CeiliX accelerates prototype construction and pre-series of

When products are still in development, requirements often change with every iteration. In this phase, procurement quickly becomes a critical factor: if components are missing or coordination is delayed, tests and optimization loops come to a standstill. CeiliX therefore relies on digital procurement with FACTUREE in prototype construction and pre-series production.

The focus is on complex components for the InfinityCrane - a modular, rail-guided ceiling automation system. CeiliX uses FACTUREE to obtain the required drawing parts at short notice, can implement design changes flexibly and relieve internal resources in purchasing in a targeted manner.

CeiliX Technology GmbH develops automation solutions for logistics and production environments in which transport and handling processes are relocated to the hall ceiling. The core product is the InfinityCrane with its rail-guided „SkyRunner“ drive unit, which moves loads omnidirectionally in the ceiling space. Depending on the design, the overhead crane system can handle loads of up to one ton.

Complex components, high mix of variants - limited purchasing resources

In the early development phase of the InfinityCrane, CeiliX did not have its own specialized purchasing department. At the same time, procurement placed high demands: The overhead crane system requires high-precision milled parts with CNC 3-axis machining - with tight tolerances, different alloys, various threads, helicoils and specific surface coatings such as galvanic processes. In addition, regular design adjustments were made at the prototype stage.

„This combination quickly leads to a high level of coordination in purchasing: searching for suppliers, technical clarifications, coordination on post-processing and quality - often across several individual suppliers,“ explains Dr. Torsten Siedel, CTO of CeiliX Technology GmbH. „We therefore needed a procurement model that reliably covers drawing parts, including post-processing, without having to build up and manage a large pool of suppliers internally.“

One central interface instead of many individual suppliers

During this phase, CeiliX decided to work with FACTUREE. The decisive factor was that this procurement model requires only one contractual partner and one central interface - with simultaneous access to a broad manufacturing network.

FACTUREE pools the expertise of over 2,000 audited manufacturing partners worldwide and handles the entire process from the initial inquiry to production, post-processing and delivery. Liability issues, audit requirements and administrative work are managed centrally by the procurement service provider. The digital mapping of all process steps and AI-supported methods support efficient supplier selection and cost-effective production decisions.

„We were particularly impressed by the fact that we only have one contractual partner in FACTUREE and at the same time benefit from a broad network of manufacturers,“ says Dr. Torsten Siedel. „We have a fixed contact person who advises and supports us. FACTUREE takes care of sourcing and all other downstream processes. This reduces supplier management and coordination loops to a minimum.“

Read the full case study on FACTUREE's website: https://www.facturee.de/en/ceilix-accelerates-prototyping-and-pre-series-production/