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Mineral Casting: Vibration-Free Precision with Environmental Responsibility

Unlock the Potential of High-Precision Applications with Mineral Casting

Mineral casting features clear technological, economic and ecological advantages over steel, gray cast iron or cast iron. Its excellent vibration damping, chemical resistance and thermal stability not only impress users in machine tool manufacturing, but also in many other industries such as medical technology, solar technology, electronics and packaging. In particular, the combination of linear technology and mineral casting creates essential customer benefits.

SCHNEEBERGER is a leading global manufacturer of mineral castings and not only offers innovative and high-precision mineral casting solutions, but also completely pre-assembled modules and assembly groups, equipped with the following components according to customer requirements

  • linear guideways
  • linear motors
  • electronics and sensors
  • drive units

Since we offer everything as a one-stop solution, we guarantee optimal matching of the various components. SCHNEEBERGER mineral castings are manufactured by specialized employees in our production facilities in Czech Rep. and China. The entire process, from the design phase to the actual casting process and finishing, is subject to strict quality specifications. This guarantees that complex machine designs and assemblies with integrated guides are manufactured in the specified dimensions and to the highest quality.

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Mineral casting technology which, when employed in machine bases and foundations, delivers exceptional vibration damping, chemical resistance — and environmental sustainability. First introduced for use in the bases and platforms of metal grinding machines, today mineral-cast foundations are being applied — and making new and innovative applications possible — in electronics, medical devices, solar, and packaging equipment.

Protecting the environment

Mineral casting is a cold-casting process — meaning it does not require any additional heat for its manufacture. What’s needed is generated during the process itself — by an exothermic reaction between the chemical components. The bottom line for the environment is this: Mineral cast technology saves energy and promotes sustainability. Mineral cast machine foundations require significantly less energy in their manufacture than what is required to produce gray cast iron or steel bases — significantly reducing CO2 emissions. And these savings are an impressive 1.6 tons of CO2-emissions per ton of mineral casting produced compared with steel and cast iron production. As an additional environmental benefit, our mineral casting products are fully recyclable – SCHNEEBERGER takes back its mineral casting components for certified recycling. 

SCHNEEBERGER mineral casting

Information: at moment not available for the Asian market

Since its introduction to the market (30 years ago) as a modern material, mineral casting is has presented an important alternative to conventional grey cast iron or steel construction and today, it is the superior technology for a vast number of applications.

From design and casting to the high-precision finishing, the entire process is subject to stringent quality assurance measures

Presence: SCHNEEBERGER Mineralgusstechnik operates in the EU (Cheb in the Czech Republic) and in China.

In both the European and Asian markets, we operate our own local production facilities and have sales offices in all major industrial countries.

New: Our techcon® - a specially developed cement mixture for "selected applications" and developed as a cost-effective alternative to mineral casting.

More information:
Link to press release

New: Mineral castings direct to your assembly line

More value-added from SCHNEEBERGER Mineralgusstechnik! We also perform complex assembly work on the mineral castings we produce. Not only will we assemble the parts, our service includes the complete procurement process as well as the entire logistic and quality management functions. This enables SCHNEEBERGER Mineralgusstechnik to deliver greater added value to our customers.

Customer benefits: Significantly shorter lead times and clear cost benefits since we assume the responsibility for the entire sub-assembly.

Do not hesitate to contact us at any time for a non-binding consultation.

Link to contact form

Engineering

  • Design concept

  • Structure of the basic geometry

  • Integration of mechanical components

  • Operational surfaces
  • 
FEM analysis
  • 
Transport and set-up

Design concept

Wall thickness

The castings and wall thickness of mineral casting components must in general be at least five times greater than the maximum pebble diameters. With a typical maximum pebble diameter of 16 mm, the castings and wall thickness must therefore be at least 80 mm. Due to the low residual stresses varying wall thicknesses and sudden changes from thin to thick wall thicknesses can be achieved without a problem in a mineral casting component. Good rigidity values are attainable with the appropriate selection of cross sections and by taking into account the greatly varying permissible tensile and compressive stresses.

