High-precision granite components for mechanical engineering and special machine construction
Custom-made machine beds and superstructure components made of the natural hard stone granite - individually produced according to your requirements. Our experienced technicians will support you right from the planning stage.
Granite of the highest precision for mechanical engineering
Granite as a material for machine beds and superstructure components in (special) mechanical engineering is ideal wherever micrometer precision is required. The natural hard stone offers outstanding thermal stability, maximum vibration damping and is completely stress-free. This ensures dimensional accuracy and long-term stability even under changing environmental conditions.
Granite can also be used very flexibly. Thanks to its fine crystalline structure, the material can be processed with extreme precision. This makes it particularly suitable for special machines where maximum precision is required.
We manufacture your machine beds, guide bodies or measuring carriers from granite exactly according to your requirements. We can also flexibly mount drill holes, threaded inserts and guide rails according to your requirements.
Zum WerkstoffvergleichBranchenbeispiele: Von PLANOLITH realisierte Projekte im Sondermaschinenbau
PLANOLITH is one of the leading manufacturers of granite machine beds and superstructure components for mechanical engineering and especially for special machines. We supply customized solutions for the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, aircraft construction, the solar industry, the semiconductor industry, laser processing and additive manufacturing (3D printing), among others.
Technologische Vorteile von Maschinenkomponenten aus Granit
Thanks to its unique properties, granite offers numerous technological advantages that make it an ideal material for precision applications in special machine construction. Especially in combination with air bearing technology or linear technology, granite ensures maximum precision, smooth running and durability.
Our granite components are manufactured under controlled climatic conditions to achieve the highest levels of precision of up to 1 µm/m. This enables exact positioning and movement in your machines.
The natural damping ability of granite ensures that our components effectively absorb vibrations and thus guarantee stable processes. This is particularly important in applications where high precision and reliability are required.
Granite has very low thermal expansion, which means that our components retain their shape and size even when the temperature changes. This ensures high stability and precision in your machines.
Our granite components are non-conductive, corrosion-free and require minimal maintenance. This reduces operating costs and increases the service life of your machines.
Material comparison
Dimensional stability, damping capacity and warpage resistance: three outstanding advantages of granite compared to steel, cast iron or polymer- and cement-bonded mineral casting. Granite, a natural hard stone, is the best choice for dynamic or visually sensitive applications requiring high precision.
| Property | Granite | Steel (e.g. S235) | Cast iron (EN-GJL-250) | Polymer concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear expansion [µm/mK] | 5-7 | ~11-13 | ~10-11 | 12-20 |
| Residual stress | None | Yes | Yes | None |
| Damping capacity | Very good | Medium | Low | Good to very good |
| Electrically conductive | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Density [g/cm³] | ~2,9-3,0 | ~7,85 | ~7,2 | ~2,1-2,4 |
| Compressive strength [N/mm²] | 200-300 | 250-1200 | 600-1000 | 100-180 |
| Flexural strength [N/mm²] | 13-20 | >300 | 200-300 | 25-35 |
| Thermal conductivity [W/m-K] | ~3 | ~45-50 | ~50 | 1,3-2 |
| Surface roughness Ra [µm] | ~0,2-0,9 | (depending on process) | (process-dependent) | (depending on material) |
Technical processing - from your idea to delivery
As an experienced manufacturer of granite machine beds and superstructure components, we turn your ideas and requirements into high-precision, customized machine components. We advise and support you right from the start:
- We advise you on the choice of material type for your application.
- Our technical advice supports you in the design planning of your special machine.
- Our experienced specialists manufacture the components you have designed in accordance with DIN ISO 2768-1 in an ideal, temperature-stable environment.
- If necessary, we mill cable ducts, glue in threaded inserts and assemble linear guides according to your specifications.
- All of our products leave the factory with a test certificate, including DAkkS certification on request.
- If necessary, we can support you with the installation and leveling of your special machine.
- During operation, we take care of regular recalibration and any necessary repairs.
