What SPI does

SPI GmbH (Scientific Precision Instruments), founded 1989 in Oppenheim, Germany, develops and manufactures high-precision assembly robots, video microscopes, and micro-dispensing systems for industrial, laboratory, and chemical/pharmaceutical markets. Its proprietary TIMM brand of video microscopes and its P-Jet/VP-Jet dispensing systems complement a robotics line that includes linear, compact, and rotary units. Business is generated through direct sales in Germany and via distribution partner SPI Asia Co. Ltd. in South Korea, with the company led by Managing Director Dr. Udo Sonnhof.

Name

SPI

Legal name

Scientific Precision Instruments GmbH

Website

https://spi-robot.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Robotics and Microscopy Equipment

NAICS

Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Pneumatic Components (FRLs, Cylinders, Valves) (IMAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pneumatic Air Preparation & Distribution (FRL assemblies, manifolds, air headers) (IMAHAGAD)

Keywords

• Precision robotics systems
• Video microscopy equipment
• Micro-dispensing automation
• Industrial assembly robots
• Contactless dispensing technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Nieder-olm

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Precision Robotics Systems: Sale of high-precision robots for micro-assembly tasks, positioning, and dispensing applications. One-time hardware sales with optional customization and integration services.
2. TIMM Microscope Products: Sale of video microscope systems (TIMM analog, digital, and modular) including accessories and optical components for digital cameras and camcorders.
3. Dispensing Systems: Sale of non-contact and contact dispensing systems including P-Jet, VP-Jet, Piezo-Jet, Solenoid-Jet variants, and dispensing capillaries for various viscosity materials.
4. Professional Services: Custom system development and integration services for chemical and pharmacological applications, including multi-dispenser systems and customer-specific configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SPI develops and manufactures high-precision dispensing and assembly robots, the proprietary TIMM family of video microscopes (analog, digital, and modular), and a broad portfolio of contactless and contacting micro-dispensing systems. The equipment is used to dispense fluids from 100 picoliters with viscosities up to 100,000 mPa·s, and to perform vision-guided micro-assembly under microscopy for industrial and laboratory applications.

