Tools workshop
An independent workshop for tailor-made requests
The tooling workshop is intended for the creation and manufacture of tools necessary for producing parts.
It is an integral part of our “turnkey” offer.
Thanks to this, we are completely independent and able to take on customised requests.
To put it simply: you place an order with us, our design studio prepares the artwork and then our our engravers and toolmakers are responsible for making the various tools. Each manufacturing process is different according to your wishes, so it’s important to analyse the richness and versatility of this workshop.
Manufacturing tools
Collecting machines
We produce a wide range of manufacturing tools, such as:
- Stamping dies
- Cutters
- Zamak injection moulds
- Prototype pieces
To do this, at our disposal are a multitude of tools, such as:
- Specialised engraving software
- Digitally controlled steel engraving machines
- Traditional machines: Turrets, grinding machines, hardening ovens, reduction lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, etc.
- EDM machines
- Laser engraving and cutting machines
Specialised craftsmen
An environment of tradition and high technology
Our workshop is made up of specialised craftsmen: numerically controlled engravers in charge of controlling the machine with the help of a computer programme. That is to say, from a plan and a manufacturing file, they set the parameters of the machine tool that allow the tool to be engraved in the best conditions. Once the programme has been launched, they must check and make various adjustments to ensure that the process runs smoothly.
Once the run has been completed, the hand engravers begin making any necessary adjustments.
They fine-tune the designs or lettering on the metal, either in relief or recessed, using very fine steel tools of various shapes, such as scoopers or chisels. They can also carry out polishing operations.
Finally, we work with toolmakers, who are in charge of making and maintaining the tools. They imagine the most suitable tool, create it and supervise its operation. This is a job that requires a lot of imagination and expertise.
This place is a real laboratory, we have a creative team with multiple talents capable of responding to all requests. The objective is to create tools with diverse and varied mechanical means, both consistent and complementary to each other.
Precious expertise
Heritage is rare
The sculpture workshop is one of the oldest skills of Ateliers Pichard-Balme.
Necessary for the creation of religious, traditional or souvenir medals, it allows personalised likenesses to be created. The sculptor’s role is to study a model to create a relief. In other words, they shape a first piece using plastiline, to which they give a certain aesthetic form. It is a profession that requires above all a great deal of talent, as one must be capable of having an artistic and technical vision of the project.
This workshop with all these special skills is extremely valuable to our industry, as it provides all the necessary equipment for our teams. Thanks to it, we are completely autonomous and can fulfil orders in a short time. Aware of the rarity of this type of offer, we make a point of passing on our knowledge and we are willing to train new craftsmen entirely on our Saumur site.