SBF AG, a specialist in rolling stock, lighting, electromechanics, and sensor technology, has introduced two new product innovations in its Sensor Technology and Electromechanics segment. The enhanced Automatic Label Feeder (ALF) and the automatic optical inspection system INSPECT are designed to address the growing demand for automation and digitalization in industrial manufacturing. Both products were developed in-house and are now being commercialized to serve industrial customers with similar needs, reflecting SBF’s strategy to leverage its technological expertise for direct customer benefit and additional earnings potential.
Robert Stocklinger, Member of the Management Board of SBF AG, emphasized the significance of these developments: “We are now even better positioned for the future with these product developments. INSPECT takes quality assurance in electronics manufacturing to a new level of automation. Solutions with high customer value and clear efficiency potential are exactly the kind of innovation with which the SBF Group aims to grow. In electronics manufacturing, traceability and automation are decisive competitive factors. With the Automatic Label Feeder, we’re addressing exactly that need and are continually expanding the technology’s capabilities to include new applications such as the labeling of printed circuit boards, electronic components, and now glass vials as well. This demonstrates the adaptability of our technology and sustainably strengthens our product portfolio.”
The Automatic Label Feeder has been enhanced to support fully automated labeling of glass vials, opening up new industries such as pharmaceuticals, laboratory diagnostics, and fine chemicals. Originally developed for in-house use in electronics production, ALF has become a standalone product line due to strong customer demand. Its platform architecture allows flexible adaptation to different production processes, providing a foundation for further growth. This expansion into new target industries is a key aspect of SBF’s growth strategy.
INSPECT, the new automatic optical inspection system, automates quality inspection of electronic assemblies after SMD assembly. It uses a high-resolution camera to capture assembled printed circuit boards, with software that independently identifies fiducial marks, component positions, and orientations, reads all standard barcode and 2D code formats, and automatically documents inspection results. The system can be set up in minutes, retains calibration and operating data during updates, and maintains stability and robustness in continuous operation, even during hardware failures.
These innovations underscore SBF’s commitment to technological innovation. The company’s development approach involves creating new technologies for its own manufacturing processes, then bringing them to market maturity to create additional sales and growth potential. This strategy strengthens SBF’s product portfolio, which is tailored to the needs of industrial customers, and reinforces the Group’s expertise in the megatrends of automation and digitalization across all business segments.
The SBF Group benefits from these trends through its highly specialized subsidiaries, which are leaders in their fields. The company’s product portfolio includes complex interior, ceiling, and lighting systems for rolling stock manufacturers, intelligent LED lighting solutions for industrial and municipal projects, and forward-looking components and software for electromechanical products. With these new products, SBF is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for automation and digitalization in manufacturing.
