FOCUS ON SURFACE FINISHING
Petr Müller, a machine operator at HALLER Metall, inspects a component after levelling.
Flatness and edge rounding
“ Our customers are placing increasing value on flatness and rounded edges on cut parts,” reported Markus Heinrich, Technical Operations Manager, HALLER Metall. One reason is that coatings adhere better to burr-free, rounded edges.
The switch from CO₂ to fibre lasers has had a significant impact on production planning, as more parts now require deburring. The flatness of individual parts and the reduction of internal stresses are also crucial in minimizing welding distortion in welded assemblies.
“ We and our end customers want to work more efficiently,” said Heinrich. This applies to individual parts, welded assemblies and even final assembly, which becomes easier when flatness tolerances are tighter.
HALLER Metall first contacted surface finishing specialist, ARKU Maschinenbau GmbH, at a trade show.
“ We were looking for a new levelling machine,” Heinrich recalled.
Although HALLER Metall already operated a roller leveller, the machine’ s performance was not deemed satisfactory. In some cases, sheets and sheet metal parts required several passes through the levelling machine before achieving the required flatness. The maximum dimensions were also limited. Larger parts
With its precision levelling rollers, the FlatMaster ® is designed to eliminate unevenness and most internal stresses in the sheet metal.
The switch from CO 2 to fibre lasers has had a significant impact on production planning, as more parts now require deburring. The flatness of individual parts and the reduction of internal stresses are also crucial in minimizing welding distortion in welded assemblies
also had to be levelled by employees using a hydraulic press, which required significantly more time.
Test runs at ARKU
At the trade show, HALLER Metall and ARKU agreed on the requirements for the new
The linked set-up of the deburring and levelling machines, which now require only two operators.
levelling machine. Heinrich and a colleague then travelled to ARKU’ s headquarters in Baden-Baden, Germany, to conduct test runs. They brought with them the parts that had been causing the most difficulty during levelling.
“ When we saw how the parts were perfectly levelled after just one single pass, we were truly impressed,” outlined Markus Heinrich.
“ The robustness of our levelling machines and their comparatively low maintenance requirements were also important factors. HALLER Metall’ s decision was therefore quickly made in favour of a FlatMaster ® 88,” confirmed ARKU.
“ This precision leveller is particularly well suited for levelling laser-cut, punched and flame-cut parts,” explained Christian Nau, Sales Representative, ARKU.
L-R: Markus Heinrich, Technical Operations Manager, HALLER Metall; David Hujber, Shift Supervisor, HALLER Metall; Julian Feldmeier, Department Manager, HALLER Metall and Christian Nau, Sales, ARKU.
Workpieces must be at least 200mm long to run through the EdgeBreaker ®.
ISMR March 2026 | ismr. net | 41