Product overview

SPI GmbH (Scientific Precision Instruments) develops and manufactures a portfolio of precision robotics, video microscopes, and dispensing systems. The product portfolio centers on three main categories: (1) Robots including Dosierroboter (dispensing robots) and Montageroboter (assembly robots) that achieve micrometer-level precision for assembly tasks; (2) TIMM microscopes (TIMM analog, TIMM digital, TIMM Modular) — Technisch Industrielles Miniatur Mikroskope — small video microscopes with continuous magnification variation from 0.1 to 400x, supporting cameras with USB, GigE, firewire, and high-speed interfaces; and (3) Dispensing systems including P-Jet, VP-Jet, Piezo-Jet, Solenoid-Jet, and multi-dispenser systems for contactless dispensing of materials with viscosities from 100 pl to 100,000 mPa.s. Additional products include micro vacuum grippers with microscopic control, optical components for converting digital cameras and camcorders into microscopes, and accessories such as dispensing capillaries, drop measurement systems, and microscope lighting. The systems often integrate image processing for precision control and positioning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dispensing Robots (Dosierroboter) High-precision dispensing robots for industrial micro-dispensing applications, integrated with SPI's TIMM microscope family for real-time visual control. Targeted at manufacturers requiring repeatable, sub-millimeter fluid placement.
• Assembly Robots (Montageroboter) Vision-guided assembly robots for precision micro-assembly operations in industrial and laboratory environments.
• TIMM Analog Microscope Analog video microscope in SPI's proprietary TIMM (Technisch Industrielles Miniatur Mikroskop) family, designed for continuous observation of micro-manufacturing and assembly processes.
• TIMM Digital Microscope Digital video microscope in the TIMM family, enabling digital image capture, documentation, and analysis of micro-scale manufacturing processes.
• TIMM Modular Microscope Modular variant of the TIMM microscope family that can be configured with different optical components and interfaces for custom inspection setups.
• P-Jet 100 and P-Jet 200 Contactless Dispensers Pneumatic contactless jetting dispensers for precise, non-contact application of small fluid volumes.
• VP-Jet / VP-Jet-M Contactless Dispensers Vacuum/pressure-controlled contactless dispensers for jetting of low- to medium-viscosity fluids in micro-dispensing workflows.
• Piezo-Jet Dispenser Piezoelectric-driven contactless dispenser for ultra-precise micro-dispensing of fluids in picoliter volumes.
• Solenoid-Jet Dispenser Solenoid-driven contactless dispenser engineered for medium-viscosity fluids up to 100,000 mPa·s.
• Contactless Multi-Dispensers (Berührungsfreie Multidosierer) Multi-channel contactless dispensers that enable simultaneous jetting of multiple fluid streams for parallel micro-dispensing.
• Contact Dispensers (Berührende Dosierer) Contacting dispensers for traditional contact-based micro-dispensing applications.
• Micro Vacuum Grippers (Mikro-Vakuumgreifer) Compact vacuum-based grippers designed to pick and place very small parts during micro-assembly operations.
• Digital Photo Cameras as Microscopes Optical configurations that allow digital photo cameras to be deployed as microscopes for inspection workflows.
• Camcorders as Microscopes Optical configurations that allow consumer camcorders to be used as video microscopes for observation and documentation.
• Dispensing Capillaries (Dosier-Kapillaren) Precision capillaries used as nozzles for SPI's dispensing systems.
• Optical Components for Digital Cameras Range of optical components supplied to integrate digital cameras into microscopy and inspection setups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Assembly precision in micrometer range with image-processing guidance
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SPI Asia Co. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPI Asia Co. Ltd. serves as the exclusive regional distribution partner for Asian markets. Located in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, the partner handles sales and customer support for SPI's precision robotics, microscopy, and dispensing systems in the Asia region. The partnership extends SPI's geographic reach beyond its German manufacturing base to serve Asian industrial and laboratory customers.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Keyence: Keyence is a global industrial automation incumbent offering sensors, microscopes, and vision systems. Comparable to SPI's TIMM microscope and vision-guided robotics in industrial quality-control applications, but at vastly larger scale.
• Zeiss: Zeiss manufactures high-end microscopes and optical instruments for industrial, life-science, and electronics inspection. Comparable to SPI's TIMM microscope line on magnification and inspection capability, though as a broad incumbent serving far larger markets.
• Bürkert Fluid Control Systems: German-headquartered manufacturer of fluid control valves, sensors, and dispensing systems. Comparable to SPI on the pneumatic/solenoid valve technology underlying its dispensers, but operates as a broad industrial incumbent rather than a micro-assembly specialist.

Direct peers

• Tecan: Tecan develops laboratory automation platforms including precision liquid handling and dispensing for life-science and diagnostics customers. Comparable to SPI on automated precision dosing, though at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• PI (Physik Instrumente): PI is a leading manufacturer of precision positioning systems, piezo actuators, and nanopositioning technology. Comparable to SPI's high-precision robotics and piezo-based dispensing (Piezo-Jet) capabilities in industrial and laboratory applications.
• Hamilton Company: Hamilton produces precision liquid handling robotics, syringes, and dispensing systems for laboratory automation and pharmaceutical applications. Comparable to SPI's micro-dispensing technology combined with vision-guided robotic platforms.
• Musashi Engineering: Japanese precision dispenser manufacturer specializing in non-contact and contact jetting valves for electronics assembly and life sciences. Comparable to SPI on pneumatic/solenoid dispensing technology with similar application focus.
• Fisnar: Fisnar manufactures precision dispensing equipment, valves, and robotic systems for industrial adhesives, coatings, and micro-dosing applications. Directly overlaps with SPI's dispensing robot and non-contact dispenser portfolio.
• Nordson EFD: Nordson's precision fluid dispensing division manufactures non-contact and contact dispensing valves, systems, and automation for industrial micro-dosing. Closely comparable to SPI's P-Jet, VP-Jet, and Piezo-Jet dispenser families serving similar electronics, medical, and packaging customers.
• Aerotech: Aerotech manufactures precision motion control, positioning stages, and robotic systems for high-accuracy industrial automation. Comparable to SPI's micrometer-accurate assembly and dispensing robots, though with broader motion-control scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPI