Machine Building Systems (MBS) will show Item’s new 40x40mm stainless-steel profile, together with a range of stainless-steel fasteners and T-slot nuts, for applications that demand stainless steel construction throughout. The profile consists of two steel sheets, 1.5mm thick, which are folded and then laser-welded together. The profile has four further continuous laser welds along the corner webs of the profile - a patented feature that enhances torsional rigidity and ensures good bending resistance.
Like the company’s aluminium profiles, the steel version has a dished surface, which acts as an anti-vibration washer. It also uses its own version of the Item standard and universal fastener ranges, which provides a large contact area, reducing points of peak stress. With the steel section, you can go one step further and weld the joints in place, once the frame has been assembled, to achieve maximum structural rigidity.
MBS expects significant sales of this new product to food machinery manufacturers who, whilst they do not always welcome T-slots, nevertheless have areas in their machines where adjustment must be provided. In these areas, expensive slotted plates must be used, which are no more hygienic than the far less costly new stainless-steel profile.