Active Shoulder Relief During Heat Treatment: WERZ Relies on the S700 Active Shoulder Exoskeleton

Heavy, unwieldy components and repetitive tasks performed above shoulder height are part of everyday life at WERZ Vakuum-Wärmebehandlung GmbH & Co. KG. As a specialized heat treatment facility for vacuum hardening, plasma nitriding, and coating, WERZ is a key service provider in the metalworking industry—with clear requirements for occupational safety and ergonomics.

To specifically reduce strain on the shoulders, the company has been using exoIQ’s S700 active shoulder exoskeleton since March 2026. Two systems are currently in use and are being gradually integrated into various work areas.

Shoulder strain as a specific cause for action

“We kept hearing from employees that they were having shoulder problems,” reports Hans Ostertag, who has been with the company for many years and oversees occupational safety. Manual tasks that require moving heavy or bulky components without mechanical lifting aids are particularly challenging.

In heat treatment, the range of components varies from a few milligrams to approximately 1,000 kilograms per piece. Unless lifting aids can be used, manual handling is generally limited to weights of about 20 to 25 kilograms. Especially when working above chest and shoulder height, this results in high and repetitive strain on the shoulder muscles and joints. For WERZ, it was clear: concrete action is needed here.

Why an active shoulder exoskeleton?

Even before the S700 was put into use, WERZ had gained experience with passive exoskeletons—that is, exoskeletons without an external power source. However, they did not deliver the desired results. “We weren’t entirely satisfied with that,” said Ostertag. The focus therefore shifted to active systems—devices powered by an external energy source that provide targeted force in the shoulder area.

The S700 is particularly effective for tasks involving holding, repetitive lifting motions, and activities performed with raised arms. Especially when working with heavy and unwieldy workpieces, this active support makes a noticeable difference in day-to-day work. For WERZ, this was a decisive factor in revisiting the topic and addressing it systematically.

Integration into the daily work routine at WERZ

Currently, WERZ primarily uses the exoskeletons for loading and unloading heat-treatment batches, as well as for parts handling. Additional applications, such as maintenance work or tire handling for the company’s own fleet of logistics vehicles, are already in the works.

According to Maximilian Geiger, Head of Vacuum Hardening, the exoskeletons are already fully operational for specific repetitive tasks. At the same time, he emphasizes that success depends heavily on proper implementation: “Employees must receive thorough instruction and training.”

Not every employee reacts to the technology in the same way. The feedback has been particularly positive from colleagues who were already experiencing shoulder pain. The rollout is supported by the exoIQ app, which analyzes movement patterns and identifies tasks where targeted shoulder support offers the greatest benefit.

“The S700 exoskeleton offers us a practical way to specifically relieve the strain on our employees’ shoulders during their daily work. When integrated effectively, it becomes a true support system for occupational safety.” – Hans Ostertag, Occupational Safety, WERZ Vakuum Wärmebehandlung GmbH & Co. KG

Conclusion: Active shoulder relief as a sustainable contribution to workplace safety

With the S700 active shoulder exoskeleton, WERZ is taking a practical and realistic approach to reducing shoulder strain in everyday work. The rollout is being carried out deliberately in stages, based on data, and closely aligned with actual workplace activities.

The focus here is not on quick gains in efficiency, but on long-term occupational safety. Or, as Hans Ostertag puts it: “If there is a practical way to noticeably reduce the strain on the shoulders, we should take advantage of it.”

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