PORTFOLIO

Project presentations on the website

Every project supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung is made accessible with a web presentation that informs about the core data of the project. With this public presentation, the foundation publishes the funding results achieved and contributes to the communication of science to society.

Close

Swiss Plasma Polishing – Best Metal Finishing with Plasma Jet Polishing (EXECUTE)

Editorial

The project management is responsible for the content of the information provided.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-010/25 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 100'000 
  • Approved: 23.04.2025 
  • Duration: 06.2025 - 10.2026 
  • Area of activity:  First Ventures, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

Polishing of metal components is a critical finishing step for medical implants, food and pharmaceutical equipment, watches and much more. Conventional mechanical polishing is limited in workpiece geometries and poses a risk of contaminating the surface. As a result, electrochemical polishing is widely used. However, it relies on hazardous chemicals that put workers and the environment at risk, and it requires labour-intensive pre- and post-processing. The problem is even greater for 3D-printed metal parts, where finishing often costs more than printing the part itself.

Our solution is plasma electrolytic polishing (PEP): we achieve high-quality surface finishes in a single step with sustainable, water-based electrolytes that improve safety and reduce environmental impact. Using an electrolyte jet (PEP-Jet), we can selectively polish defined areas of a workpiece, even complex shapes and cavities that are impossible to reach with other techniques. We can achieve different finishes on the same workpiece and polish only where it is needed, saving energy and time. We offer both PEP bath and PEP-Jet polishing as a service. Swiss Plasma Polishing makes metal finishing cleaner, faster and more efficient.

Status/Results

Thanks to the support of the Gebert Rüf Stiftung, we were able to bring plasma polishing from the lab to the market. We built an automated machine for plasma polishing with bath and jet, controlled by our own software and a robot. We are now offering plasma polishing as a service for companies from medtech, industry and the watch sector, and more. Next, we will further automate the polishing process and expand our service to larger series and new materials. In the long term, we also plan to offer compact plasma polishing machines for on-site use, for example in dental production.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Yan Scholl, Project leader, LinkedIn
Cédric Bessire, Advisor

Last update to this project presentation  10.11.2026