Linsinger sets new standards in milling stainless steel
4 plate edge milling machines – designed exclusively for stainless steel production – are already in use worldwide exceeding expectations under tough conditions
Stainless steel is a hard nut to crack for milling machines. It readily clogs the cutting tool due to its toughness. The varying chemical compositions and mechanical properties of the individual types of stainless steel require completely different cutting and tension parameters to non-alloy steels; the maximum processing speed is correspondingly lower. Efficient machining of stainless steels therefore poses a significant challenge.
The Austrian manufacturerer of special purpose machines, company LINSINGER, has taken on this challenge – and has succeeded, as shown in practice. The first stainless steel plate edge milling machine has been successfully in use since Autumn 2011 on the premises of a leading producer of stainless steel pipes. In the longitudinal welding process, pipes for the natural gas and oil industry (petrochemical) are manufactured there.
Since then, 3 more plate edge milling machines for stainless steel have been designed and built according to customer requirements. All of these 4 PFMs for stainless steel are in operation without any problems – all around the world...
Complete profile in one milling stage
The machine from the Linsinger PFM series ensures the optimum preparation of the welding seams on the two long sides of the stainless steel plates. The machine has a wertical plate waviness tracking funtion and the milling units work over the whole plate length with high precision. They particularly allow the whole milling profile to be produced in a single working step on both long sides at the same time. This is a decisive plus point for perfect welding, which should ideally be produced in one go. The cutter head must only be replaced when changing to a different profile; this exchange can also be automated.
Particularly resistant tools
Another advantage of the PFM is its huge flexibility: All parameters can be adapted to the different types of stainless steels. As the machine measures each plate separately, even the smallest batch sizes can be produced efficiently. Linsinger has also developed specific, multi-layer coated and particularly resistant carbide inserts with special cutting geometries for a wide range of stainless steels.
Millions in Savings
With this innovative and unique concept, Linsinger sets new standards in accuracy, speed and efficiency when machining stainless steel. The high service life and short cutting times make a contribution as well as the milling precision with correspondingly low loss of material. "Stainless steel is expensive. Savings totalling millions can result over the life cycle of the machine", emphasises Linsinger CEO, Hans Knoll.