Utilita: micromechanical excellence reinforced by Ellistat's APC solution

Utilita SRL, founded in 1992 in Costabissara near Vicenza (Italy), is a major player in the production of small precision parts as a subcontractor for various industrial sectors. With a workforce of 45 and sales of 5.7 million euros in 2023, Utilita SRL stands out for its expertise in micromechanics, supplying high-quality components to the jewelry, medical/dental and industrial sectors, mainly aerospace. The company recently invested in the APC software solution from French company Ellistat, which has improved the stability and efficiency of its production processes.

Founded by Mr. Sign Zamberlan, Utilita SRL is a family-run business that brings the precision and aesthetics of jewellery-making to the field of mechanical engineering. Initially focused on subcontracting for the jewelry and watchmaking industries -Uutilita is located near Vicenza, the goldsmith's and silversmith's capital-, in 2004 the company expanded into the aeronautics sector, followed by the medical/dental and precision micromechanics sectors. Its customers (75% in Italy) are mainly medium-sized and large companies, as well as international groups.

In a fast-changing market, where responsiveness and flexibility are fundamental requirements, Utilita's managers are well aware of the importance of innovation in all areas. They invest time and human resources in acquiring state-of-the-art know-how and production tools.
Utilita SRL stands out for its technical know-how, quality control throughout the production process and cutting-edge production technology. Its machinery includes multi-axis turning-milling centers and high-precision measuring machines (optical, contact, CMM, etc.).

The company is characterized by its ability to supply high-quality products while meeting stringent requirements in terms of deadlines and flexibility. "We bring the culture of jewelry-making to all our production, caring not only about precision and quality, but also about aesthetics and functionality," explains Andrea Zamberlan, President and CEO of Utilita SRL. This philosophy is reflected in the certifications obtained by the company over the years, testifying to its commitment to excellence and innovation. Indeed, Utilita SRL is recognized for its high quality standards, certified by UNI EN ISO 9001, UNI EN 9100, UNI CEI EN ISO 13485, and soon UNI EN ISO 14001.

The Italian company produces a wide range of high-precision, high-finish turned and milled parts, from 1.5 mm to 51 mm in diameter. For general precision micromechanics, materials used include steel, aluminum, gold, silver, platinum, titanium, copper, bronze and special plastics. By way of example, micro-components produced for the medical sector are used for spinal orthopedics, oral implants, surgical instruments and maxillofacial traumatology.

Always at the forefront of innovation, Utilita SRL invested in Ellistat's APC solution to meet its customers' growing demands for quality and reliability. "We were looking for software capable of guaranteeing stable, efficient processes, particularly for our customers in the sensitive aerospace and implantology sectors. After careful evaluation, we chose Ellistat for its outstanding performance," explains Andrea Zamberlan.

Utilita SRL chose Ellistat after extensive research and successful testing of the solution. "We immediately appreciated the potential of the APC module, which automates the setting up of machining centers. The results were very satisfactory and matched our expectations," adds Mr. Zamberlan.

The APC implementation began with a CNC machine and a Zeiss inspection instrument, on three different items. Despite some delays due to other internal emergencies, training and installation went quickly and efficiently. 

"By testing the solution in a simple configuration, we were able to appreciate the results obtained. APC enables us to guarantee the quality and reliability of our processes - a fundamental objective for us! "says Mr. Zamberlan.

Another important point is that, in the current context of skilled labor shortages, APC has reduced the need for highly specialized personnel for checks and corrections, making it possible to delegate some production to less specialized operators. "This solution is crucial to maintaining our high quality standards while meeting the growing demands of the market," concludes Mr. Zamberlan.

The project undertaken with Ellistat does not stop there. Utilita SRL plans to further develop the use of APC to interconnect several control instruments with a larger number of CNC machines. "We plan to interface a control island (several instruments) with more machines. Some aspects remain to be studied concerning the interface with continuous 5-axis machining processes", says Mr. Zamberlan.

APC is compatible with all types of CNC machines and measuring instruments. The intuitive and innovative software makes the manufacturing process autonomous, and whatever the machine and the complexity of the part to be machined, the software is able to correct from the measurement of a single part.

"The aim is to maximize the benefits of APC software by fully integrating it into our production process. We are convinced that this will enable us to achieve an even higher level of performance and quality," says Mr. Zamberlan.

In conclusion, the investment in Ellistat's APC solution testifies to Utilita SRL's commitment to innovation and excellence. "We have always believed in the importance of innovation to remain competitive. Ellistat's APC gives us the tools we need to guarantee the highest quality products to our customers," concludes Mr. Zamberlan.