Frequently asked questions

1zu1 provides training in technical apprenticeships, e.g., metalworking, plastics processing, and plastics technology (advanced training in plastics processing).

• Metalworking/machining technology: approx. 3.5 years.
• Plastics processing technology: approx. 3 years.
• Plastics technology: approx. 4 years (2 years of plastics processing technology + 2 years of advanced training).

You will learn manual and technical skills such as turning, milling, drilling, and CNC programming, as well as manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, vacuum casting, and injection molding—all in a practical setting in our own training workshop.

The first year of training consists of basic training in the workshop. In the following years, you will work in various departments and work productively on real manufacturing tasks, e.g., on CNC machines or in the vacuum and injection molding areas.

The apprentice remuneration increases with each year of training and is around €13,000.00 in the first year, for example. If you perform well, you can receive up to 20% extra through a bonus system.

Yes – you will attend vocational school in Bregenz regularly alongside your training (e.g., once a week or block teaching).

After passing the final apprenticeship examination, you will receive a skilled worker qualification. There are then a wide range of career and further training opportunities, e.g., group leader, apprentice trainer, department head, HTL attendance, or further technical training.

You can apply online (lehre@1zu1.eu), by email, or by mail. Apply with a cover letter, resume, references, and photo—and indicate which apprenticeship you are interested in.

The apprenticeship takes place at the factory and training workshop in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg, Austria), which is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and has good transport links.

1zu1 is a training company that has received multiple government awards. It offers a friendly team, modern workplaces, a bonus system, and excellent opportunities for future careers. You will also gain practical experience with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology.

Questions about the apprenticeship can be answered by apprentice trainer Dominik Kutzer, for example, by phone or email—you can find the contact details on the apprenticeship contact page at 1zu1.

1zu1 combines technological diversity with decades of experience in plastics manufacturing and offers an environment in which innovation, precision, and speed are core values—and in which employees can actively participate in the development of new 3D technologies.

The company offers a secure job, an inspiring working environment with bright offices and mountain views, a friendly team, thorough training, fair pay, and additional social benefits such as a discounted canteen.

The working atmosphere is characterized by team spirit and cooperation. Employees work in high-tech areas, tinker with exciting projects, and have room for their own ideas and responsibility.

1zu1 promotes the development and responsibility of each employee. There is scope for creativity, development opportunities in various areas, and internal prospects for expanding technical and organizational skills.

1zu1 covers a wide range of areas such as 3D printing, injection molding, mechanical manufacturing, measurement technology/CT, administration, sales, and office/organization—all with room for different talents and skills.

We are looking for people with an interest in technology, curiosity, the courage to try new things, manual skills, the ability to work in a team, and the willingness to take on responsibility and actively help shape innovative solutions.

New colleagues receive thorough training to help them get started and ensure that they are quickly integrated into the processes and can contribute to the success of the company.

Teamwork is a central part of the corporate culture. Collaboration across departments and disciplines is encouraged and valued in order to develop creative ideas and technical solutions together.

1zu1 welcomes career changers and people from diverse professional backgrounds—experience and motivation are often valued more highly than formal qualifications.

Interested applicants can submit their application online, by email, or by mail. Documents will be treated confidentially, and if they meet the requirements, a personal interview will follow.

Because 1zu1 is a long-standing high-tech employer with a clear focus on the future, diverse development opportunities, a friendly working environment, and interesting projects where you can actively contribute to technological challenges.

Confidentiality applies immediately from the first contact, not only after a written agreement has been signed.

All premises are secured by a chip-controlled access system. Customers and interested parties may only enter areas where no projects are visible if accompanied by a member of staff.

Yes, all employees sign written confidentiality agreements.

With a vertical range of manufacture of over 95%, most of the data remains internal. If partner companies are involved, they are also subject to strict confidentiality rules.

Yes, there are confidentiality agreements for customer projects and powers of attorney for 1zu1direkt administrators.

Only products and projects for which written approval has been obtained from the customer are used for marketing purposes. The copyright remains with the customer.

All confidentiality obligations are lifted upon signature (stamp and signature) by the customer for a specific project.

No, ideas, developments, or knowledge are not used for our own purposes and are not passed on to partner companies.

Please send us STEP data if possible, as this format is best suited for transferring complete, accurate CAD information. Alternatively, we also accept PARASOLID and STL.

STEP transfers complete CAD information, including geometry and product structure, and can be reliably imported into various CAD and manufacturing systems, resulting in better production results.

Yes. STL files are possible, but STL files carry a higher risk of poor surfaces or faulty prints if they are poorly resolved. We will take care of the optimal STL conversion for you, tailored to the planned manufacturing technology.

DXF or DWG files are ideal for 2D drawings.

For printing, labeling, or laser engraving data, we accept vector-based formats (e.g., vector data or PDF files with position and size specifications). Depending on the process (pad printing, digital printing, etc.), additional specifications such as color definitions (RAL, Pantone, CMYK) and minimum resolutions apply.

Avoid poorly prepared STL files with low resolution or inaccurate geometries. These can lead to undesirable results in 3D printing.

After uploading, our team will review your files, check them for manufacturability, and advise you on any necessary adjustments or conversions to achieve the best result for your project.

New customers will only be supplied with their first order upon 100% prepayment. Production will only begin once the agreed amount has been received by 1zu1 in its bank account.

Existing customers in the DACH region, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein receive their delivery on account and can transfer the invoice amount within the agreed payment term. Customers outside the DACH region can also pay by bank transfer.

Yes. Down payments or partial payments are possible depending on the scope or type of order. Once an agreed down payment has been received, 1zu1 will begin manufacturing the ordered parts.

