History
TESA in the course of time or the history of a brand name that has built up its reputation upon excellence, innovation and know-how
There are some brands that have a strong attraction power,
and TESA is one of them.
1941 – Foundation of TELEPHONIE SA, a subsidiary of AUTOFON AG specialised in the manufacture of dedicated components for telecommunication, w hich was housed in an old foundry located at Renens near Lausanne, Switzerland. In those early days, the closing of this affiliated company gave birth to a young one known as TESA since then. Being in the search for diversification, TESA invented the MINMETAL® as its first micrometer This attractive mechanical tool was to prove to be a true commercial success while, for the first time, closely associating the newly created Swiss brand with the Science of Metrology.
The old foundry at the root of TESA’s history.
MINMETAL® – The first micrometer developed by TESA.
1945 – Growing away from its parent company, the brand gained full independence and officially changed its name to TESA SA. At one go, the enterprise avoided being moved out in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
The workshops of the early days filled with a pioneering spirit that still remains today.
1950 – The years went on, looking alike since the new concern did not rest until it has expressed its creativity. This resulted in the invention of the IMICRO bore gauge with 3-line contact. Often copied but never equalled, this mythical handheld tool is still manufactured with as much as nearly hundred of varying models available now, which cover diameters ranging from 3,5 up to 300 mm. At that time, the mechanical engineers were, no doubt, something of a genius to conceive the idea of designing one such product whose principle is quite perfect!
TESA IMICRO –The tool that provides outstanding longevity.
1957 – TESA designs its TESAMASTER®. This micrometer made to measure internal dimensions features high precision mechanics combined with a built-in readout device that has remained the single one of its kind over the years. Further expanding and seeking new business opportunities, TESA found with BROWN & SHARPE, which was then a world leader for metrology products, the partner for the distribution of its products across the Atlantic. This partnership also contributed towards developing its sales in the USA.
TESAMASTER® equipped with a unique readout feature.
1967 – TESA was to seal its destiny to the American manufacturing company located in Providence (Rhode Island) for a long period of time. This connection was an important step in opening new ways for the Swiss enterprise aimed at growing up. The mutation was achieved as TESA moved from its modest workshop of the early days to a modern industrial building. This later location at Renens was built to satisfy the increasing demand for TESA’s products and still remains that of its Management as well as its various functions such as General Administration, Marketing, Computer Service, R+D along with its High-Tech manufacturing units.
1970 – With the computer age, TESA evolved in the field of high precision. This led it to the development of its first electronic probes. Today, some of them are capable to detect deviations as low as one-hundredth of µm.
TESA’s probes can detect deviations of one-hundredth of micron.
1975 – Once again, TESA broke new ground in the field of dimensional inspection through the creation of an effective engineering unit fully dedicated to the development of multigauging systems. From then on, TESA could approach the most various manufacturing industries such as automotive, aircraft and aerospace where its TESAMODUL® multigauging devices and systems were to be widely used with the most satisfactory results.
Multigauging was an important advent in the history of the Swiss brand that was then directed towards providing the most prestigious manufacturing industries with custom solutions to achieve first class quality.
1977 – The year of the worldwide launch of TESA DIGIT-CAL® with numerical display. This new electronic calliper was to disrupt the working habits while leaving TESA’s competitors far behind.
TESA DIGIT-CAL® - The early calliper with numerical display.
1983 – TESA chooses the EMO, the machine tools exhibition in Paris, to introduce its CQC 200, the first industrial computer built for multigauging applications. This modular system was made to ensure quality control and statistical data processing within the production area.
The TESA CQC 200® first industrial computer for multigauging inspection.
1985 – Further development of a data centre, which was added to the family of multigauging systems with a wide variety of electronic devices included. The TDC 2001® was designed by TESA so as to provide Users with a centralized solution for quality inspection. This innovative high-performance achievement attracted a particular interest from the automotive industry and its sub-contractors.
TESA TDC 2001® data centre integrating many electronic devices – A revolutionary concept in that time.
1989 – TESA METROLOGY LTD, Telford, UK, commercialises the world’s first automatic laser-based Gauge Block Interferometer which was developed by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in London, UK. This system can measure to uncertainties as low as 20 nanometres. This successful collaboration with NPL continues and these Gauge Block interferometers are now used in many leading calibration laboratories around the world.
In 1989, the company also announced the opening of its Japan-based subsidiary TESA KK, in Tokyo.
The first commercially available laser-based Gauge Block Interferometer developed by NPL and commercialised by TESA METROLOGY LTD.
1993 – This year was marked by the beginnings of the economic recession worldwide, announcing significant structural changes that were to come. TESA like many other concerns will not be exempted from the need for rationalization. Nevertheless, in the decade preceding the third millennium, the company could further expand its market presence through the acquisition of some of its competitors such as MERCER LTD., ROCH FRANCE along with its subsidiary MAUSER, and COMPAC GENEVE for the main ones. In addition, major investments were made in the purchase of ultra-modern machinery and appliances as well as a powerful computer unit in order to accelerate the product design and development. Pursuing to strengthen its market coverage, TESA implemented TESA France SAS, in Luneville. This new affiliated company is now a distribution centre for its products in Europe.
As time went on, modern manufacturing units replaced the workshop of the old time. Only the pioneering spirit of those early days wasn’t getting weaker.
1995 – TESA’s inspection laboratory is officially accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) under the number 051. Shortly afterwards, the company was proud to have its Quality Assurance System be certified ISO 9001.
