Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about Brüsch, our certifications, manufacturing capabilities, stent production, orders and services.
Company & Overview
What does Brüsch specialise in?
Brüsch ApS is a Danish contract manufacturer specialising in CNC sliding head turning (Swiss-type machining) for high-precision components. The company serves primarily the MedTech, Space & Aerospace, Defence and Micro Precision sectors, producing components in a wide range of materials including Titanium, Nitinol, Inconel 718, PEEK and medical-grade stainless steel.
What industries does Brüsch serve?
Brüsch serves four primary industries: MedTech and medical devices (approximately 80% of production volume), Space & Aerospace, Defence and Homeland Security, and Micro Precision applications. The company also produces components for marine, offshore and research applications.
Where is Brüsch located?
Brüsch ApS is located at Islevdalvej 138-140, 2610 Rødovre, Denmark, approximately 10 km from Copenhagen city centre or a 20-minute drive from CPH airport. The site comprises 3,000 m² of production facilities across multiple buildings. CVR: 28120575.
How long has Brüsch been in business?
Brüsch was founded in 1958 by Herman Brüsch under the name H. Brüsch Maskinfabrik. The company has been in continuous operation for over 65 years and is today managed by the third generation of the Brüsch family, CEO Gitte Brüsch and CCO Jakob Brüsch. It is one of the longest-established precision contract manufacturers in Denmark.
Does Brüsch export internationally?
Yes. Brüsch exports to 30+ countries, with primary markets in Norway (customer relationship since 1981), Germany and the United States. The company has been active in international markets since 1981 and expanded into the US and broader EU markets in 2005.
What languages does Brüsch handle customer communication in?
Primarily Danish and English. German written communication is also possible, and a native Swedish speaker is available in-house.
What is a contract manufacturer?
A contract manufacturer is a company that produces components or products on behalf of another company based on supplied drawings, specifications and quality requirements. Contract manufacturers typically support everything from prototypes to high-volume serial production, allowing customers to focus on design, development and sales while manufacturing is handled by a specialist partner. Brüsch ApS has operated as a precision contract manufacturer since 1958.
What is the difference between sliding head and fixed head turning?
In sliding head turning (Swiss-type machining), the material bar moves through a guide bushing while the cutting tools remain very close to the support point, minimising vibration and deflection. This makes it the preferred method for small-diameter, long and slender components requiring tight tolerances and high-volume micro precision production, typical industries include MedTech, aerospace, electronics and watchmaking. Brüsch's sliding head turning covers diameters from Ø0.4–32 mm. In fixed head turning, the material remains fixed in the chuck while the tools move around the workpiece. This method suits larger diameters, shorter and more rigid parts and heavier machining operations, covering diameters from approximately Ø10–65+ mm. Brüsch's multitasking department handles fixed head turning across this range. In short: sliding head turning delivers the highest precision for small and slender components, while fixed head turning provides stronger cutting capability for larger parts.
What is Nitinol?
Nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy known for its unique shape memory and super elastic properties, it can return to a predefined shape after deformation and withstand significant flexing without permanent damage. It is widely used in medical stents, guidewires and minimally invasive medical devices, as well as aerospace and precision applications. The material offers high flexibility, excellent fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for implantable devices. Brüsch is one of the few European contract manufacturers with a dedicated Nitinol wire stent production facility, producing Nitinol stents in wire diameters from 0.05–0.30 mm.
Certifications & Quality
Is Brüsch ISO 13485 certified?
Yes. Brüsch holds ISO 13485:2016 certification, the international standard for quality management systems in medical device manufacturing, renewed in 2026. The company also holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, also renewed in 2026.
How is quality managed at Brüsch?
Brüsch operates a dedicated quality department comprising one QC Manager and three QC Specialists, working under a quality management system certified to both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016, both renewed in 2026. In-process measurement, post-process inspection, full batch traceability and comprehensive documentation are standard across all production.
Does Brüsch provide full material traceability?
Yes. Full material and batch traceability is maintained across all production. Documentation is available to PPAP and FAI standards, with material certificates and Certificate of Conformance provided on request or by standing agreement.
What measurement equipment does Brüsch use?
Brüsch operates two Zeiss CMM machines, a Zeiss O-Inspect and a Zeiss DuraMax, for full dimensional verification. Optical measurement is performed using an Insize ISP-Z3015 profile projector. Surface roughness is measured using a Mahr PS10 surface roughness tester. In-process measurement is performed at the machine during production, with post-process inspection carried out by the quality department before release.
