The reactivation of the UNITRA brand is one of the most recognisable comebacks in the Polish audio segment. Contemporary Unitra, operating in the premium market, had to combine its design heritage with modern standards of workmanship. Mechanical details are becoming increasingly important in the audio industry – precision of fit, surface quality and user tactile experience. In this context, it became crucial to find a manufacturing partner who would ensure process stability, high repeatability and a full understanding of visual aspects.
Front panels and control knobs are elements that play both a functional and image-building role in premium audio equipment. Their quality directly affects the end user's perception of the product. The main challenges included:
very high aesthetic requirements,
dimensional precision and axiality of components,
repeatability of brushing and glassing structure,
uniformity of silver and black anodising,
resistance to intensive use,
visual consistency of the entire product line with a low margin of error tolerance.
RADMOT was selected as a technology partner thanks to its experience in precision CNC machining of aluminium, its extensive fleet of over 80 CNC machines, and its comprehensive quality control procedures. Another important factor was its flexibility in short and medium series production and direct communication between the design, technology and production departments.
‘We were not looking for a “subcontractor”, but a partner who understands the specifics of the audio industry and is able to work with attention to the smallest detail. RADMOT demonstrated a willingness to engage in iterative prototyping in pursuit of perfection — which was crucial in the context of creating premium Hi-Fi devices.’
Marcin Górecki, Head of Product Owners Unitra
The choice of RADMOT as a technology partner was dictated not only by its engineering expertise and production facilities, but also by a conscious decision to build a fully Polish value chain. Both UNITRA and RADMOT are companies with Polish capital, rooted in the domestic industry and precision engineering.
Geographical and cultural proximity has translated into a shorter supply chain, faster communication and full transparency of production processes. Shorter logistics distances mean not only greater flexibility and security of supply, but above all the possibility of ongoing quality control, process audits and direct technical consultations at every stage of the project.
As part of the cooperation, RADMOT is responsible for the production of front panels and control knobs. The scope includes complete technological processes: CNC milling and turning, surface preparation, brushing, glass coating and anodising, as well as multi-stage quality control.
Panel production begins with the purchase of aluminium blanks, which undergo 100% quality control upon arrival. The components then undergo preliminary brushing, after which the semi-finished products undergo another detailed visual inspection. The next stage is milling on 4-axis CNC centres, which enables precise panel geometry.
After machining, the panels are washed in an ultrasonic cleaner, brushed again and checked for surface defects after each operation. Only then are the prepared elements sent for anodising. After returning from the anodising plant, they undergo another quality control, followed by the dowelling process and a final inspection of the finished detail.
The production of knobs begins with aluminium rods, which are cut and then sent for CNC turning. After the first operation, each element is inspected and cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, which is crucial for the further quality of the surface. Next, the parts are glass-blasted, inspected and subjected to a second, precise turning operation and milling on 5-axis CNC machine tools. The finished raw knobs are divided into colour batches and sent for anodising in natural aluminium and black. Once this is complete, the components undergo a final quality control check for appearance, colour and precision of workmanship.
Each stage of the process is supported by extensive quality control procedures, including both dimensional measurements and visual surface assessment. RADMOT operates in accordance with an Integrated Quality Management System, covering ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 standards, which ensures process consistency, full production traceability and quality stability in demanding industrial projects. This system translates into a high level of process discipline and effective risk management.
An integral part of this approach is an extensive measurement infrastructure – RADMOT has 35 specialised machines and measuring devices at its disposal, which enable ongoing control of key geometric and visual parameters of details. The measurement park supports both inter-operational and final inspections, allowing for the verification of very narrow tolerances, axiality, flatness and production repeatability. As a result, quality control is not a final stage, but a continuous process accompanying each phase of production, which is crucial in projects with high aesthetic and functional requirements.
High-quality mechanics directly translate into user experience. The appropriate resistance of the knob, uniform surface structure and precise fitting of components create the impression of interacting with a product of this class.
"The biggest quality challenge in this project was to simultaneously meet very stringent geometric and visual requirements. From a quality control perspective, it was crucial to maintain coaxiality (turned components), flatness (long, thin-walled milled components) and dimensional repeatability of panels and knobs. Any deviation from the customer's requirements affected not only the assembly, but also the aesthetic perception – the symmetry of the edges and the uniformity of light reflections after anodising. In this project, quality was not defined solely by dimensional compliance, but by assumptions regarding patterns and their visual perfection in series production."
Robert Zieliński, Quality Assurance Department – RADMOT
The collaboration between Unitra and RADMOT is an example of synergy between design and advanced technology. The project shows how a precision subcontractor can truly contribute to the value of a premium brand by supplying components in which aesthetics and engineering are inseparable. It is a model of good practice for Polish industry and the audio sector in this class.