When it comes to measuring the tiniest acoustic signals, there is one thing that must not happen above all else: metrology itself must not become a source of interference. This was precisely the challenge faced by MRK Systeme GmbH. As a full-service system integrator, the company develops automation solutions using cobots and industrial robots for a wide range of industries and highly specialised applications.
For a demanding customer project at the semiconductor manufacturer Infineon, MRK combined its expertise with that of the drive technology specialist HIWIN. Together, they developed a solution that transforms what was originally a manually operated laboratory application into a highly automated, industry-grade test cell – with maximum precision, high dynamic response and virtually flawless smoothness of operation. The aim was to carry out acoustic measurements on the smallest of components, such as microphones for consumer electronics like in-ear headphones, under absolutely interference-free conditions without extraneous noise or vibrations.

The decisive impetus for the current collaboration came in early 2025 – though the first points of contact between MRK and HIWIN date back two to three years. Even back then, HIWIN had established itself as a reliable partner in the field of drive technology and was particularly impressive with its expertise in drive design. “We know full well that our strength lies in system integration. When it comes to drive design, we are happy to rely on experienced partners. And this is precisely where HIWIN impressed us right from the start,” says Michael Mohre, Managing Director of MRK Systeme GmbH, describing the collaboration.
With the launch of the electric actuator series, the opportunity finally arose to apply this expertise once again in a suitable project. From this combination – a proven working relationship and a new technological solution – a renewed partnership quickly developed, characterised by a practical approach, speed and a high level of technical understanding. “We’re open to all technologies – ultimately, what really matters to us is what actually works in the project. And in this respect, HIWIN has simply impressed us once again,” says Mohre.
The requirements for the new solution were anything but straightforward: highly dynamic movement had to be combined with the highest level of accurate positioning, whilst ensuring absolutely smooth operation without vibrations. Added to this were the need for integration into a Siemens-based control environment via Profinet, reliable continuous operation with several thousand cycles per week, and the challenge of operating several systems in parallel and in close proximity to one another without causing mutual acoustic interference.

Why the HIWIN electric actuators proved the best choice
Various drive principles were examined in detail as early as the concept phase. HIWIN’s solution ultimately prevailed. In particular, the combination of mechanical precision, consistent system architecture and easy integration proved decisive.

At the heart of the system are two synchronised HIWIN electric actuators, which open and close the soundproofed measuring chamber. They thus play a central role in the entire process – as every movement must be highly dynamic, precise and, at the same time, absolutely interference-free.
Technologically, the electric actuators are based on a heavy-duty, specially developed peeled ballscrew. This ensures particularly smooth force transmission without stick-slip effects and enables high repeatability even during continuous operation. At the same time, the design reduces natural vibrations and mechanical noise to a minimum. The result is exceptionally smooth operation – a crucial factor for acoustically sensitive applications in which even the slightest vibrations or damped oscillations could distort the measurement results.
Added to this are the high mechanical rigidity and the ability to move even large moving masses reliably and in a controlled manner. This is because the components involved are by no means lightweight: the moving parts of the soundproofed measuring chamber are solidly constructed and each weigh well over 100 kilograms. Correspondingly high forces must be safely absorbed and precisely applied by the actuators used. This makes it all the more impressive that the electric actuators achieve this performance in a compact design. A wide range of bolt-on and centring options also facilitate integration into the overall system and offer a high degree of flexibility in the machine layout. “Smooth operation was one of the key criteria – not only during movement, but also when at a standstill. This is precisely where the HIWIN electric actuators won us over,” explains Thomas Rödig, project manager at MRK.

Another decisive advantage lay in HIWIN’s integrated system approach. Instead of having to combine individual components from different manufacturers, a fully coordinated drive package was used, consisting of electric actuators, servo motors from the EM1 series and ED1 servo drives.
This system-based approach offers key advantages: the components are optimally matched to one another, resulting in particularly stable and repeatable control behaviour – even in a synchronised axis network. At the same time, it eliminates much of the integration and tuning effort that would otherwise be required. Integration via Profinet into the existing Siemens control system was seamless and without any additional interface issues.
The result is an extremely stable drive system with short commissioning times and maximum process reliability. “It was precisely the combination of mechanics, motor and drive control from a single source that saved us a great deal of time – and, above all, gave us peace of mind,” emphasises Rödig.

Perfect coordination during operation
The system’s performance becomes evident in the details during operation: two electric actuators open the soundproofed measuring chamber in synchronisation, whereupon a collaborative robot takes over the loading process. Supported by a sophisticated 3D optical system, it detects the exact position of the tiny test specimens, compensates for deviations in real time and positions the components precisely within the measuring chamber. The electric actuators then close the housing again so quietly that even the most sensitive acoustic measurements remain unaffected. The entire process runs fully automatically, reliably and reproducibly. Even when several systems are operated in parallel, there is no mutual acoustic interference, which underlines the scalability of the solution.

Partnership as a key success factor
A key success factor in the project was the close, partnership-based collaboration between MRK, HIWIN and Infineon. Early on in the project, a joint feasibility test was carried out directly at the end customer’s premises – using real hardware and under actual operating conditions.
“The on-site test was crucial. It enabled us to identify potential challenges at an early stage and resolve them straight away,” explains Michael Bachschneider, the HIWIN field representative overseeing the project.
In addition, MRK received a visit from the HIWIN Academy Truck at an early stage of the project. This also gave Infineon, as the end customer, the opportunity to gain a first-hand impression of HIWIN’s technology and solutions directly on site. The direct dialogue and the live demonstration of the drive technology played a key role in building trust and continuing to cement the decision to adopt the joint solution.
Even during the implementation phase, the dialogue remained intensive and solution-oriented. The joint sizing of the drive systems, rapid response times to technical queries and a direct line of communication between the teams ensured a high level of trust and efficiency. “We simply had a good feeling about it – HIWIN was quick, flexible and solution-oriented. That’s exactly what you need in projects like this,” says Michael Mohre, describing the collaboration.

Today, this success is evident in a solution that is impressive both technologically and economically. Manual processes in the laboratory have been significantly reduced, whilst at the same time the reproducibility of measurement results and throughput have been significantly increased.
The system not only meets Infineon’s demanding quality requirements but also offers a high degree of flexibility for future adaptations and expansions.

The partnership between MRK Systeme GmbH and HIWIN GmbH has thus long since grown beyond the scope of a single project. It exemplifies modern automation: the interplay of specialised expertise, a shared understanding of challenging applications and the ability to develop innovative solutions in a spirit of partnership.
“The collaboration was excellent – and we clearly see potential here for many more projects,” says Michael Mohre, looking to the future.

When precision, systems expertise and collaborative partnership come together, the result is more than just a functional automation solution – it creates sustainable innovative strength.

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