Unlimited possibilities thanks to state-of-the-art technology.
Investment in pioneering technology.
We are highly specialised in solid wood processing and pioneers in 5-axis CNC technology . We rely on state-of-the-art technology and continuously invest in our comprehensive machinery. With our 5-axis CNC machines, 10-spindle planing machines, state-of-the-art panel press and laser technology, no wishes remain unfulfilled. All this combined with our great knowledge, experience and design standards make it possible for us to realise your ideas and wishes.
Technique and Know-how
We are delighted to share our expertise and advise architects, carpenters, designers, technical collages, and company project managers. We support our customers in the implementation and construction of solid wood furniture such as chairs, stools, tables, shelves, beds, etc. Together we examine the feasibility and then decide on the materials, construction, stability, and profitability.
We are happy to manufacture prototypes and support customers in serial manufacture. On request, we can carry out official tests on seating furniture. We use innovative technology for processing. All your wishes can come true, thanks to the wide-ranging machine park and vast expertise combinded with Swiss quality and superior design.
CAD / CAM
Our modern CAD/CAM technology accompanies the project from the sales sketch at the first customer contact, through design and planning, all the way to production. Any drawings created with a CAD programme (Computer Aided Design), for example of a furniture component, must be converted into another digital format for further processing. We use CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) for this purpose. This makes the drawing readable for our computer-controlled CNC machines.
CNC
We use modern CNC milling machines to produce individual components of all kinds in solid wood and wood-based materials. Using CAD/CAM software, we process your specifications and implement your plans – from prototype to series production.
Our machine park includes four five-axle and one four-axle CNC machines. The four-axle machine provides processing in three axes (x, y and z) in the Cartesian coordinate system. The fourth axle forms the drill head of the four-axle machine. It rotates 360° on the horizontal axis. Our five-axle machines can additionally move their milling units three-dimensionally along the a and c axes. During demanding 5-axis processing, several axes are moved simultaneously, e.g., turning, swivelling, and moving. These simultaneous coordinated and calculated movements are called interpolation. This also allows us to mill three-dimensional shapes out of solid wood, such as a sphere.
And this is how it works
Wood Cutting
Our cutting machines for solid wood are particularly suitable for cutting individual solid wood products in small, medium, or large quantities.
Good skilled workers are needed to cut the wood. The employee must be able to visualise the end product so that he can choose the right wood and the right part from it.
For one thing, the cut piece must be suitable for further processing (no defective wood), and for another, there should be as little waste wood as possible. Wood is an expensive and valuable raw material, especially for valuable wood such as oak or walnut, a high yield is extremely important to keep material costs under control.
Four-sided planer
On our four-sided planer, solid wood parts are planed flat on all four sides with absolute precision, in one pass. The machine features ten spindles, four vertical, five horizontal and one universal spindle. A large number of processes are thus possible in just one pass. Once a workpiece has been planed, it is stacked fully automatically. And this with up to thirty pieces per minute. The stacker allows the machine to be operated by just one person. The settings of the planing and cutter heads (i.e., the tool data) are memorised and can be reused with absolute precision.
Laser Technology
We are one of the few companies in Switzerland that also use laser technology. Our specialists use their years of expertise to customise the workpiece. It takes a lot of knowledge and experience to programme the machine to enable complex engravings. With our laser, we can engrave surfaces of varied sizes. Engravings, letterings, company logos, pictures, symbols or even perforations can be realised.
Peek into our workshop
Wood surface treatment
There are various options available for surface treatment. The most common methods are staining, lacquering, oiling and waxing. However, there are many other ways to treat the surface of wood, such as soaping, smoking or bleaching.
In combination with mechanical pre-treatments such as brushing or even sandblasting, very decorative effects can be achieved.
Solid Wood Competences
Solid wood has been our passion over many decades, we have acquired broad knowledge in the procurement of solid wood. Buying good wood is challenging and takes a lot of time.
The wood we process comes from Europe and North America. For example, beech wood or Swiss stone pine come 100%, ash around 80%. from Switzerland. American walnut , black willow, and black cherry are supplied from North America.
The other woods come from various countries in Central Europe. Around half of the volume is purchased in Switzerland, the other half in Germany and Austria. The vonrickenbach.swiss ag has the Swiss Timber Certificate (HSH) for beech , ash, elm and pine. This means that 80% of these woods are of Swiss origin.
Passion, know-how and innovative machinery for your ideas
We are always thrilled to see how ideas become true works of art. We accompany our customers from the concept idea to the fully developed series. With our know-how, performant CNC machines, the latest laser technology and a highly motivated team, we do everything we can to turn your ideas into reality.
Thomas von Rickenbach
Owner / managing Director vonrickenbach.swiss ag