Purchase on account is possible if you are already a customer. The invoice amount must then be paid within the agreed payment term after receipt of the goods, without deduction and free of charges. There are no invoice fees, but shipping and customs clearance costs may apply.

For customers in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, additional customs clearance and transport costs are charged. The invoice includes 8.1% Swiss VAT – please also note the special customs formalities for CH and LI.

The website does not mention any direct payment services such as credit card, PayPal, or similar online payment services as standard. The usual payment methods are bank transfer, prepayment, or purchase on account for existing customers.

In the event of late payment, the agreed payment terms and legal provisions in 1zu1's general terms and conditions of purchase or business apply (e.g., deadlines, discount options, consequences of late payment). These also regulate, among other things, deadlines for discounts or net payments and possible measures in the event of late payment.

Digital invoicing by email is expressly desired and possible – e.g. to the address e-rechnung@1zu1.eu.

1zu1 uses both optical 3D measurement technology (e.g., GOM Atos Triple Scan) and computed tomography (CT) to measure complex components.

CT is a non-contact and non-destructive 3D scanning process that digitally captures both the external and internal structures of a component. It provides high-resolution measurement data for quality assurance, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, and other applications.

• High-resolution 3D images (up to ~3000×2500 pixels)
• Measurements accurate to ±0.01 mm
• Detection of dimensional deviations, material inclusions, warping, etc.
• Evaluation and process monitoring possible across entire batches.

CT is suitable for a variety of components—from microscopic to larger objects (standard up to approx. 150 × 300 mm)—and can also measure transparent or reflective surfaces.

Optical 3D scanners measure contactlessly with camera systems and generate complete 3D data of the component surface, which visualizes deviations when compared with CAD data sets.

Depending on the method, measurement results are available in a short time (often within a few minutes to hours), so that deviations can be quickly assessed.

3D measurement data is used for quality assurance, product development, documentation, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, and digital archiving, among other things.

ISO 9001 stands for an internationally recognized quality management system that ensures transparent, traceable processes, continuous improvement, error reduction, and high product and process quality.

EN ISO 13485 is a special standard for manufacturers of medical products and confirms that 1zu1 meets all regulatory and safety-related requirements in this sensitive area.

Measurement technology such as 3D scanning and computer tomography is used specifically for continuous quality assurance, process monitoring, and deviation analysis.

Regular audits, continuous process improvements, documented procedures, and the use of modern measurement technologies ensure consistently high product and process quality.

Time frame until you receive a customized quote.

Mon–Thu: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Fri: 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• 3D printing: approx. 4 hours
• Mechanical manufacturing/vacuum casting: approx. 24 hours
• Injection molding: approx. 48 hours
• Reorders: approx. 4 hours

You can place the order or ask questions; the 1zu1 team will support you every step of the way.

For Austria and Germany, 1zu1 works with Terminkurier Austria, DHL, and Gebrüder Weiss (for pallets). Transport is carried out in accordance with Incoterm CPT (“Carriage Paid To”): 1zu1 takes care of the organization and costs of transport to the agreed delivery location and shows these transparently on the invoice.

With Incoterm CPT, 1zu1 covers the transport costs and organization to the agreed delivery location. The costs are then clearly shown on your invoice.

For CH and LI, 1zu1 uses Swiss Post (“Priority” with next working day delivery) and Gebrüder Weiss (for pallets). Customs clearance takes place on weekdays at around 11:00 a.m. and is not handled directly by the customer, but by 1zu1 itself. 1zu1 acts as a Swiss company and ships exclusively under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms.

DDP means that 1zu1 covers all transport and customs costs as well as formalities up to delivery. The DDP costs shown on the invoice include shipping, customs clearance, and postal delivery in CH/LI.

In this case, 1zu1 will prepare a separate calculation for shipping and customs clearance. An individual request should be made for this.

Shipping is carried out by one of our transport partners (e.g., DHL or Gebrüder Weiss) after the prices for the respective individual case have been determined.

1zu1 handles customs clearance in its own name and pays the Swiss VAT directly to the Swiss tax office. There are no additional customs formalities for you as a customer.

Yes. 1zu1 charges 8.1% Swiss VAT in its quotations and invoices, as it operates there as a Swiss company.

If a tool is manufactured and stored at 1zu1 and the manufactured parts are delivered to Switzerland, 8.1% Swiss VAT is charged on the tool costs on a pro rata basis. No Austrian tax is payable.

In this case, the VAT rates of the destination country (e.g., 20% in Austria) apply to the tool costs.

Since July 1, 2021, delivery to an EU country is only possible if the Swiss company, as the invoice recipient, has a valid VAT number for the destination country. If VAT numbers are available and registered, delivery and invoicing are carried out without VAT.

1zu1 stores master models, molds, tools, reference and color samples, and fixtures in an automated KARDEX storage system so that they are quickly available for reorders.

As standard, 1zu1 stores them free of charge for at least one year, unless the customer has previously approved their disposal.

Then all stock assigned to the item is disposed of professionally, unrecognizably, and in an environmentally friendly manner—except in the case of injection molding tools.

Tools for injection molding production are stored free of charge for three years after the last production/order. After this period, they are disposed of properly, unless longer storage has been agreed in advance.

Yes. Before the three years expire, you will receive an offer from 1zu1 for extended storage of the tool inventory.

Yes. Stereolithography parts (STL) can warp or break due to water absorption, which is why they often cannot be used multiple times for silicone mold production.

No. Only the finished parts produced are delivered to customers. The tools, master models, and auxiliary materials remain in storage for possible reorders.

The KARDEX system ensures that all tools and aids can be found quickly and made available for fast delivery of reorders.