tecsis: a success story

International locations

• Offenbach am Main (tecsis GmbH, headquarters of the Center of Excellence of force measurement, Germany)
• Suzhou (WIKA, Center of Excellence of force measurement, China)
• Columbus (WIKA Sensor Technology, Center of Excellence of force measurement, USA)

Worldwide on a successful path

• 300 employees
• Global sales network
• 11,000 m² production area
• CNC machines: Workpieces up to 800 kg
• Laser welding: Workpieces up to 1.80 m
• Calibration machinery: up to 6,000 kN
• Temperature test instruments: from -70 ... +180 ºC
• DAkkS accreditation

Success story based on tradition

Since 1921, tecsis, or OSA Apparate GmbH as the company was called when it was founded, has developed into a leading manufacturer in measurement technology. By 1997, worldwide market access and service structures had been established under the VDO brand. Since 2001, the Offenbach location has been operating under the name tecsis GmbH. As a Center of Excellence, we have been focusing on force measurement since 2017 – previously, the areas of pressure measurement, temperature measurement and switching solutions were also covered.

tecsis milestones

• 1921: Founding of OSA Apparate GmbH by Adolf Schindling
• 1924: OTA Apparate GmbH
• 1929: VDO Tachometer Werke AG (Vereinigte Deuta-Ota)
• 1972: OTA Industriegeräte GmbH
• 1983: VDO Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH
• 1987: VDO Dresser
• 1991: VDO Industrie-Messtechnik GmbH
• 1997: Founding of IMT Industriemesstechnik GmbH
• 2001: Change in company name to tecsis GmbH
• 2008: Acquisition of the measurement technology manufacturer, Delta Metrics, USA
• 2012: Acquisition of the manufacturer for weighing technology, Shenzhen Exact Sensor Instrument Co. LTD, China
• 2017: Full integration into the WIKA Group; Focusing on force measurement
• 2020: Expansion of production capacities in ASIA in a new facility
• 2021: Company's 100-year anniversary
• 2022: Expansion of production capacities in the USA in a new facility

Unique in product diversity and technologies

The extensive portfolio includes compression force transducers, tension/compression force transducers, bending and shear beams, load cells, load pins, ring force transducers, tension links and also special designs such as wire rope force transducers, strain transducers and test sets for chain hoists or welding tongs. In addition, there are mounting kits, evaluation electronics and also displays. We offer selected standard products in the online shop directly from stock. Thus, for example, OIML-certified, bending and shear beams that are insensitive to side loading or tension/compression force transducers for the direct integration into the force flow.

Furthermore, we are experts in the customer-specific modification of existing force transducers in order to integrate the force measurement optimally. We have close development partnerships with many customers, from small and medium-sized companies to large businesses. Our experienced engineers and technicians look deeply into the techniques and processes of our international customers. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

The sophisticated, universal product range is designed for a very wide spectrum of applications, from machine building, through crane and lifting technology, to many other industrial sectors. Our force transducers have also proven themselves for use in harsh ambient conditions, whether in maritime applications or in strong electromagnetic fields. With thin-film technology, bonded strain gauges and hydraulic force measurement, we have access to three different technologies from which – depending on the application – we can select the right product for you.

Quality made in Germany

The main location of tecsis, and thus of WIKA's force measurement operating internationally, is located centrally in the Rhine-Main area – in Offenbach am Main. Together with WIKA's European sales organisation, a team of experts is there to support you in all areas from procurement, manufacturing and calibration to design, development and modification.

High-tech for the highest demands

• State-of-the-art production facilities with CNC and calibration machinery, painting and sandblasting equipment and also laser welding systems
• DAkkS test laboratory for certified calibrations (in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025)
• Climate-controlled rooms, ESD protection areas, clean separation of preassembly and final assembly and also quality management in accordance with ISO 9001

Our experience – your advantage

• Through a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance products:
  We offer the world's largest selection of force measurement products from our own production. Depending on the application, we have access to three different technologies, from which we select the right product for you.
• Through evolved solutions and engineering competence:
  Our engineers and technicians draw on the experience of a multitude of projects realised worldwide.
• Through worldwide presence and personalised advice:
  Your contacts are on your wavelength and there for you on-site.
• Through the accredited DAkkS test laboratory:
  We not only ensure the quality of our own products, but also check any third-party products. You have the choice whether to proceed in accordance with the EN ISO 376 standard or to make customer-specific adjustments in accordance with DKD-R 3-3.

