SYIL UK Blog

SYIL Editor

Mineral Casting Machine Bed

Our cooperation with Schneeberger ensures you get a high-quality mineral casting machine base for your tools.

SYIL Editor

SYIL Editor

Our cooperation with Schneeberger ensures you get a high-quality mineral casting machine base for your tools.

 

The global CNC milling machine market was worth $13.9 billion in 2021. Demand for these high-precision machines is growing as industrial and manufacturing activity rebounds.

With more and more CNC shops entering the market, what are you doing to stay competitive? Is it time to upgrade your equipment? How will you choose the best machine for your shop?

 

Mineral castings for machine tools give you a competitive advantage. A mineral casting machine base helps you work more accurately. It's an economical option that's also high-quality.

 

Learn more about mineral casting and why it's a premier choice for CNC machine tools.

 

What Is Mineral Casting?

Mineral casting is also known as epoxy granite, granite composite, and polymer-bonded mineral casting. It's an alternative to parts made from grey cast iron or steel.

Mineral casting is made from a combination of materials like cement, granite, and quartz sand. It has reinforcing fibers and nanoparticles. Epoxy resin binds all the components together.

 

Molds for mineral casting can be made from materials like wood, fiberglass, steel, or aluminum. Unlike many other materials, mineral casting is produced at room temperature.

 

schneeberger-mineral-casting-2

 

Benefits of Mineral Castings for Machine Tools

Mineral casting for machine tools has several advantages over iron and steel. It improves the performance of industrial tools. It's an economical choice that's better for the environment.

Less Vibration

  • CNC machine tools need to run quickly and with extreme precision. High speeds and heavy-duty applications make the machine frame vibrate. These vibrations affect the part surface.
  • Vibration also creates wear and tear on the machine.
  • An epoxy granite CNC frame can reduce vibrations. It dampens them around 6 times faster than a cast-iron frame and 10 times faster than a steel frame. The machines make less noise.
  • A mineral casting machine bed for tools like a milling machine or grinder makes the tool more accurate. Parts have a higher surface quality. The tool has less wear and a longer service life.

High-Quality Machine Structures

  • The design and production process for an epoxy granite CNC machine allows for a very high-quality product. The mineral casting process provides great flexibility regarding the shape of machine components. Complex machine structures meet the specified dimensions.
  • The epoxy granite production process doesn't require high temperatures. Connecting parts, pipes, and cables can be cast directly into the structures. Sensor systems and measuring technology can also be included.
  • The production process is more streamlined. Intricate machine sub-assemblies with integrated guideways function reliably in the finished product.

Better Thermal Stability

  • Mineral casting reacts slowly to changes in temperature. Its thermal conductivity is lower than metallic materials. Short-term temperature changes have a smaller impact on the dimensional accuracy of the tool.
  • A mineral casting machine bed holds its shape better than other materials. This reduces the possibility of geometrical errors when machining.

Corrosion Resistance

  • A mineral casting machine base resists aggressive liquids like cutting oils and coolants. The tools function well even when these chemicals are present in the production environment.

More Economical

  • Mineral casting for CNC is more economical than other options.
  • Mineral cast components have very little contraction during hardening. They can be cast to their final dimensions. They don't need finishing processes that add to the production cost.
  • Integrating components like guideways and threaded inserts during casting further reduces the need for additional processing.

Less Environmental Impact

  • Using epoxy granite as a structural material for precision machines has a smaller environmental impact. Mineral casting is almost 100% reusable. It's ecologically sustainable.
  • The production process doesn't require high temperatures. This saves energy.

schneeberger-mineral-casting-3

 

Mineral Casting CNC Machines from SYIL and Schneeberger

SYIL is proud to partner with Schneeberger GmbH on the mineral casting frames for our precision tools. Schneeberger is known for exceptional mineral casting manufacturing. They're a world leader in linear motion technology.

 

SYIL began working with Schneeberger in 2020. All our machines are now based on a world-class Schneeberger mineral casting machine bed.

 

schneeberger-mineralgusstechnik

 

Epoxy Granite Machine Base vs Cast Iron

SYIL machine tools previously used a cast iron frame. The switch to mineral casting benefits our clients in several ways.

 

First, an epoxy granite CNC mill has high damping properties and low vibration. Cast iron will vibrate much more. You get more accurate results and quieter operation with epoxy granite.

