Wear Specialist Relies on High-Tech
The Waldsassen-based company Bergauer Regenerierung GmbH is currently investing in an extension to its facilities and additional processing machinery. A new 630-t bending machine was put into operation in 2008 (Fig. 1). It can be used for precision-bendingof high-strength plates. This permits, for example, the production of screening drums, strainer baskets or very large grab
and load-ing vessels with high precision and narrow tolerances. Also new in the company is a 15 x 3 m CNC-controlled cutting machine, which can be operated optionally with plasma or autogenous
cutting. Construction of the additional production hall is set to start in 2009. For wear protection, the company prefers to process Hardox from Swedish Steel (SSAB). Bergauer was chosen as the fi rst company to try out and use Hardox Extreme, a new steel with up to 700 HBW. At the same time, Bergauer Regenerierung GmbH was the fi rst German company to be registered by SSAB as wear
parts partner. For machine components exposed to high loads, for which Hardox may not be suitable for once, Bergauer has recently started using Toolox. Toolox is one of a group of machine
and tool steels and is also produced by SSAB at its Oxelösund plant in Sweden. Toolox 33 and Toolox 44 are grades of a new generation of tempering, nitriding and tool steels. Toolox 44 is
the hardest “ready-to-use” tool steel in the world. Although hard
and dimensionally stable, it is easy to machine (Fig. 2). The highpurity and good toughness is achieved by the concept with low carbon content. Toolox is available pre-tempered, to save additional expense. Plates in thicknesses from 6 to 165 mm are supplied ready for machining. The steel can be easily machined by means of all conventional separation and cutting methods. For
Toolox 44 (~45 HRC/450 HB) there is currently no alternative on the tool steels market that compares with this material in terms of hardness. To minimize stress, Toolox is tempered at min. 600°C. This means Toolox 44 can be used as a wear-resistant steel at working temperatures of > 250° C to < 600° C. Bergauer constantly stocks more than 500 t in the standard plate
thicknesses to respond fast to customer requirements. Thanks to the mobile service with workshop container, replacement and repair work can be carried out on site.
Info: www.ssab.com
