grinding and polishing machines from METKON
Perfect cuts with flawless surfaces
Suitable for single and serial preparation of samples.
In the world of grinding preparation, precision is paramount. Our state-of-the-art grinding and polishing machines for Metallography guarantee unmatched accuracy, surface quality and efficiency. They are suitable for both For both individual and serial preparation of ground specimens. We provide you with precise quality products and quality consumables to achieve first-class surfaces without scratches and deformations. With the aim of subjecting the carefully ground and polished samples to a microscopic examination or hardness test.
Grinding and polishing machine: definition
Metallographic grinding and polishing machines are Special equipment for preparing samples for microscopic examinations or hardness tests. These machines have rotating grinding and polishing wheels, which are equipped with abrasive grinding and polishing agents. They enable precise grinding and polishing of the sample, to create a smooth and even surface. The machines often have different speed and pressure settings to meet the requirements of different materials. In addition, they can be equipped with automated functions to simplify the workflow or to automatically save working time and improve the reproducibility of the results. Grinding and polishing machines are indispensable tools in materials science and quality control, as they enable precise analysis of the microstructure of metals.
grinding and polishing machine
Flexibility through manual and automatic models, ideal for laboratories with different requirements.
surface grinder
Grinding machine for fast, efficient planing + grinding of large, hard samples (weld seams, etc.), with high precision and surface quality.
- removal of large volumes
- Fast planning of large areas
fully automated systems
Fully automatic section preparation, perfect for high throughput + large sample quantities
- Fully automatic grinding & polishing
Automatic preparation
Semi-automatic preparation with the highest precision, the latest technology enables the programming of many different demanding grinding and polishing programs
polishing and grinding machines from METKON
FORCIPOL: Manual and semi-automatic grinding and polishing machines
The FORCIPOL series includes manual and semi-automatic polishing and grinding machines. These are characterized by flexibility, ease of use and an attractive price, making them ideal for a wide range of applications in metallography. The manual models allow flexible use for individual grinding and polishing processes through direct intervention. The semi-automatic models enable the programming of programs that standardize the process, improve reproducibility and free the operator from manual section preparation.
Our single and twin spindle grinding and polishing machines can be used as manual, semi-automatic and programmable variants be configured.
- FORCIPOL control: Operation without grinding head/sample mover (manual hand grinding)
- FORCIMAT 52: Semi-automatic operation, one setting – changeover in seconds
- FORCIMAT 102: Programmable, semi-automatic operation
basic grinding and polishing machines
To get started, you can choose between single or dual spindle grinding and polishing machines.
Single-spindle grinding machines & polishing machines:
- Working disks with diameters of 200, 250 and 300 mm
- Powerful 0,75 kW motor is equipped with overload protection
- Variable speed from 50 to 600 rpm
- direction of rotation right/left (same and opposite rotation)
- soft start and stop function
- Flexible use for manual grinding and polishing
Grinding and polishing machines with two-spindle technology
These grinding and polishing machines are equipped with two separate working disks that enable an effective separation of the grinding and polishing areas. This reliably prevents contaminants from the grinding process from entering the polishing area. This protects the quality of the polish from grinding residues and ensures scratch-free, improved surfaces.
On request, two sample holders with a quick-change system can be supplied for the grinding head/sample mover. This achieves complete separation of the grinding and polishing processes. The samples are taken from the sample holder in the grinding area, cleaned and placed in the sample holder in the polishing area (the sample holder does not need to be cleaned).
- Working disks with diameters of 200, 250 and 300 mm
- 0,75 kW motor is equipped with overload protection
- Variable speed from 50 to 600 rpm
- parallel and counter-rotation
- soft start and stop function
- Maximum control and safety during operation
- Long lifespan and reliable performance
FORCIPLAN surface grinding machine: Efficient, high removal rate
Your samples need to be taken with a saw or milling machine and then freed of saw marks, uneven cuts, burrs and other irregularities? Even with coarse sandpaper grain 80 - 120 this can take 30 minutes or more!
The surface grinding machine FORCIPLAN enables fast and efficient surface grinding of uneven sample surfaces (usually <2 minutes). Despite high removal volumes – even several millimeters (!) – one or more individual samples can be prepared in less than 7 minutes, including subsequent fine grinding and polishing. The machine works with a SiC grinding stone that achieves a quality comparable to 240/320 grain sandpaper and enables an immediate transition to fine grinding. The FORCIPLAN surface grinding machine is ideal for applications with high sample throughput, large removal volumes and different surface structures. The programmable control and the powerful drive motor guarantee high material removal and precise processing.
- Fast processing of irregular samples usually <2 min. (<7 min. for finished section)
- SiC whetstone achieves grinding quality comparable to grain 240/320
- Ideal for high sample throughput and large material removal
- Program-controlled process with up to 25 parameter sets
- Powerful 4 kW motor, 500 – 2000 RPM speed
- Possibility of fine-tuning without re-clamping
- Versatile clamping systems for different samples (saw cuts, weld seams, ...)
- Optional circulation cooling system for metallographic sections
VELOX Fully Automatic Grinding + Polishing Machine 6 Sample Holders
The VELOX grinding and polishing center is a fully automatic, programmable system designed for unmanned sample preparation with high sample throughput was developed. It carries out the entire grinding and polishing process automatically, including rough grinding, fine grinding, polishing, cleaning and drying.
The user simply has to insert the sample holders into the automatic feeding system and start the corresponding program. The VELOX can accommodate up to 6 sample holders (with e.g. up to 6 embeddings) at the same time, enabling unmanned preparation (overnight) of e.g. 36 sections. Typical processing times are 12 to 15 minutes per sequence (sample holder). The use of long-lasting diamond grinding wheels and high-quality polishing cloths ensures high preparation quality with minimal operator intervention.