It is also possible to work with thinner wall thicknesses in the non-load-bearing parts of the construction. Here mineral casting mixtures are used that have a smaller maximum pebble diameter. The first casting of a multi-level casting procedure, where first the finer mixture is poured followed by the coarser composition, is called pre-casting.

Casting

Mould release slopes are used to release the casting blank, similar to the method used for gray cast iron. The recommendation to use an approx. 5° slope for cast parts made from gray cast iron is often also used for mineral casting. However, in practice smaller casting angles are quite sufficient for mineral casting.

Ventilation

Whilst the mineral casting mixture is produced air enters the compound simply through the mixing process itself. Besides this, air is also entrapped inside the mould and the compound during the casting procedure. To ensure that the finished component will not exhibit any shrinkage cavities later on, after pouring in the compound the mould is vibrated until practically no more trapped air bubbles up.

For this purpose there must be a suitable venting of the mould. This can be done, if mould segments and casting parts are arranged in such a way that they do not obstruct either the incoming mineral casting or the outflowing air. Bubbles can form particularly on horizontal surfaces, which the mineral casting rises against from below. Such surfaces are to be avoided if possible or they are to have a  relatively large angle, in order to make it possible for air to escape.

Loading capacity

During the construction of mineral casting components it is essential to bear the material’s special characteristics in mind. Cast components can, for example, withstand substantially higher compressive and tensile forces.

When anchoring cast parts it is to be ensured that they are set at a sufficient distance from the component’s edges, so that they do not break off. For the minimum distance to the edges use the corresponding table of the cast part.

If screw connections are to be used within the mineral casting component, it is to be ensured that the cast material can withstand the loads created by the forces acting on the thread. If there is the risk of it shearing off, it must be treated with suitable metal threaded bushes, which are cast in the necessary places.

The notch effect is clearly reduced and the redirection of the force is improved by rounding and/or chamfering the connectors between the component units.

Likewise suitable measures must be taken for the necessary transport to the customer. So for very large components lifting points, which make it possible to load them safely with cranes and similar lifting equipment, must be designed into the structure. To prevent any transport damages, rails can also be inserted on the underside for transport by fork-lift trucks.

Structure of the basic geometry

The mould is made from wood, steel, aluminum, PVC, silicone, polyamide or a combination of these materials. The main criteria for the selection of the suitable form material are:

  •  the estimated number of castings to be produced by a mould,
  • the required accuracy and surface quality of the mineral casting components,
  • size, weight,
  • planned variants in the casting,
  • costs and time

The design of the mould, the calculation of the mould and the construction of the mould all run parallel to the construction of the part. The design criteria of the mould must be considered in order to ensure the geometrical accuracy and high static and dynamic rigidity:

  • The design of the main functional surfaces the mold are critical , in order to ensure the accuracy.
  • Moulds are mostly made from plates. Basic geometry is design from simple elements.

Integration of mechanical components

Threaded inserts, steel plates, transportation anchors, cables and trunking, s and hollow cells can be cast directly in the mineral casting component as it is a cold casting process.

In order to ensure that it is in optimal working order later on, all mechanical components must be fastened securely as their position can no longer be corrected later on and substantial lift forces develop during the casting procedure, which could change the position if the fastening is not secure enough. It must be ensured when the component is being sesigned and more importantly later with the construction of the mould, that this insert does not obstruct the flow of material or the venting of the mold.

If the threaded holes are too close to the edge or if the mineral casting component has hole pattern with mating holes, special cast parts are moulded in. These special cast parts (mouldings, plates) are anchored to the mineral casting component with hexagonal screws.

Operational surfaces

As described in the chapter on accuracy, a maximum accuracy of approximately +/- 0.1 mm/m can be attained with good moulds. Many components however, have a mating surface for other parts, which clearly require a greater accuracy, for example for the attachment of linear guide systems, sliding or mounting surfaces. It is therefore imperative to integrate these functional surfaces in order to attain the specified tolerances. Today SCHNEEBERGER essentially uses four procedures as below, in order to create the necessary surfaces:

  • Machining of mineral casting - with this procedure the mineral casting is poured with an excess and afterwards machined to the exact size by milling or grinding.
  • Machining of cast parts - with this procedure, metal parts, such as steel or cast iron plates, are cast into the mineral casting and machined after the casting has hardened.
  • Replication - with this procedure the mineral casting is poured approximate 2 mm undersize. After removing the mould there is a second casting stage where very fine material is cast with a precise setting jig.
  • Subsequent casting in of metal parts - With this procedure high-precision cast parts are precisely cast in after removal of the mould using positioning gauges.

