Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design

Designing the grind

For Bühler, we designed the NOVA S Ball Mill, a cocoa grinding platform that refines roasted cocoa nibs into particles smaller than the tongue can perceive, creating the smooth melt that defines fine chocolate. The formal vocabulary translates Bühler’s brand DNA into an industrial machine optimized for efficient Swiss manufacturing, hygienic food processing, and safe operation in demanding production environments worldwide.

Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design
Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design
Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design
Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design
Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design
Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design

The machine architecture is divided into two structural zones: a food-processing zone and a drive zone. This clear separation supports the requirements of hygienic design. A vertical stand formally and functionally separates the aggregate section from the process area.

Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design

Clean joint lines structure and rhythmize the large surfaces. The design relies primarily on two-dimensional sheet-metal developments, avoiding complex welded constructions. This approach reduces manufacturing effort and allows the machine to be produced in Switzerland as efficiently as possible.

What matters when designing investment goods for the food processing industry?

Designing large-scale investment goods means designing for long lifecycles, demanding environments, and high economic stakes. In Switzerland, industrial manufacturing is expensive due to high labor costs. Designers therefore need a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and their constraints.

Good design aligns function, manufacturing logic, and operational needs within a clear and consistent formal language. It reduces complexity, supports efficient fabrication and assembly, and respects hygienic and safety requirements. The result is reliable, maintainable machinery that communicates engineering quality and builds trust over decades of use.

Industrial & Brand Design for Bühler by FOND Design

Client

Bühler AG

Designers

Dominic Sturm

Services

Industrial Design

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