Do you offer first article inspection reports?
Yes. First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) are provided upon customer request.
Do you offer design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback?
Yes. If Brüsch or its machinists identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, reduce cost or optimise the process, possible design adjustments are proactively discussed with the customer.
What certifications are required for medical device component manufacturing?
ISO 13485 is the primary certification required for medical device component manufacturing. It validates that production processes are under control and that the manufacturer follows the guidelines and regulatory requirements applicable to medical device manufacturing. Brüsch holds ISO 13485:2016 certification, renewed in 2026, covering the full scope of precision component production for medical device customers.
Do you sign NDAs before reviewing customer drawings?
Yes. Brüsch signs non-disclosure agreements before reviewing customer drawings, as required in the MedTech, Defence and Space industries. Confidentiality of customer designs and specifications is standard practice.
Can Brüsch complete supplier qualification questionnaires and accept audit visits?
Yes, to both. Brüsch can complete customer-specific supplier qualification questionnaires and welcomes audit visits to the facility for customer qualification purposes, upon request and by agreement.
Manufacturing Capabilities
What machines does Brüsch operate?
Brüsch operates 23 core CNC production machines across sliding head turning (11 Citizen L- and M-series + 1 Escomat D6 Ultra), multitasking (1 Nakamura Super NTXJ, 2 Nakamura MX-100, 2 Okuma LT2000, 2 Mori Seiki), milling (2 HAAS VF1/VF2) and grinding (2 STUDER S21/S31), with a Nakamura WY100 multitasking centre and a second HAAS VF2 vertical machining centre currently on order. The wider fleet totals 30 machines, including additional equipment supporting secondary and auxiliary operations. The facility runs 24-hour production across day and unmanned night shifts.
What is Swiss-type / sliding head turning?
Swiss-type machining, also known as sliding head turning, is a CNC turning method where the headstock slides along the Z-axis, supporting the workpiece directly at the cutting zone. This minimises deflection and enables exceptional dimensional stability for long, slender components produced in high volumes. It is the preferred process for small-diameter, high-precision components in MedTech, aerospace and micro precision applications. Brüsch operates 11 sliding head turning centres with a diameter range of 0.4–32 mm.
What is the diameter and length range Brüsch can produce?
Across all production processes, Brüsch covers component diameters from 0.4 mm to 65 mm and lengths from 0.5 mm to 500 mm. Sliding head turning covers 0.4–32 mm diameter, while multitasking centres cover 8–65 mm diameter. Cylindrical grinding covers Ø5–50 mm with lengths up to 1,000 mm.
What tolerances can Brüsch hold?
Standard production tolerances for sliding head turning are ±0.010 mm for large series, with ±0.005 mm achievable on smaller runs. Cylindrical grinding on the STUDER S31 achieves dimensional tolerances of ±0.005 mm as standard, with surface finishes down to Ra 0.01 µm and Rz 0.4 µm. To put that into perspective, a single bacterium measures approximately 0.001 mm in width, the tolerances held on the STUDER machines are within five times the width of a single bacterium.
What materials does Brüsch machine?
Brüsch routinely processes medical-grade stainless steel (316L, 17-4PH, 1.4542), titanium (Grade 2 and Grade 5), Nitinol (nickel-titanium), PEEK and medical polymers, cobalt-chrome, Inconel 718, Inconel 625, brass (CuZn39Pb3), POM and aluminium. Exotic and specialist alloys are processed as standard across both the sliding head and multitasking departments.
What drawing and file formats does Brüsch accept?
Brüsch accepts STEP and PDF formats. Drawings with tolerances specified are preferred. Where tolerances are not included, production follows DS/ISO 2768-1 medium (m) as the default general tolerance standard.
Are any processes subcontracted and how is supplier quality managed?
Yes. To support complete manufacturing solutions, Brüsch works with a formal approved supplier network, the Brüsch Approved Supplier Network, for specialised secondary processes and surface treatments. Subcontracted processes include anodizing of aluminium components, PVD coating for wear-resistant surfaces, electroplating and technical plating, precision heat treatment and hardening, precision cleaning and passivation for medical-grade components, laser welding of micro precision components, laser cutting of thin-wall and high-precision parts, and laser engraving for traceability marking and identification. All external processes are managed through approved suppliers operating under controlled quality requirements and traceability procedures in accordance with Brüsch's ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 quality management system, ensuring full traceability and quality control across the complete supply chain.
