Precision as the foundation of modern grinding processes

In grinding technology, the quality of the grinding wheel is a decisive factor in process reliability and the achievable workpiece quality. At the same time, grinding wheels are subject to continuous wear during use and must be dressed regularly to maintain their original shape and cutting ability. This is where diamond roller dressing technology comes into play, having proven particularly effective in series production processes and high-precision applications.

Steinmetz Schleiftechnik specialises in precisely this field. The company develops and manufactures dressing units, dressing spindles, diamond roller mounting mandrels and grinding spindles that are specifically tailored to the requirements of modern grinding machines. Several thousand dressing units and spindles are already in use worldwide. The combination of technical expertise, precision manufacturing and close collaboration with users enables solutions that are precisely tailored to the specific machine and grinding process in question.

More than five decades of experience

The company’s roots date back to 1967. It was then that Alois Steinmetz founded Steinmetz Schleiftechnik in Großwelzheim, Bavaria, with the aim of making the profiling of grinding wheels more cost-effective and precise. Even at that time, he recognised the potential of diamond roller dressing technology, which is now standard practice in many areas of industrial grinding.

With great dedication, technical expertise and entrepreneurial courage, the founder steered the company through its early years. In 1990, his son Michael Steinmetz took over the management and, in addition to his accumulated experience, brought fresh impetus and dynamism to the company.

An important milestone was the move to new premises in 1999. On a site of around 2,000 m³, modern office, production and assembly areas were created, laying the foundation for further growth and international activities. In the years that followed, Steinmetz developed into an established supplier of dressing systems and precision spindles.

The company’s continuous development was also reflected in its certification to DIN EN ISO 9001 in 2013. In 2014, the company was renamed Steinmetz Schleiftechnik GmbH & Co. KG. Since 2018, the company has been managed by Thomas Rohé, who had previously worked for the company for many years. Since 2025, the company has been certified not only to the ISO 9001 quality management system but also to the ISO 14001 environmental management system.

Focus on diamond roller dressing technology

Diamond roller dressing technology is at the heart of our product portfolio. This technology enables the particularly cost-effective and reproducible profiling of grinding wheels. Diamond rollers are guided with high precision against the rotating grinding wheel, transferring the desired profile to its surface.

To ensure this process functions reliably, all components involved must be precisely matched to one another. Steinmetz therefore develops complete systems comprising dressing units, dressing spindles, diamond roller mounting mandrels and suitable spindle holders.

The dressing units are characterised by a particularly rigid design. A base body made of stress-relieved GG25 cast iron ensures excellent damping properties and high stability. Depending on the application, different drive systems can be used, such as asynchronous motors, servo motors or hydraulic drives. This allows the systems to be optimally adapted to the requirements of various grinding machines.

A key quality feature is the concentricity and run-out accuracy of the components used. At Steinmetz, this is a maximum of two micrometres. This high precision forms the basis for reproducible dressing results and stable grinding processes.

Dressing spindles and mounting mandrels for maximum accuracy

The dressing spindle plays a central role in the dressing system. It supports the diamond roller and ensures its smooth and precise operation. The dressing spindles developed by Steinmetz are fitted with specially designed precision bearings and feature maintenance-free permanent grease lubrication. This design ensures smooth running and a long service life.

The system is complemented by diamond roller mounting mandrels, which act as the interface between the diamond roller and the dressing machine. Here too, precision is paramount: radial and axial runout deviations of less than two micrometres are essential for cost-effective, high-quality dressing.

In many applications, it is advisable to use a separate mounting mandrel for each diamond roller. This allows the roller to be mounted precisely onto the mandrel at the manufacturer’s premises, which further improves concentricity whilst simplifying replacement during operation.

Precision grinding spindles as a key component in the grinding process

Alongside dressing technology, spindle technology is another key focus of the company. In grinding operations, the quality of the grinding spindle is a decisive factor in determining the achievable surface finish, process stability and cost-effectiveness of the entire machining process.

Steinmetz develops and manufactures precision grinding spindles for a wide range of applications. These include motorised grinding spindles, belt-driven grinding spindles, motor housing spindles and customised special spindles. The systems are precisely tailored to the respective machine and the intended application.

A defining feature of Steinmetz’s spindle technology is its consistent focus on precision and reliability. The spindles feature radial and axial zero-backlash bearings, which ensure exceptionally smooth running. Maintenance-free permanent grease lubrication ensures reliable operation over long periods. The design is complemented by functional labyrinth seals, which reliably protect the bearings from dirt, coolant and grinding dust.

Thanks to these design features, the spindles achieve optimum concentricity whilst offering smooth running and high rigidity. Particularly in demanding grinding processes where the highest dimensional accuracy is required, the spindle thus forms a crucial prerequisite for stable production conditions.

Bespoke solutions for various grinding applications

In addition to standard dressing units, Steinmetz also offers specialised solutions for demanding grinding processes. These include, amongst others, radius dressing units, which can be used to create convex and concave radius profiles on grinding wheels.

These systems are used, for example, in external cylindrical grinding or for complex profile geometries. Servo motors, Harmonic Drive gearboxes and high-precision bearings enable form deviations in the range of a few micrometres.

In general, many systems are developed to customer specifications. Every grinding machine places different demands on installation space, drive and control systems. Steinmetz therefore attaches great importance to tailoring dressing and spindle systems precisely to the respective application.

High-precision repair service

In addition to developing and manufacturing new systems, Steinmetz also offers a repair service for diamond roller mounting mandrels, dressing spindles and grinding spindles. Qualified staff carry out the professional repair and reconditioning of these components.

Our many years of experience with high-precision bearings and spindle systems from a wide range of manufacturers enables us to carry out repairs efficiently and precisely. This allows users to extend the service life of their equipment whilst maintaining the performance of the spindle systems in the long term. Our well-organised service ensures short delivery times of one week on average. Overnight or same-day express delivery is also available on request.

Quality in Development and Manufacturing

The high precision of our products is based not only on design expertise, but also on rigorous quality control during the manufacturing process. All individual components are carefully inspected after production before proceeding to the assembly stage. State-of-the-art electronic measuring systems ensure that even the smallest deviations are detected.

The company makes no compromises when it comes to purchased components either. Bearings, seals and motors are sourced exclusively from renowned manufacturers to ensure consistently high reliability.

Source | Steinmetz