We had an enjoyable bus ride ahead of us, during which many of us brushed up on our tie-tying skills and attempted to win a Taylor mug by solving a puzzle. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with lunch and a presentation about PM. Founded in 1966 with a focus on linear crossed roller bearings, PM now produces advanced positioning systems, including those for wafer handling (ASML might want to take note!). We were treated to an excellent tour of their production halls and offices, where each step of the manufacturing process has its own dedicated room: the drill room, the mill room, and even the furnace room, which is still fueled by charcoal. We also saw the assembly room, where workers precisely place tiny balls or cylinders for the linear bearings, and the cleanroom, dedicated to assembling wafer handlers. The office space was also impressive. We had to leave early to beat the inevitable traffic jams, though we didn’t escape them entirely. All in all, PM proved to be an impressive high-tech company with room for growth, even if it’s a bit of a distance from Delft.
PM Company Visit