At PLANOLITH you will find all-round support for your special machine.
New design, modification or optimization of your system
PLANOLITH is not only the right partner for planning a new system. Do you just need an assembly or a special individual part for your special machine? Do you want to modify machines or optimize a complete production line? Do you have a current problem with the stability of your machine bases, the setting of fitting holes and threaded inserts or the surface accuracies to be achieved? We will find the right solution for every task.
Get in touch with us - we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Anwendungsbeispiele für Granit im Sondermaschinenbau
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Hier finden Sie Antworten auf häufige Fragen zum Thema Granitkomponenten im Maschinenbau.
Material and precision
Machine beds and superstructure components made of granite are particularly suitable for precision machines, measuring machines, optical and electronic systems, micro and precision machining, semiconductor technology, coordinate measuring technology, laser technology and for all processes where maximum accuracy and temperature stability are required.
Granite is dimensionally stable, vibration-damping, non-magnetic and significantly more temperature-stable. Steel and cast iron are more sensitive to heat. Polymer concrete offers good damping, but does not achieve the precision and long-term stability of natural hard stone.
Granite is ideally suited for precision machines due to its low thermal expansion, high inherent rigidity, very good vibration damping, corrosion resistance and wear resistance.
For granite components, we can produce tolerance classes from very coarse to very fine. Typical flatness is 1-5 µm per meter, parallelism and straightness 1-5 µm/m. Squareness can usually be achieved in 1-10 µm. Holes and inserts typically have position tolerances of ±0.1 mm and can be produced up to ±0.01 mm. More precise values depend on the size of the component and the scope of machining. The finer/more precise the design, the more expensive.
Thermal stability means that a material hardly expands or deforms when the temperature changes, a decisive advantage of granite, as it guarantees maximum precision even under changing conditions.
Granite absorbs vibrations quickly and efficiently. This significantly improves the smooth running, repeat accuracy and measuring and processing quality of the machine with high dynamics.
Possible applications and individual adaptations
Granite machine beds and superstructures can be manufactured very individually. We can drill, mill, grind and saw according to customer drawings in order to manufacture exactly to your requirements.
Yes, with granite machine beds and superstructures, complex pockets, openings, grooves, threaded holes, mounts and functional surfaces can be precisely incorporated, for example.
Guides and metal components are securely anchored in the granite using specially developed, tested joining processes. These include precisely fitted stainless steel threaded inserts, locating holes and specially adapted industrial bonding and grouting processes that can permanently absorb high loads. Depending on the application, additional positioning aids, dowel pins or metallic embeddings are used to ensure a permanently stable, repeatable connection.
Depending on material availability, almost all dimensions up to an edge length of 10 m can be produced. Ask us about your "heavyweight".
Various techniques are used to join granite machine components together: screwing; screwing and fixing; screwing and bonding.
Ideally, granite machine components can be combined with ceramics. Metals can also be integrated, but the different expansion coefficients must be taken into account.
Planning and implementation
Early interface planning for guides, sensors, inserts and contact surfaces as well as consideration of the load and force curves are essential. Thermal framework conditions, assembly concepts and the machine's reference system (levels, axis sequences) should also be coordinated so that the granite base can fully exploit its precision advantages. Many things are possible, just ask us.
In order to provide you with a customized quotation for your hard stone machine components, we require the following information: Dimensions, accuracy requirements, contact points, connection type for multi-part components, drawings, CAD data.
You formulate your idea in the initial contact with PLANOLITH. This is followed by a concept phase with technical/economic advice. Once we have developed a suitable solution, we prepare the quotation. Once the order has been placed, your granite components are manufactured to exact dimensions. This is followed by factory acceptance and the corresponding calibration certificate, then delivery and, if necessary, further after-sales support with the installation and set-up of your special machine.
We are happy to organize the installation and assembly of your granite machine bases and superstructure components as a service.
Depending on the dimensions and design of the product, production takes from 4 weeks to 12 months.