How does Brüsch source materials?
Brüsch normally sources materials independently through certified suppliers, with full traceability back to mill certificates available on every order. Brüsch endeavours to source exclusively from DFARS-approved countries, supporting customers with defence and regulated industry supply chain compliance requirements. In cases where the customer supplies material, or where a specific pre-approved supplier is required by the customer, Brüsch can accommodate both arrangements.
Does Brüsch comply with REACH, RoHS or conflict minerals requirements?
Brüsch does not directly handle substances subject to REACH or RoHS restrictions, and does not trade in conflict minerals. Materials are sourced primarily from DFARS-approved countries, supporting customers with defence and regulated industry supply chain compliance requirements. Specific compliance documentation can be provided upon request.
Stent Manufacturing
Does Brüsch produce Nitinol stents?
Brüsch operates a dedicated stent production facility for Nitinol and Stainless-Steel wire stents, housed in a separate controlled environment on the Islevdalvej site, in accordance with ISO 13485:2016. Nitinol stents are produced in wire diameters from 0.05–0.30 mm and Stainless-Steel stents from 0.03–0.25 mm. The facility is production-ready and in active production, with qualification programmes underway across multiple medical device OEMs.
Commercial & Orders
What is the minimum order quantity and do you accept prototypes?
Brüsch accepts both prototype and series production orders. Prototype quantities can start from approximately 10–100 pieces depending on component complexity, and are welcomed as a route to series qualification. The minimum order quantity for series production is 30 pieces, scaling to high-volume serial supply across multiple annual call-offs.
What volumes can Brüsch handle?
Brüsch handles everything from low-volume prototypes to large-scale serial production. Highest single orders run to approximately 40,000–70,000 pieces, with total annual volumes per part number significantly higher across multiple delivery call-offs.
What are the lead times?
Lead time depends on part complexity, material availability and required processes. First article lead time from initial enquiry is typically 2–4 weeks. Serial production can commence directly following first article approval with no additional delay. All delivery times are estimates only and are confirmed upon order acceptance.
What are the delivery terms?
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, delivery is made Ex Works (EXW) in accordance with Incoterms® 2020, as specified in the quotation. Risk transfers to the customer in accordance with the agreed Incoterm. Brüsch ships via FedEx, De Danske Fragtmænd and TNT.
What are the payment terms?
For first-time customers, prepayment or an agreed deposit may be required prior to production start. Standard payment terms, subject to approval, are 14 days net from invoice date. Late payments are subject to interest in accordance with the Danish Interest Act (Renteloven). Full terms and conditions are available on request or on www.brusch.dk.
Do you work with distributors or direct customers only?
Brüsch works both directly with end customers and as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier to larger system integrators and OEMs, manufacturing precision components that are integrated into complete systems, tools and devices supplied to end users.
What documentation can Brüsch provide?
On request, Brüsch can provide a comprehensive documentation package, including Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), First Article Inspection (FAI), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Process Capability Index (Cpk), Control Plan, Process Flow Chart, Measurement Reports, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA). Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility (GR&R) studies are also available, verifying that the correct measurement method is applied and that the measurement system itself is capable and consistent for the feature being measured. Material certificates are available on every order. Certificate of Conformance (CoC) is issued on request or by standing agreement.
Does Brüsch offer Kanban or stock holding?
In selected cases, yes. As an embedded LEAN manufacturer, Brüsch aims to keep inventory levels low and focuses on tightly planned material flow, efficient production and timely delivery. Direct shipment to customer production lines is available.
How do I submit a request for quotation?
Send your enquiry to sales@brusch.dk. To receive an accurate quotation, please include as a minimum: drawings in STEP or PDF format, material specification, tolerances and expected volume. To speed up the process further, it is helpful to also include expected delivery date, packaging requirements and any documentation requirements such as CoC, FAI or PPAP. Brüsch aims to respond to all quotation requests within one week.
Assembly & Additional Services
Does Brüsch offer assembly services?
Yes. Brüsch offers partial and full assembly services in addition to individual component supply, with a dedicated assembly team including certified personnel for adhesive bonding processes. Customers may choose to receive components individually, as a complete kit of parts for self-assembly, or as a fully assembled product, whether the end item comprises 2 or exceeds 30 individual parts.
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