1996 – It was said that TESA has reinvented the micrometer. This is just about right. With the MICROMASTER® now available in almost eighty different models, the Swiss company could prove its ability to innovate. A new capacitive measuring system - the CAPAµSYSTEM® - has then been designed with a lot of money expended in setting up ultra-modern production cells as the General Management had concern for efficiency and rationalisation. This was the price TESA had to pay for consolidating its authentic Swiss manufacture while guaranteeing the SWISS MADE Label to its products.
The MICROMASTER® is available in nearly eighty versions. This electronic micrometer is fitted the CAPAµSYSTEM, which is protected by a wide number of international patents.
1998 – In that year, a large number of handheld tools like the famous IMICRO® were equipped with the CAPAµSYSTEM® in keeping with the modernity of their times.
The IMICRO® family of micrometers available today also includes a model fitted with the electronics of the latest generation.
1999 – Noblesse oblige, TESA armed itself with a temperature controlled inspection laboratory in order to meet all the quality requirements the enterprise intended to achieve.
New air-conditioned inspection laboratory.
2001 – Celebrating its sixty years of existence, TESA put the finishing to the design of its TESA-CAL® IP65. This electronic calliper was designed to offer a high degree of protection. To achieve this, the latest technologies were used. The measuring tool features the newly patented TESA’s magneto-resistive system based on a magnetic scale, i.e. the MAGNAµSYSTEM®.
In this recent year, BROWN & SHARPE was taken over by HEXAGON AB, a world-leading group providing global engineering and metrology solutions to customers. Was this an upheaval ? No, because TESA could still enhance and expand its product offering as before. Besides the acquisition of CARY, the well-known brand, which has gained recognition in the watchmaker industry for its gauge blocks, TESA decided to set up a US-based subsidiary with TESA USA in North Kingstown.
Both TESA-CAL® IP65 and IP67 electronic callipers feature the MAGNAµSYSTEM from TESA.
2002 – TESA exhibits the MICRO-HITE® plus M at the sixteenth CONTROL in Sinsheim. With this motorised version of its renowned microprocessor-based height gauges, the company came to the highest quality standard in terms of mechanics and electronics. Pursuing its expansion, TESA opens TESA TECHNOLOGY ITALIA srl, in Cormano near Milan.
TESA MICRO-HITE® plus M – The latest evolution in the manufacture of height gauges.
2003 – Commercial business is dependent upon the ability to meet changing needs. So, having decided to turn towards non-contact measurement, the company proceeded to integrate a large part of the manufacturing activities of the CM Division, which was then headquartered in Telford/England. This operation was to be soon followed by the acquisition of SUD MESURES, a France-based company specialised in the design of vision systems.
TESA-SCAN® used for fast round part inspection as well as the complete range of TESA-SCOPE® and TESA-VISIO® profile projectors and video systems are currently mounted in fully integrated assembly cells in Renens. Bearing the SWISS MADE label, they were first introduced at the seventeenth CONTROL where they met expected success.
TESA-SCAN®, TESA-SCOPE® and TESA-VISIO® illustrate TESA’s new focus on vision systems.
Assembly cells newly started on the TESA’s Swiss production site to meet the needs for rationalisation while ensuring competitiveness. This picture shows a number of TESA-SCAN® in their final assembly.
Here’s another assembly cell where each TESA-VISIO® provided with a video system are mounted.
2004 – This is the year TESA’s engineers were fully devoted to three-dimensional measurement. This special focus resulted in the launch of the TESA MICRO-HITE 3D® in Switzerland at first, then throughout Europe and in the USA. Taking advantage from its privileged position within HEXAGON Metrology, TESA could make use from time-tested manufacturing techniques and have this product development completed in a very short time. To achieve this, the production line had to be thoroughly reviewed. Carrying the SWISS MADE Label, this manual CMM is different from those of competition in that it offers exceptional price/performance relationship. At the same time, TESA was able to extend its range of electronic sensors by adding a full range of touch probes known today as TESASTAR®.
With the introduction of TESA-CAL® IP 67, TESA reached the top. Produced to the highest degree of protection, this calliper is capable to take accurate measurements under extreme workshop conditions.
So as to serve its European market even better, TESA also started three additional branch offices with TESA BENELUX in Belgium and the Netherlands, TESA DEUTSCHLAND in Germany and TESA TECHNOLOGY IBÉRICA in Spain. Furthermore, facing the economic trends, the company is just about to have its own office for direct sales and customer support in China.
TESA MICRO-HITE 3D® – The missing link that offers exceptional Price/Performance relationship.
The new TESASTAR® touch trigger probes add to the existing range of TESA’s products for 3D measurement.
The new MICRO-HITE 3D® assembly line has the ambition to become the most efficient manufacturing facility for small CMMs in the world, in terms of produced units.
2005 – TESA is still at the forefront and designs TESASTAR-m. This motorised feature is much more than just a probe head for its level of sophistication and perfection. This year also, TESA expands its range of TESASTAR products by adding a probe rack for automatic probe exchange besides many other valuable accessories such as the extension rods, probe tips and styli, interface units compatible with the variety of metrology software versions applied.
With the launch on the market of the motorised version of its small MH3D, TESA continues to extend its product offering for three-dimensional measurement, rapidly and significantly.
2006 – Based upon the success of its coordinate machine, TESA is constantly striving to offer a wide number of complete metrology solutions that meet the most demanding customers’ needs.
Today – The Swiss company produces, markets and distributes worldwide more than 5000 measuring instruments and systems. Its affiliated companies are all committed to selling its products through demonstration centres as well as to providing technical assistance and after-sales services. Moreover, TESA relies on its distribution network with independent agents, distributors and resellers strengthening its market coverage worldwide.
