Despite their versatility, these machines still suffer somewhat from an identity crisis While manufacturers throw around a variety of terms – work centers, workstations, machine centers and others – Stone Business again offers to coin a phrase and label them manual production centers (MPCs). 
  Stone Business took its first look at MPCs in August 2004. Since then, a few manufacturers are out of the game, but others are moving in to offer machines that provide a vital intermediate offering between hand-held tools and high-tech CNC centers.
  All of the machines in this year’s survey perform multiple functions; all of them offer some kind of edging, and most also handle drilling and milling. Some offer polishing functions, and a few – usually with some adaptation – run a sawing head. All of the machines handle the standard 2cm/3cm-slab thickness, making them ideal for countertop and general-product work.
  The machines divide into two types, based on how the machine spindle moves around the production area for working stone. Since the genesis for this type of machinery is the standard radial-arm polisher, many of the MPCs use a radial (articulated) arm for a fabricator to move when performing stone work. Others mount the spindle on a rail system for linear movement, although there’s always the ability to deal with curves and arcs.
  MPCs, though, are more than a tool on a big handle. Most have some kind of programmable controls for tool speed and placement. A fair share of them also support template tracing to control and standardize multiple copies for large commercial and residential jobs.
  Models can change –and prices of European-made machines can vary with the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and the Euro. For the latest information, contact manufacturers or the U.S. agents/distributors.
  The information provided is from surveys distributed to manufacturers in November 2006. Measurements given in Imperial/English format only were supplied in that manner by manufacturers; Imperial/metric numbers represent metric information offered by manufacturers and converted by Stone Business staff.
 
 
  PIETRO BACCHIERI & C.
  Carrara, Italy
 
  F.S.L. Machine
 
  Production area (workable length):   86.6”/220cm
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Radial arm
  Maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: 4.7”/12cm
  Note: Optional turntable available for table edging.
  Contact: Pietro Bacchieri & C., +39-0585-706-55; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  BURKHARDT GmbH
  Bayreuth, Germany
  U.S. agent/representative: High Tech Stone Inc., Elberton, Ga.
 
  Hensel KTM 601
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  118” X 39”
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 7.9”; table height adjustable by 7.9”.
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 300-10,000rpm / 7.4 kW
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing, sawing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Rail
  Maximum thickness of stone that can be worked:  6cm
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 189” X 126” (includes 47.2” space for operator) X 94.5”
  Contact: High Tech Stone Inc., 800-342-5540; www.hightechstone.com
  
  
  COCH
  Buenos Aires, Argentina
  U.S. agent/representative: Surtec Inc., Miami
 
  R30
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  10’ X 3’
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head:  10”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): Variable 200-10,000rpm / 8 HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing, cutting with finger bit.
  Material holddown method: Vacuum
  Production head travel: Rail
  Template support: No
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 172” X 73” X 78”
  Contact: Surtec Inc., 305-468-9577. www.surtecusa.com,  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  GALESKI WORLDWIDE
  Westerburg, Germany
  U.S. agent/representative: High Tech Stone Inc., Elberton, Ga.
 
  Galaxy 4000 Multistar
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  118.1” X 43.3”
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 10.2”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 500-11,000rpm
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing, sawing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp and vacuum
  Production head travel: Rail
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked:  .4”-2.4”
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 137.8” X 78.7” X 70.8”
  Contact: High Tech Stone Inc., 800-342-5540; www.hightechstone.com
  
  GHINES S.r.L.
  Rimini, Italy
  U.S. agent/representative: Salem Stone, Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
  SYSTAR
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  8’2” X 3’4”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP):  1,500-7,000rpm / 5.5 HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, grooving, milling, polishing, recessed drain processing, sawing.
  Material holddown method: Vacuum (eight cups)
  Production head travel: Rail (hardened, anti-corrosion-treated balls block)
  Maximum stone thickness: 7cm height
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 10’ X 4’6” X 7’7”
  Note: Tension three-phase 400V-50/60 Hz or 230V-50/60 Hz power; air-heating system to prevent mist or ice on the Venturi device
  Contact:  Salem Stone, 800-234-1982; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  GLOBAL GRANITE & MARBLE
  St. Louis
 
  Global Vanity Master™
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  78” X 48”
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 4”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 3,440rpm / 2 HP
  Machine functions:  Edging, milling, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Radial arm
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked:  1cm-4cm
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 5’ X 5’ X 6’
  Contact: Global Granite & Marble, 866-480-4931; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.globalgranite.com
  
  ISIMAR s.r.l.
  Vezzano Ligure, Italy
  U.S. agent/representative: International Machine Corp., Holbrook, N.Y.
 
  Bremor BRM 2000
 
  Production area (workable material length and width): 48 1/2” X 31 1/2” 
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 15 3/4” motorized
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 300-3000rpm / 7.5 HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Vacuum
  Production head travel: Radial arm, articulated with 360° rotation.
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked:  3 15/16”
  Template support: Yes
  Note: Isimar also produces the BRM 2300, a similar radial-arm machine with a different configuration for handling thicker materials, such as monuments.
  Contact: International Machine Corp., 631-244-8277; www.internationalmachinecorp.com
  
  MARTIN KOLB MASCHINENBAU GmbH & CO.
  Dietenheim, Germany
  U.S. agent/representative: KB Diamond, North Hollywood, Calif.
 
