Integrated manufacturing

APEM controls all production stages from raw material transformation to finished products for consistent quality standards in all aspects of production.

Since its creation in 1952, APEM has chosen to vertically integrate all phases of production. The raw materials needed in manufacturing switches, joysticks, indicators and panel solutions, such as plastic balls or aluminum coils, are all processed in our production facilities.
Based on the industrial and technological experience acquired during its 70 years’ existence, APEM controls all phases of product development and manufacturing: from design, tooling, molding, machining and turning to assembly and final inspection before shipment.
This industrial expertise ensures the continuity of our product ranges over time and is a guarantee for sustainable partnership with our customers.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Our products are internally designed and developed by our team of engineers using all the current design software. Product prototyping is facilitated by the use of 3D printers, EDM/WEDM machining centers and laser cutting machines which allows us to develop new product concepts quickly and efficiently.

A great development capability, the control of numerous technologies and integrated processes (lean engineering, APQP model) allows us to respond effectively to all switching issues.

INDUSTRIALIZATION & TOOLING

APEM manages the production of its plastic injection molds and other tooling at various worldwide manufacturing locations.
All industrialization phases are controlled within APEM: from the design of the first prototypes to series production. All tools are designed and maintained internally, from the simplest cutting tool to the most complex plastic injection mold.
The control of the industrialization and tooling phases allows APEM to meet extremely high quality standards in a reduced time.
The objective is to offer high quality, robust and reliable products within a short time.

TURNING & STAMPING

Various APEM tool shops have turning and stamping capabilities. From simple hand turned lathes to hydraulic presses and automated systems for mass-produced items.
APEM’s turning capabilities include CNC and CAM type machines handling various materials such as brass, aluminum or stainless steel up to 316L in diameters from 2 mm to 30 mm.
Metal parts are stamped from bi-metal reels of brass, copper or stainless steel in presses from 20 to 160 tons.

APEM can meet all production requirements: from high volume standard products to complex custom solutions in small series.

MOLDING

Several APEM locations produce thermoplastic parts using Arburg and Engel molding machines. These machines are capable of high volume part production and run 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Many types of molding processes are used: in-mold process, automated or robotized over-molding of materials including thermoset, thermoplastic, silicone and elastomer.
This unique expertise allows APEM to be one of the few players in the market offering such a wide range of human-machine interface products with infinite configuration and customization potential.

ELECTROPLATING

Most of electroplating processes are carried out by APEM in the original factory in Montpezat-de-Quercy.
Electroplating is a process of plating one type of metal onto another by hydrolysis, either to protect the base metal or to give a more attractive look to the finished product.Depending on final product specifications, primary parts are then plated with different metals: nickel, gold, silver or palladium.
APEM’s high quality requirements include X-ray testing of primary parts for plating thickness and resistance.
APEM is increasingly committed to producing in conformity with the REACH regulations, which ensure protection of the environment against the risks of chemical substances.

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is the final stage of production for a switch, a panel solution, joystick or LED indicator. Manual, semi-automatic or fully automated, the assembly of our finished products requires particular detail and precision from APEM teams.

The assembly stage includes mounting of primary parts, product wiring, hot marking, laser marking, pad printing as well as mechanical engraving.
Our assembly workshops integrate ESD protected areas for our electrostatic-sensitive products.

APEM follows the lean manufacturing QRQC standards. For added efficiency and reactivity, we also run U-shape production cells. This layout has numerous advantages including space savings, operator productivity and increased versatility.

APEM’s objective is to offer high quality, high performance, reliable products and to efficiently meet its OEM customers’ expectations.

TESTING AND INSPECTION

Thanks to a fully integrated quality management system, APEM is recognized in the HMI market for the quality of its products.
All APEM production plants are ISO 9001 certified and the French plants have recently obtained the ISO TS and ISO 14001 certifications.In-house laboratories test and qualify all products to international standards. The French test laboratories are UL certified environments. Additionally, APEM products are tested by specialized test houses for specific qualifications (VDE, ATEX, CECC or MIL spec.).
Products used in extremely harsh environments (defense, oil industry) are 100 % tested.
Due to these high quality standards, APEM has become a leading brand in these industries. APEM's critical testing is recognized in such diversified markets as instrumentation, medical equipment, telecommunications, industrial automation, defense and transport and is confirmed by numerous approvals (UL/CSA, VDE, NF…) and the confidence of worldwide OEM’s.

PANEL SOLUTION PRODUCTION & ELECTRONIC INTEGRATION

APEM controls all the stages of keyboard & control panel production and the related technologies such as digital printing, screen printing, thermoforming or embossing.

Our internal electronic teams manage the integration of communication protocols such as CAN, RS485, RS422, USB, specific displays (LCD graphics, 5 segments, NVIS LEDs), as well as protection filters (ESD, EMI, electrical network) and power supplies (power converter).
For more than 70 years, worldwide OEM’s have placed their trust in APEM to develop and manufacture reliable high-performance products for demanding applications.

Controlling all production stages, APEM offers high quality products with efficiency in harsh environments.