Stainless steel processing

In industries where hygiene has the utmost priority, companies need a specialist partner for grinding and polishing. From shipbuilding to the food industry, LUKAS-ERZETT is that partner.

Whereas steel and container construction require the grinding of countless weld seams on construction steel, shiny surfaces play an important role in the chemical, medical engineering and food and beverage industries. With the right tools from LUKAS, these demanding grinding and polishing tasks are easy to handle.

From sailing yachts to cruise ships, from tanks and containers to pipelines and fittings, and in both new construction and repair work, grinding is one of the most critical machining processes in shipbuilding and mechanical engineering. This includes grinding out weld seams, the final grinding of visible surfaces, derusting and texturing surfaces, and grinding for new paintwork or a final polish. This all involves lengthy and consequently costly work.

 As a result, shipyards in particular need highly efficient grinding processes, as do machinery builders and companies in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical sectors. They have all recognised the efficiency of LUKAS tools and abrasives.

The SLTT series of lamellar flap discs are ideal for initial rough grinding. LUKAS’s patented lamellar shape and arrangement make these efficient and effective tools a better alternative to grinding discs or conventional mounted flap discs.

The novel combination of the patented sickle flap shape and state-of-the-art abrasive cloths ensures an exceptional removal performance, especially on steel. A particularly large concentration of abrasive grains on the outer perimeter results in an exceptionally high removal rate per minute. Thanks to the multi-layer abrasive coating, these lamellar flap discs additionally remains as sharp as at the first time of use. When the top flaps wear down, the fresh abrasive coating of the flaps underneath is exposed. In this way they achieve a long service life and consistent operational quality.

Tool and mould-making call for precision. Surfaces are polished to a mirror finish, so that the perfect result can be transferred to the end product with any casting. The tool steels used here are produced to be hard and strong enough for their purpose. As a result, special grinding tools are required to process workpieces to the limits of their tolerances.

LUKAS mounted points for tool and mould-making are extremely dimensionally stable and can cut even the hardest materials. Ceramic grain is highly friable due to its microcrystal structure, making it self-sharpening. Moreover, the use of special grain qualities ensures a long service life. LUKAS’s broad and comprehensive product range lets you process even the tiniest corners.

With its new toothing, the LUKAS Z42 Inox/Steel burr can process Inox and steel quickly and reliably. The robust tooth geometry with faceting prevents chipping and guarantees high removal. This means you save time and fitting costs. The improved chip breaker allows you to work even more ergonomically while achieving the best surface yet.

In industrial sectors that prioritise hygiene, everything has to sparkle and shine. Gleaming or silk-matt stirring tanks and surfaces made from smooth stainless steel convey a sense of perfect sterility. Smooth surfaces are easy to maintain and underscore the value of the machines and plants with their high-quality appearance. Companies achieve these flawless, mirror-finish surfaces thorough polishing of machines, plants and containers.

LUKAS tools for stainless steel processes are always labelled blue in the colour guidance system in the online store and general catalogue. But which tool is best used when?

Grinding pastes are ideal for polishing pre-ground surfaces. They can be used to quickly machine hard metals such as steel and cast iron, as well as non-ferrous metals.

The P6PT polishing disc is suitable for polishing larger flat surfaces, for example. This extremely versatile polishing disc performs a wide variety of tasks (depending on the grit size), from derusting and paint stripping through to fine grinding and mirror finish polishing. The tool is simply mounted on a controlled straight grinder. The operator can use flap discs with an increasingly finer grit size in succession. This soon creates respectable results.

The P6PW polishing roller is the right tool for companies looking to give their containers or machinery a smooth, but also brushed or matt grain surface.

The P3 polishing point is ideal for polishing complex-shaped bodies to achieve a mirror finish. This point grinds tubes and smaller vessels as well as tools, dies, bearings or spindles. LUKAS’ many years of experience have resulted in a range of five head shapes and head diameters between 6 and 30 mm. These variants cover practically every application scenario.

Carefully polishing sealing surfaces keeps seals effective for longer. In sectors such as the automotive industry, aerospace, and pump and turbine engineering, there are plenty of sealing surfaces and fits that must be produced with high precision to achieve the right result. In the food and pharmaceutical industries, polished surfaces ensure hygienic working conditions. With our polishing tools, you can achieve the required surface characteristics. We have a complete range of polishing tools for achieving every desired surface quality, from fine grinding through to a mirror finish.

Such tools are available as polishing points, polishing sticks and polishing discs.

In response to the growing importance of fine machining, LUKAS has developed a wide range of polishing tools, featuring a variety of raw materials, grit combinations and hardness levels. LUKAS polishing tools are categorised into groups P1 to P7, according to the respective application. These tools include polishing wheels, points and sticks to cover a wide variety of applications. Felt polishing tools from the P3 group are used in conjunction with a SIC or diamond polishing paste, for example, to give the best results through to a mirror finish.

NK-BA soft mounted points are the specialists for machining stainless steels. These points achieve good removal rates, even on stainless steels that tend to “smear”. The NK-BA soft also grinds relatively coolly. The cutting material with regular aluminium oxide in a resin bond does not contain any iron, sulphur or halogens. This makes undesirable chemical variations in the contact zone generally impossible.

Our mounted points for non-rusting steel satisfy the special requirements associated with such high-quality materials. making them suitable for machining comparatively soft materials and materials with low thermal conductivity. The grinding wheels do not contain any iron, sulphur or halogens. This excludes any risk of corrosion occurring in the first place. Non-corroding vessels and components acquire an ideal surface quality with the TF abrasive for stainless steels. This abrasive fleece and cloth are reinforced in the fabric. When used as a combined mounted flap wheel, it achieves an especially high removal rate due to the evenly exerted load. The TF abrasive is also available as flap rolls.

Some grinding results can leave you speechless. In the case of products used in areas where they come into direct contact with the public, effect grinding has a special impact – for example as a peacock feather or cloud design. The polished finish becomes an optical refinement. LUKAS’s marbling points can be used to marble stainless steels, aluminium and non-ferrous metals with peacock eye or cloud patterns, for example. The marbling points do not get clogged with abrasive dust and their abrasive capability is retained throughout the entire process.

On page 98 of the current LUKAS general catalogue you will find a concise table for easily choosing the right polishing tool for your needs. The portfolio includes a wide range of tools in various shapes and sizes. Specially developed for finely machining and polishing surfaces, we offer a broad spectrum of products to help you achieve the desired result every time.

See for yourself what these tools from the technological leader in milling, grinding, polishing and cutting system solutions are capable of. LUKAS-ERZETT GmbH & Co. KG, based near Cologne, specialises in the production and sale of grinding, milling, polishing and cutting tools, as well as power tools. It also offers consulting services and an extensive range of accessories.