- Fully automatic, programmable sample preparation without operator intervention
- High sample throughput with capacity for up to 6 sample holders simultaneously
- Complete processing: surface grinding, fine grinding, polishing, cleaning and drying
- Typical processing time of approx. 12-15 minutes per sequence
- Use of durable diamond grinding wheels and high-quality polishing cloths
- Easy operation and quick program change
- Continuous and unmanned processing of embedded samples (in the “night shift”)
- Systems include fine grinding/polishing stations, cleaning stations, automatic disc changing system and peristaltic dosing unit
VELOX JR Fully automatic grinding + polishing machine 1 sample holder
The fully automatic grinding and polishing system VELOX JR offers the advantages of the VELOX at a significantly lower investment volume. The VELOX JR also works fully automatic, only the Sample holders must be changed by the operator every 15 minutes (no “night shift” possible).
ACCURA grinding machine + polishing machine, automatic preparation
The ACCURA grinding and polishing system offers the highest precision and quality in the preparation of cut surfaces. It is characterized by an extremely stable machine body with two guide columns and the motorized positioning of the grinding head in the X and Z axes (suitable for target preparation). These machines enable both a central pressure (the sample holder with e.g. 6 clamped samples is centrally loaded with the programmed force) as well as single print (up to 6 embedded samples are inserted loosely "floating" into the sample holder and pressed individually with a ram). The speed of the grinding wheel and the sample mover is infinitely adjustable. Up to 25 programs can be stored in the integrated SIEMENS control system. These can be conveniently created in a few seconds using a graphical user interface on the 5,7-inch touchscreen. The ACCURA is equipped with a low-noise belt drive and enables the use of grinding wheels with a diameter of 250 or 300 mm (recommended). The grinding machine is delivered ready for use and has extensive equipment, including an automatic drip dosing system for lubricant and an extendable cleaning hose.
- Highest precision and quality in sample preparation
- Motorized positioning of the grinding head in X and Z axes
- Central and individual pressure with continuously adjustable rotation speed
- Integrated SIEMENS control with 25 program memory locations
- 5,7 inch touchscreen for easy operation and programming
- Low-noise belt drive, grinding wheel diameter 250 / 300 mm
- Automatic drip dosing for lubricant, extendable cleaning hose
grinding and polishing machines from SCHÜTZ+LICHT
Why SCHÜTZ+LICHT?
With decades of experience in the Metallography and as exclusive sales and service partner of the fleading supplier of sample preparation machines – METKON Ltd. – we offer quality at a fair price and thus set standards in grinding preparation.
See for yourself – by visiting one of our many thousands of customers from industry, universities, research institutes, metallography laboratories of service providers, hardening plants or in our demonstration laboratory in Langenfeld/Rhineland. Thanks to research and further development, the metallography machines from METKON always on the pulse of time. For you, this means precision and safety – in all steps of the preparation process.
FAQs
What are metallography preparation machines and which ones are there?
Preparation machines are special devices used to prepare specimens for microscopic examination or structural analyses They include various types of cutting machines, mounting presses and grinding and polishing machines as well as fully automatic and automatic preparation devices.
Why are metallography preparation machines important?
In quality assurance, research and development, the microstructure analysis has become an essential criterion for determining the quality of the material. For this purpose, samples are examined with a metallographic cutting machine divided, segments embedded, ground, polished and etched in order to subsequently assess grain boundaries, grain sizes, microstructure components and the structure or to test the hardness.
What is the difference between grinding and polishing in metallography?
In metallography, after cutting, a sample is ground flat at the cutting point with abrasive grinding media (SiC sandpaper or diamond grinding wheels) with increasingly finer grain sizes (e.g. 120 / 180 / 360) and then ground ever more finely (e.g. 320 / 600 / 1200).
The surfaces are then polished. The abrasive (synthetic diamond with grain sizes of 6 / 3 / 1 µm) is in a carrier liquid. During the process, the diamond grains are embedded in the mesh of the polishing cloths of varying coarseness and can thus be fixed and carry out an increasingly fine removal until the surface is mirror-like. An acid then dissolves the carbon, for example, and the grain boundaries and grain sizes become visible.
Can a metallographic grinder be used for grinding and polishing?
Yes, a metallographic grinding and polishing machine can be used for both processes. Different carrier disks are attached to the coupling. These carry abrasive grinding media (SiC sandpaper / diamond grinding disks) or polishing cloths in whose mesh the (synthetic) diamond grains in a carrier liquid are embedded and finely polish the surface.
One advantage of the FORCIPOL grinding and polishing machines from METKON, for example, is that they are also available with a double grinding/polishing disc. This significantly reduces the risk of contaminants from the sample grinding causing rough scratches during the polishing process.
What is the difference between manual and automatic grinding and polishing machines?
Manual grinding and polishing devices require the operator to press the sample onto the grinding and polishing disc by hand or using a sample holder. This often results in excessive pressure being applied (hardening) and the sample surface not being flat. The use of a grinding head or sample mover is highly recommended for the quality of the grinding. In addition, up to 6 embedded samples can be automatically ground and polished simultaneously during one grinding process.
How can I limit the costs when purchasing a grinding and polishing machine?
In order to keep the investment volume low, it can be sensible to purchase a grinding and polishing machine with just one disc and a quick-change system for grinding and polishing agents. This system enables you to change between different abrasives and polishing cloths in a matter of seconds. Various quick-change systems are available, including adhesive systems with a plastic contact disc and adhesive surface, as well as magnetic systems for grinding and polishing agents with a magnetic carrier plate.
These options not only reduce the acquisition costs, but also the time for changing consumables and the preparation time.