Get to know tecsis

As a manufacturing company with over 100 years of tradition, we are specialised in force measurement technology. We are part of the WIKA group of companies and support our customers worldwide – even when it comes to demanding products, solutions and applications. Take a look at our current job opportunities. Promoting young talent is very important to us. Feel free to contact us with a speculative application for traineeship, internship or final thesis assignment – by e-mail ([email protected]).

Career at tecsis

• Are you looking for challenging assignments in a leading, internationally active company?
• Do you appreciate the pleasant and professional working atmosphere of a mid-sized company?
• Do you value personal development, further training and performance and results-oriented remuneration?

Then get to know tecsis!

Since well-trained, qualified specialists and managers are crucial to our business success, we support you with individual ongoing professional development and reward your personal performance and results with individual salary components, performance pay, agreed target bonuses and also holiday and Christmas bonuses. Flexible working hours and flexitime arrangements that contribute to your personal work-life balance are standard practice at our company.

If, among the open job opportunities, you have not found a position that meets your expectations, we would be pleased to receive your speculative application.

Traineeship at tecsis

Choose a technical profession with a wide range of opportunities and the right employer: With an traineeship at tecsis, you create the basis for your professional success. You will have a diverse experience, be given exciting tasks and work in a collegial environment. We have been training successfully for many years. Time and again, our trainees achieve very good final grades and even awards from the chambers. Our instructors and training officers teach all the important basics right through to practical specialist knowledge. So that you will be best-prepared for the demands of the professional world.

• At the beginning of your training there is a team event. You learn how important team spirit, communication and motivation are to us. At the same time, you will receive initial guidance on the job you're training for.
• If you have any questions or concerns, our training officers are always ready to listen. You will get to know your fellow trainees better with your own trainee room and during activities and excursions.
• Your training will follow a clear plan. So you always know exactly where you stand with your training and what still awaits you. You'll also be very well-prepared for the intermediate and final exams.

The training starts each year on 1 September. It generally lasts 3 to 3.5 years (depending on the job you're training for). Shortening of the training is possible if your performance is sufficiently good. The weekly working hours shall amount to 35 working hours. You are, of course, released from work for the time spent at your vocational school. You are entitled to 30 days' annual leave. During the examination and learning phase, you will be given enough time to prepare. This is because we want you to achieve the best possible degree and we usually take you on after your training.

Study at tecsis

Practise what you have learned and gain your first professional experience: The best way to do this is in an environment characterised by technological competence and internationality. That's exactly what you'll find at tecsis – tailored to students majoring in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or mechatronics. You can expect exciting tasks with technological demands, intensive support and involvement in our work processes as well as the chance to contribute your scientific curiosity, perseverance and passion.

Complete your internship or final thesis with one of the following practical focuses, for example: Force sensor technology, program development, programming in LabVIEW, basic tests on new products, product management, industrial engineering, work planning and logistics, basic testing on new products.

Force measurement in aviation

Within the project, the design, manufacture and testing of load sensors, with respect to primary and secondary flight controls and landing gear as possible applications, will be realised. The requirements of aviation (such as RTCA DO-254 and RTCA DO-160) as well as specific application-related requirements are taken into account.

tecsis takes responsibility for the complete instrument by designing, manufacturing and validating the electronics, all mechanical parts and their integration. In addition, all interfaces for the on-board installation are checked and coordinated with Liebherr Aerospace, the OEM project partner from the aviation industry.

Building on current competencies, the project serves to mature the product. At the finish, tecsis will be able to supply the project partner with a load sensor with a “Technology Readiness Level” (TRL) of 6.

Successful conclusion of the TecALSens project

On 31 October 2021, the project was completed successfully. The TecALSens force sensor developed by tecsis is currently the only force sensor for aeronautical applications based on thin-film technology. The innovative force sensor delivers two independent force measurements in two mutually perpendicular force directions. Two analogue electronic units ensure the delivery of the force values to the “on-board electronics” – each electronic unit processes the signal from the corresponding thin-film cell, which is responsible for measuring in a specific direction.

Further information on the TecALSens project can be found in our PDF article (in English language). The article was published by IOP Publishing Ltd. as an open-access paper. The paper is also available on the IOPscience website in the IOP conference series: materials science and engineering section (Valerio Carli 2022 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1226 012105).

Note
This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 821135.