History

From the Fraunhofer lab to your production.

Since 1998 we translate research into industrial-grade test technology – consistently, precisely, in partnership.

Timeline

Milestones.

1998

Foundation

RTE GmbH founded as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (IZFP) in Pfinztal. First product: acoustic resonance testing for cast parts.

2002

First series solution

Development and delivery of the first fully automated acoustic inline test system for a German foundry customer. Cycle time under 2 seconds.

2005

Automotive Tier-1

First inline system at a Tier-1 automotive supplier. Start of brake disc eigenfrequency testing in three-shift operation.

2010

SonicTC platform

Launch of the SonicTC software platform: noise testing, material testing and process monitoring in one software for the first time.

2014

Internationalization

Joined the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA). First installations in Asia and North America. Founding of RTE India.

2020

Innovation award

"Innovative through research" award from the Stifterverband. AI-based anomaly detection integrated into SonicTC.

2024

180th inline system

Delivery of the 180th inline test system worldwide. New SonicTC.NVH release with extended psychoacoustic evaluation.

2026

Generational change in management

The Krahtov brothers join as managing directors and take over operational leadership together. Continuity for customers and employees, fresh momentum for platform strategy, internationalization and scaling of the SonicTC solutions.

Numbers

Four decades in metrics.

40+
years of experience
50+
employees
180+
inline systems worldwide
15+
countries with installations
Science

Research as a driver.

From basic research to test technology.

Every method in SonicTC is based on applied research. Every year we invest a significant share of revenue in R&D – in close collaboration with research institutes and universities.

Our algorithms for damping and quality factor analysis are unique in the market. AI-based anomaly detection enables testing that previously required defective parts for training.

Innovative through research – seal
With SonicTC we made the jump from sampling to 100% inline testing – without replacing our existing hardware.
Dr. M. Hofmann Head of Quality Engineering · Tier-1 Automotive Supplier

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