- 2005
"Living Corporate Culture" award; owner of SET Form-Ätz-Technik
- 2007
Establishment of the laser etch engraving and 3D laser engraving department
- 2011
First laser machine for large tools over 3.5 t
- 2013
Second laser machine for large tools
- 2014
Commissioning of a high-resolution scanner station
- 2015
Establishment of the Portugal production site
- 2017
Founding of the Global Laser Group (GLG)
- 2019
Opening of the branch plant at the Dahl in Solingen
- 2020
Expansion of the machine park (laser and printing machines)
- 2021
Hohenloher Formstruktur Verwaltungs GmbH has been part of the KRÜTH family since 01.01.2021
- 2023
Renamed KRÜTH GmbH Süd as of 01.10.2023