FEM analysis

By using the FEM (finite element method) one can carry out calculations of different characteristics of component geometry and machine designs. A typical use is the calculation of deformations on machine bases or components and the derivative of optimized geometry from these results. In addition, temperature dynamics and vibration response can be determined very accurately nowadays.

Some practical examples, such as the decrease in the deflection of components of a textile machine (Cetex) or the reduction of the regenerative effect on turning lathes (Boehringer Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH) thanks to the better absorption behavior of mineral casting in direct comparison to welded or cast designs, or the optimization of the thermal behavior (SCHNEEBERGER AG).

Transport and set-up

Transport

The mineral casting components must be securely fixed during transport. A crane, fork-lift truck and truck are used for transport. In addition suitable anchors and rails are to be provided.

Set-up

In principle similar rules for bases made from steel or gray cast iron also apply to the set-up of mineral casting racks. Special foundations are very important particularly with large machines because, in their typical suitable construction as an engine foundation with 70-90% of the total mass of a machine, they guarantee a high overall torsional stiffness with the high inertial mass and they can attain the necessary accuracy thanks to the smooth running of the machine.

A correspondingly substantial dimensioning of the machine foundation is of great importance particularly with extremely heavy component parts and/or a correspondingly large workforce or with sudden impact loads, because otherwise it results inevitably in the partial sinking of the machine and so the geometrical accuracies typical of today are no longer attained over the entire working space. Machines with a three-point set-up are an exception to this rule, because their accuracy does not depend on the foundation.

Materials tailored to specific projects

Our experts at the SCHNEEBERGER mineral casting facility develop various compositions which are tailored to specific projects/individual customer applications. In doing so, our customers receive the best possible combination of technical benefits and affordable prices.

Downloads

Mineral casting movie

SCHNEEBERGER offers cost-optimised solutions in the form of its Integrated measuring system for distance measurement, which can be used for a wide range of applications.

SCHNEEBERGER overview mineral casting

Article/Example of application

Press releases

  • Extended range of services and materials Extended range of services and materials The Schneeberger competence center for mineral casting in Cheb in the Czech Republic has been developing and manufacturing sub-assemblies from its own mineral casting materials for many years. Now the company not only offers individual components but is also able to supply complete system sub-assemblies direct to the assembly line.
  • Linear technology and mineral casting Linear technology and mineral casting Linear technology and mineral casting – a promising duo. Schneeberger is well-known for its unique range of highly precise and reliable linear technology products.
  • SCHNEEBERGER Blue Competence SCHNEEBERGER Blue Competence Sustainability is a top priority at SCHNEEBERGER - in manufacturing as well as in the end products. In both technical and economic aspects, SCHNEEBERGER consistently manages to impress its customers.
  • Extended range of services and materials Extended range of services and materials The Schneeberger competence center for mineral casting in Cheb in the Czech Republic has been developing and manufacturing sub-assemblies from its own mineral casting materials for many years. Now the company not only offers individual components but is also able to supply complete system sub-assemblies direct to the assembly line.

Mineral casting and its areas of application

SCHNEEBERGER Mineralgusstechnik covers a very wide range of sectors and products, as you can see from these examples.

Presence: We have our own local production facilities in both the European and Asian markets, and our own sales offices in all major industrial countries. 

Sectors: The number of areas where mineral casting offers unbeatable benefits for our customers is growing fast. Here are some of the main sectors that we are active in:

Products: Our applications cover a full range of sizes. Here are a few examples from different sectors.

A single cast.

Mineral casting from SCHNEEBERGER offers unbeatable advantages, which come to the fore in the optical industry.