  Genius topline
  Genius-light blueline
 
  Price: $51,000 (topline), $29,500 (blueline) (F.O.B. Los Angeles, including installation and training)
  Production area (workable material length and width): 10’ X 3.5’ (topline); 6.5’ X 3’ (blueline).
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 9” (both)
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): variable to 12,000rpm (both);  8 HP (topline), 3 HP (blueline).
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing (both); sawing (topline).
  Material holddown method: Vacuum (topline); screw clamp (blueline).
  Production head travel: Rail
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 14’ X 4.6’ X 8’ (topline); 11.5’ X 4.5’ X 6.5’ (blueline).
  Contact: KB Diamond, 800-286-8420; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  PARK INDUSTRIES®
  St. Cloud, Minn.
 
  WIZARD DELUXE
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  102” X 26” (face polishing); 138” X 26” (edge shaping).
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 6”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 400-3500rpm / 5HP (main spindle) (both); 1750-9950rpm / 3 HP (auxiliary spindle).
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Radial arm with 360° rotation
  Maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: 6cm
  Template support: Yes
  Machine workspace requirements: 34 ft(2) inner working radius, 79 ft(2) outer working radius, 260 ft(2) area for 360° rotation of radial arm.
  Note: Next Day or No Pay parts guarantee, two-year warranty, 24/7 troubleshooting customer support.
  Contact: Park Industries, 800-328-2309; www.parkindustries.com, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  
  RADUFIL METALOMECÂNICA LDA.
  Montlevar, Portugal
 
  RF30 Master
 
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): Variable to 5000rpm
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, sawing.
  Material holddown method: Vacuum
  Production head travel: Radial arm (all but saw head); rail (saw head).
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 2500mm X 2300mm X 2400mm
  Contact:  Radufil Metalomecânica Lda., +351-21-927-17-91; 
  
  RAVELLI S.r.L.
  Entratico, Italy
 
  Production area (workable material length and width): Up to 220.4”/5600mm X 44.2”/1125mm 
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 15.7”/400mm
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 4500rpm / 12HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing, sawing.
  Material holddown method: Vacuum
  Production head travel: Radial arm
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: All standard 2cm/10cm
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 220.4”/5600mm X 80.7”/2050mm
  Contact: Ravelli USA, 866-728-8351. www.ravelli.it
  
  
  SAWING SYSTEMS INC.
  Knoxville, Tenn.
 
  5RP
 
  Price: $28,900
  Production area (workable material length and width):  4’ X 4’ to 2’ X 10’
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 4” (spindle); 10” (raise/lower in post).
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 10,000rpm/5 HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Radial arm
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: 2cm-36”
  Template support: No
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 114” X 42” X 96”
  Contact: Sawing Systems Inc., 865-525-0600; www.sawingsystems.com, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  SEELBACH INTERNATIONAL GmbH
  Rennerod, Germany
  U.S. agent/representative: GranQuartz, Tucker, Ga.
 
  Sinkworks FPS-1600
  KFP 4500
 
  Price: $10,995 (FPS)
  Production area (workable material length and width):  51.1”/130cm X 29.1”/74cm (FPS); 137.7”/350cm X 31.4”/80cm (KFP).
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 5.1”/130mm (both)
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP):  Variable 400-8350rpm (both)
  Machine functions:  Drilling, fluting, edging, milling, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp (FPS); vacuum (KFP).
  Production head travel: Rail
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: 2cm-4cm
  Template support: Yes (KFP)
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 67.5” X 42.5” X 19.5” (FPS); 127” X 43” X 62” (KFP).
  Note: The FPS-1600 is “portable,” in that it can be moved and attached to large areas of stone.
  Contact: GranQuartz, 800-458-6222; www.granquartz.com, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
  
  THIBAUT S.A.
  Vire, France
  U.S. agent/representative: Euro Stone Machine, Atlanta, Ga.
 
  T108 s
  T108 L
 
  Production area (workable material length and width):  9.8’ X 2.1’ (108 s); 10.5’ X 4.3’ (108 L). (Dimensions for both w/120mm tooling.).
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 11.4”/290mm (both)
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 250-10,000rpm / 7 HP (both)
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, edge profiling, milling, polishing, sawing (both).
  Material holddown method: Clamp, vacuum (both).
  Production head travel: Radial arm (T108 s); rail (T108L).
  Minimum/maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: .78”/20mm-11.4”/290mm, depending on tools used.
  Template support: Yes for bowl cutting and drainboard applicaitons (both).
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 17.7’ X 11’ X 7.5’ (108 s); 20’ X 11’ X 7.5’ (108 L).
  Note:  Thibaut also offers the T108 A automated production center on essentially the same platform as the T 108 L, with the only difference being a slight reduction of workable material length to 129.9”/3300mm and a total machinery size of 21.6’ X 11.5’ 8.6’. Since the T108 A is a CNC machine, no physical template support is offered.
  Contact: Euro Stone Machine, 770-414-1997. www.eurostone-thibaut.com
  
  VIC INTERNATIONAL CORP.
  Knoxville, Tenn.
 
  Scorpion Router Work Center
 
  Price:  $16,900
  Production area (workable material length and width):  7’
  Vertical stroke (Z axis) of tool head: 8”
  Spindle speed (RPM) and power rating (HP): 2,700-10,000rpm / 3 HP
  Machine functions:  Drilling, edging, milling, polishing.
  Material holddown method: Clamp
  Production head travel: Radial arm
  Maximum thickness of stone that can be worked: 4cm.
  Template support: Yes
  Total machinery size (length X width X height): 8’ X 28’ X 6’
  Contact: VIC International Corp., 800-423-1634; www.rye-corp.com
 

This article first appeared in the January 2007 print edition of Stone Business. ©2007 Western Business Media Inc.