 

Second, mineral casting has low heat conductivity. It has a high heat capacity. It's less sensitive to short-term temperature fluctuations.

Cast iron is the opposite. It has higher heat conductivity and lower heat capacity. Temperature fluctuations may reduce precision and make the machine noisier.

 

Third, epoxy granite offers a wider range of design possibilities. Cast iron requires additional machining to get embedded parts and other features.

 

Finally, mineral casting is better for the environment. It needs fewer resources to produce than cast iron. It's eligible for environmentally-friendly disposal and recycling.

 

 

 

Mineral Casting (Epoxy Granite)

Cast Iron

Damping

High

Low

Heat Performance

Low heat conductivity

and high spec. heat

capacity

High heat conductivity and

low spec. heat capacity

Embedded Parts

Unlimited design and

One-piece mold and

seamless connection

Machining necessary

Corrosion Resistance

Extra high

Low

Environmental

Friendliness

Low energy consumption

High energy consumption

X5

The X5 is a mini epoxy granite milling machine that's ideal for use in a school or CNC shop. It has a small footprint and complete CNC capabilities. The price is affordable.

X7

The X7 is a small but powerful precision machine. It can cut the toughest materials. Standard features include a fast tool changer and a spindle that works rapidly.

X9

The X9 is scheduled to launch in September 2022. It can handle a wide range of industrial applications. Features include high-precision linear motion technology and a cutting feed speed of 10,000mm/min.

X11

The X11 is a premium, high-precision industrial CNC machine. The top-quality spindle has an automatic cooling system. The X11 also features fixed-position servo motors.

 

Get the Benefits of Epoxy Granite for CNC

Mineral castings for machine tools bring your CNC shop many advantages. You have less tool vibration and temperature sensitivity. The machine frame resists corrosion.

Mineral casting CNC industrial tools are better for the environment and more cost-effective.

 

You can trust SYIL for your CNC machine tools. We prioritize precision engineering and quality materials. Our cooperation with Schneeberger ensures you get a high-quality mineral casting machine base for your tools.

 


Learn more about our product line and get a free quote today.

 

Tags: SYIL X7, mineral casting, schneeberger

Mill vs Lathe: What's the Difference?

Mill vs Lathe: What's the Difference?

CNC milling and lathe machines are two of the most popular tools used in modern...

Read More
4 and 5 Axis CNC Machining: What's the Difference?

4 and 5 Axis CNC Machining: What's the Difference?

In the US alone, the CNC machining industry is worth a lot. The global market is expected...

Read More
6 Tips for Using a CNC Machine

6 Tips for Using a CNC Machine

Long gone are the days when a milling machine was manually operated. If you’re looking...

Read More
Why Optical Probing is the Best Way to Probe Your CNC Machine

Why Optical Probing is the Best Way to Probe Your CNC Machine

The global market for CNC machines was worth almost $76 billion in 2021. Analysts expect...

Read More
A Complete Guide to CNC Machine Filtermists

A Complete Guide to CNC Machine Filtermists

The CNC Machine market will grow to highs of $132.93 billion by 2030. These machines are...

Read More
Everything You Need To Know About SINUMERIK 828 CNC Controller

Everything You Need To Know About SINUMERIK 828 CNC Controller

When it comes to CNC machine controllers, the SINUMERIK 828 is in a class of its own....

Read More
Why THK Linear Motion Guides Are the Best Choice for Your CNC Machine

Why THK Linear Motion Guides Are the Best Choice for Your CNC Machine

Learn why at SYIL we trust THK linear motion systems.

 

Read More
Making Custom RC Car Parts With a SYIL Mini CNC Machine

Making Custom RC Car Parts With a SYIL Mini CNC Machine

Radio-controlled cars are the new craze. The car racing hobby appeals to all generations,...

Read More
Mineral Casting Machine Bed

Mineral Casting Machine Bed

Our cooperation with Schneeberger ensures you get a high-quality mineral casting machine...

Read More
HAAS Super Mini Mill vs SYIL X7 Siemens

HAAS Super Mini Mill vs SYIL X7 Siemens

SYIL X7 Siemens is an excellent affordable small CNC machine, and the #1 alternative to...

Read More

Get notified of new SYIL insights

Be the first to know about new SYIL insights like machine updates, new options, customer stories, and more.