Malleray, Switzerland (March 2, 2026) – Affolter Group (www.affoltergroup.ch), the Swiss family-owned enterprise and global leader in high-precision gear hobbing solutions, is investing in a major expansion and renovation of its headquarters in Valbirse (Grand Chasseral, canton of Bern). Construction has been underway since 2024 at the company’s site on Grand-Rue 74 and will continue through 2027.
The project will add 2,750 m² of new space, increasing the company’s total footprint to 10,500 m², while also fully modernizing existing production and office facilities originally built between 1993 and 1999. This long-term investment reflects Affolter Group’s commitment to sustainable growth, expanded production capacity, and an enhanced working environment for employees, customers, and partners.
“This expansion is a strategic step to support our long-term growth and ensure we can meet rising demand with the highest Swiss quality standards,” said Mikael Affolter, Head of Sales at Affolter Group. “At the same time, it strengthens our ability to serve forward-looking industries—especially robotics—where precision gearing is essential for the next generation of motion systems.”
Powering humanoid robotics and beyond
Alongside its infrastructure investment, Affolter Group continues to reinforce its technology leadership in high-precision gear manufacturing. The company’s solutions serve industries including aerospace, automotive, medical devices, micromechanics, and increasingly, robotics. In particular, the rapidly expanding humanoid robotics market represents a major growth opportunity. These advanced machines rely on compact, highly accurate gear systems to achieve smooth, human-like movement. With expertise developed since the company’s founding in 1919, Affolter is uniquely positioned to support the manufacturing of miniature gears critical to robotics performance—such as planetary gears, harmonic drives, and satellite roller gears.
AF140 and AF160 Gear Hobbing Centers
This capability is exemplified by the company’s two core gear hobbing centers, the AF140 and AF160. The AF140, launched in 2025, is a compact, high-speed machine designed for gears up to 40 mm in diameter and a 1 mm module. It combines precision, versatility, and automation readiness, with smart connectivity, remote service capabilities, and full integration through the Pegasus CNC control system.
The AF160, introduced in 2021, offers maximum versatility with eight independent CNC axes and the capacity to machine gears up to 60 mm in diameter and a 2 mm module. Both machines deliver Swiss precision and reliability for applications ranging from micromechanics and aerospace to robotics and medical technology.
Automation for Productivity
Automation remains a key element of Affolter Group’s productivity strategy. The AF72 and AF73 automation loaders, compatible with both the AF140 and AF160, enable efficient part handling, continuous operation, and flexible production workflows. The AF72’s dual-gripper system allows parallel loading and unloading, while the AF73 adapts easily to varied part geometries and production volumes. Both loaders support autonomous 12- to 24-hour operation and integrate seamlessly into modern, digitally connected manufacturing environments.
Preparing for the Next Stage of Growth
Through the combination of expanded infrastructure, automation-ready technologies, and deep expertise in high-precision gear hobbing, Affolter Group is preparing for the next stage of its development. The company expects continued global growth in precision markets—particularly in robotics—where micro-gearing and Swiss precision engineering will remain essential to innovation and performance.
Affolter at Major Trade Shows 2026
Affolter Group showcases its latest gear hobbing innovations at leading international trade shows across key markets. In 2026, the company is represented at IPTEX (Pune, India, 26–28 February), SIMTOS (Seoul, Korea, 13–17 April), CCMT (Shanghai, China, 21–25 April), SIAMS (Moutier, Switzerland, 21–24 April), and EPHJ (Geneva, Switzerland, 16–19 June). Visitors can discover how Affolter’s high-precision solutions support next-generation applications in robotics, aerospace, micromechanics, and medical technology.
About Affolter Group: Tradition meets innovation: The Affolter Group is a family enterprise and world technology leader in high-precision gear hobbing solution with more than 160 employees around the globe. The highly specialized company was founded in 1919 by Louis Affolter in Malleray, Switzerland. The more than 100-year history of the Affolter Group was filled with technological innovations. Today, the fourth generation leads the family enterprise. The Affolter Group operates worldwide with a broad network of distributors. For more information, please visit: www.affoltergroup.ch
