The initial material for the ball production is steel wire. Quality and alloy are verified and proven by analysis and test certificates. Incoming material is checked for any damage, e.g. cracks, deviating chemical composition in our receiving inspection department. Only faultless material is processed and machined.
Step 2 - Cutting and pressing:
In the first manufacturing step the wire is cut true to size and and immediately shaped. The process control is responsible for controlling the quality.
Step 3 - Flashing
Flashing machines remove the flash and treat the balls to uniform size. Diameter control and classification follow.
Step 4 - Hardening
The balls are heated in special annealing furnaces, then cooled in oil-filled quenching basins and stress relieved. The structure of the balls is examined by means of a micrograph and the break resistance determined in a pressure test.
Step 5 - Grinding
A multi-stage grinding process machines the hardened balls to the desired standard size or to the size required by the customer.
Step 6 - Washing, drying, preserving:
After the balls are finished, they are washed, dried and preserved.
Step 7 - Classification, final inspection and packaging:
After the surface has been examined microscopically the balls are classified into different quality lots according to type. Special test devices check the balls for roughness and sphericity. Finally, the balls are packed according to the customer"s requirement.