Anyone who works with optical components and surfaces, such as industrial lenses or glass for spectacles, cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to surface quality, precision and productivity. After all, their customers’ sight depends on it, as does the ability of machine manufacturers to compete in the optical industry.
Powerful machines can manufacture well over 100 spectacle lenses per hour, with consistently reproducible levels of quality. In order to realise the high engineering dynamics and required product geometry while maintaining the utmost precision, machine constructors require a machine bed that has exemplary vibration dampening and thermal stability, such as can only be achieved by mineral casting.
This means we are an indispensible partner for manufacturers of production equipment, not only for high quality industrial optics but also for fine spectacle lenses.
SCHNEEBERGER produces its mineral casting in a cold casting process using minerals and epoxy resin. Thanks to the especially perfected production methods, we can achieve exceptionally flat and parallel reference surfaces, whether for guideways or other precision components such as measuring scales or linear motors.
As SCHNEEBERGER manufactures both mineral cast constructions and linear bearings, we are able to adjust the bearing support surfaces so that they are an optimum match for each bearing type and for the specific application. This ensures the most linear, parallel and flat operation possible for linear movements, resulting in optimum technical and economic solutions.

Sample application

History

 

SCHNEEBERGER mineral casting

Information: at moment not available for the Asian market

Since its introduction to the market (30 years ago) as a modern material, mineral casting is has presented an important alternative to conventional grey cast iron or steel construction and today, it is the superior technology for a vast number of applications.

From design and casting to the high-precision finishing, the entire process is subject to stringent quality assurance measures

Presence: SCHNEEBERGER Mineralgusstechnik operates in the EU (Cheb in the Czech Republic) and in China.

In both the European and Asian markets, we operate our own local production facilities and have sales offices in all major industrial countries.

New: Our techcon® - a specially developed cement mixture for "selected applications" and developed as a cost-effective alternative to mineral casting.

More information:
Link to press release

SCHNEEBERGER mineral casting and its characteristics

Advantages
Very good damping characteristic
Low heat conductivity
Chemically inert
Cold casting process
Low shrinkage
Great architectural freedom
Integration of the most diverse mechanical components
No problems with disposal

Mineral casting and the geometry of the products

A significant advantage of mineral casting is that the most geometrically complicated structures/ bases can be manufactured without the need for further processes. This necessitates an accurate tool (mould), which can usually be amortized over a short time period. Threaded inserts, mounting plates, spindle attachments etc. are pre-cast as moulded-in parts and provided for in the design phase of the mould, thus removing the need for any complex, cost-intensive finishing or machining. This of course, means shorter turn-around times, which plays an increasing role in modern times.

Bonding agent

The bonding agent, also called a matrix, consists of resin and after the recipe is agreed – the application- specific fillers are added. Epoxy resin is used, as opposed to Methacrylate resin, and polyester resins exhibit less contraction (volume shrinking) and an improved processing time. When poured the bonding agent also acts as a lubricant between the elements of the filler, thus improving the flow characteristics. There can be no chemical reaction between the filler and the bonding agent. Cast parts containing epoxy resins as bonding agents are not suitable for operating temperatures of over 80°C.

Advantages of epoxy resins

  • Low viscosity gives good flow characteristics
  • Guarantee that the filler used is well lubricated
  • Long gel time
  • Slow hardening by precipitation, combined with low exotherms
  • Good mechanical characteristics (tension, compression, bending, elastic modulus, thermal expansion)
  • Good chemical characteristics, i.e. resistant to aggressive liquids
  • Good long-term behavior
  • Epoxy resins are certified for the food industry

     

Quartz rock as a filler

Fillers, also known as aggregates, form the basis of the mineral casting. Various recipes or mixes are available from SCHNEEBERGER mineral casting, this ensures and determines the optimum properties of each mineral casting product meet the demands of the customer’s specific application.
A natural quartz rock is used in different grain sizes. Since the mineral casting characteristics are determined predominantly by the characteristics of these fillers there are specific requirements for their density, tensile and compressive strength, elastic modulus, thermal expansion coefficients and heat conductivity.

Non-mineral additives can also be added in part to the fillers.

Quartz pebbles that have high degree of purity and very good mechanical characteristics are used.

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