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High performance PVD coatings for reliable forming processes, extended tool life and certified component quality.
A quick turn of the window handle – that’s all it takes to let in fresh air. To ensure this works reliably for many years, numerous components must interact with precision. The foundation for this is laid during the manufacturing of fittings and parts. For this process, Winkhaus, a manufacturer of window and door technology solutions, relies on wear-resistant PVD coatings from Oerlikon Balzers.
Winkhaus is a fifth‑generation family-owned company and one of the leading manufacturers of window fittings, door locking systems, and access solutions in Germany. Window technology is manufactured at the company headquarters in Telgte, North Rhine-Westphalia. “Depending on the configuration, our windows consist of around nine assemblies and roughly 100 individual parts,” says Stephan Kortenbrede, Head of Toolmaking. His team of more than 50 employees produces all tools and spare parts required for cutting, punching, or forming the fittings.
The toolmaking department sees itself as an internal service provider for production and understands its challenges well: “We process a variety of materials with completely different thicknesses and quality levels. But one thing always remains the same: we must ensure both efficiency and part accuracy in production because our window technology is certified according to multiple criteria,” explains Stephan Kortenbrede.
It’s not just about the durability of individual components. Window manufacturing faces two particular challenges. First, windows are getting heavier – due to construction trends like multi-pane glazing as well as the increasing size of modern windows. Architects and homeowners want rooms filled with natural light. For example, a fully glazed patio door can weigh up to 150 kilograms.
Second, security plays a major role. Windows must comply with today’s requirements for burglary resistance. Kortenbrede mentions mushroom-head pins as an example – special locking bolts that interlock firmly into reinforced security keeps in the frame when the window is closed. Another example is locking hooks manufactured from high-strength materials used in door systems. “The development of our products is highly demanding and intensive, as all of them are certified. This means we must adhere to numerous specifications and guarantee consistently high quality,” says Kortenbrede.
Stephan Kortenbrede (left), Head of Toolmaking at Winkhaus, and Susanne Hecke Fiss, Customer Consultant Forming at Oerlikon Balzers. Photo: Oerlikon Balzers
Winkhaus Toolmaking therefore relies on PVD coatings from Oerlikon Balzers. Punches and cutting dies, for example, are coated with BALINIT FUTURA NANO, a titanium–aluminum nitride PVD coating. Its hardness and composition make it the ideal solution for highly stressed precision components and for both HSS and carbide tools. It enables higher cutting speeds and improves surface quality. Compression punches and dies are coated with BALINIT ALCRONA EVO, the successor to the well-established BALINIT ALCRONA PRO. This PVD coating delivers even higher performance, which is clearly reflected in longer tool life.
Winkhaus has already been using BALINIT ALCRONA EVO for several months – with great satisfaction. What motivated the switch? Stephan Kortenbrede smiles and says, “When Oerlikon Balzers evolves its coatings, we always take those steps together with them. We trust their expertise, which ensures we are always at the cutting edge of technology.”
This approach has served him well: “We want defect-free tools that are easy to process further and ensure smooth machine operation. Extended tool life pays off especially for components running in 24/7 operation. And of course, surface quality is essential – for example, with countersink punches used to manufacture door locking hooks. We still perform our own zinc plating, so a smooth, burr-free surface is essential to meet our quality standards.”
At Winkhaus, hardware components are produced around the clock. Longer tool life therefore results in significant efficiency gains. Shown: forming punches coated with BALINIT® ALCRONA EVO. Photo: Oerlikon Balzers
Winkhaus and Oerlikon Balzers have worked together for many years. A close supplier–customer relationship is part of the fitting manufacturer’s corporate philosophy. It’s about more than meeting delivery deadlines: “For us, it’s important that our suppliers understand what matters in our products. We want them to know our processes and understand our needs. That not only makes day-to-day business run more smoothly, but it also helps us handle exceptional situations together,” says Kortenbrede.
Several years ago, the two companies even redesigned the order processing workflow together to optimize operations on both sides. “Oerlikon Balzers makes us feel like a valued partner on equal footing. For us, good accessibility, reliable delivery times, and always having a dedicated point of contact are crucial – and that we jointly search for new solutions,” Kortenbrede adds.
Stephan Kortenbrede demonstrates the application range of window hardware. The tools used for their production are primarily coated with BALINIT® PVD coatings. Photo: Oerlikon Balzers
The companies of the Winkhaus Group develop and manufacture high-quality system solutions for windows and doors as well as modern access management technology. Worldwide, manufacturers of building elements, security professionals, dealers, architects, builders, and users appreciate the durability and innovative design of Winkhaus technology. In Germany, the highly advanced Winkhaus production facilities operate at three locations – besides the headquarters in Telgte, the company also produces in Münster and Meiningen. Another state-of-the-art plant for window technology is located in Rydzyna, Poland. With its international subsidiaries, Winkhaus maintains a strong presence across Europe. Since its founding in 1854, Aug. Winkhaus SE has been family-owned and is now managed by the fifth generation, leading a team of more than 2,300 employees.
