Alukönigstahl
Contact
AKS Login
Projects we support

Steel for machine construction

A machine frame carries loads that change direction thousands of times a day. It has to stay dimensionally accurate after welding, hold its geometry while it is machined, and keep doing both after years in production. That puts the section itself, and the way it was manufactured, at the centre of the design.

We supply hollow sections and tubes for machine and special purpose machinery construction, together with the prefabrication that turns a length of steel into a part ready for the welding jig.
Gigantischer Schiffsrumpf im Sonnenuntergang

What machine construction asks of a steel section

Compared with a static building structure, a machine frame is loaded differently, fabricated differently and inspected differently. Three requirements decide most material selections.

Behaviour under dynamic load

Machines, handling equipment and conveying systems generate alternating and impact loads rather than constant ones. Hot finished hollow sections are formed at normalising temperature, which gives them a uniform grain structure across the whole cross section and consistent mechanical properties in the corner and weld seam areas.

Dimensional stability in fabrication

Low residual stress keeps a section stable while it is cut, welded, milled, planed or drilled, so frames stay within tolerance instead of twisting during production. With a uniform structure across the section, the position of the weld seam does not have to be taken into account when drilling.

Weldability and surface protection

Hot finished sections have no work hardening in the corner areas, a known cause of cracking, so they can be welded and hot dip galvanised without special precautions. Tight corner radii also mean less weld metal and lower heat input in the joint.

The range we supply

Hollow sections and tubes in structural and higher strength grades, in rectangular, square, round, oval and semi oval cross sections. Elliptical and semi oval sections are available in the hot finished programme and open up geometries that a round tube of the same dimension cannot cover.

Dimensions outside the standard programme and special grades are sourced on request. 

Our steel trading products

Hot Formed Hollow Sections

Hot Formed Hollow Sections

Cold Formed Hollow Sections

Cold Formed Hollow Sections

Seamless Tubes

Seamless Tubes

Precision tubes

Precision tubes

Hollow sections to EN 10210 and EN 10219

Square

15 x 15 mm to 500 x 500 mm; EN 10210 hot finished up to 400 x 400 mm with wall thicknesses up to 20 mm, EN 10219 cold formed up to 300 x 300 mm with wall thicknesses up to 12.5 mm

Rectangular

15 x 10 mm to 600 x 400 mm; EN 10210 hot finished up to 500 x 300 mm with wall thicknesses up to 20 mm, EN 10219 cold formed up to 400 x 200 mm with wall thicknesses up to 12.5 mm

Shaped tubes

EN 10219 up to 120/80 and 100/100, wall thicknesses up to 5 mm, length 6,000 mm

Grades

S235JRH, S275J2H, S355J2H, S355NH, S420NH, S460NH, stainless steel and various special grades

Stock programme

Hot finished in S355J2H and S355NH; cold formed in S235JRH, S275J2H and S355J2H

Availability

Stock range and delivery programme vary between markets. Your local ALUKÖNIGSTAHL team will confirm what is available for your project.

Services we offer

Every operation you do not have to carry out in your own workshop shortens the throughput time of the assembly. We prepare sections so that they reach your welding jig cut, mitred, bent and ready to position.

3D tube laser cutting

Contours, openings, connection geometries and mounting aids are cut into the section in one operation. Fewer steps in your own production, optimised weld edges for better weld quality, and positioning aids that improve fit accuracy at assembly.

Sawing and cutting to length

Fixed length cuts as well as single and double mitre cuts. Material arrives in the lengths your assembly needs, which simplifies handling and avoids costly offcuts in your own workshop.

Bending

Cold and hot bending, rolling and press bending through our bending partners, for curved frame elements, guards and transitions that would otherwise have to be welded together from straight pieces.

Sandblasting

Removal of rust, scale, soiling and paint residues, so that the surface is prepared for the coating or galvanising step that follows.

Laser processing envelope

Hollow sections and open sections are processed continuously, in finished part lengths that cover most machine frame components without a joint.

Laser work is carried out in line with EN ISO 9001, EN 1090-2 and EN ISO 9013.

Sizing

Enveloping circle diameter up to 610 mm
Hollow sections and oval tubes up to 500 x 300 mm and 400 x 400 mm
Open sections up to 500 x 300 mm
Material thickness, steel up to 22 mm
Finished part length up to 14,000 mm
Weight up to 290 kg/m
File formats STEP, IGES and IFC for 3D model imports, plus DWG, DXF and PDF

For an enquiry, send a STEP file together with a PDF, DWG or DXF drawing. For simple parts a PDF is sufficient. Prefabrication services are available in selected markets.

Questions we are asked regularly

Projects we support

All projects we support

Our product portfolio serves a number of other sectors as well. The same hollow sections, tubes and prefabrication go into projects with quite different requirements, and each sector page sets out what matters there.

PLANT AND STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Columns, trusses and frame structures in plant engineering and structural steelwork.

OPEN

Bridge construction

Load bearing structures with high demands on grade, documentation and traceability.

OPEN

VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION

Chassis and body structures under permanent dynamic and impact loads.

OPEN

ELEVATORS AND CABLEWAYS

Structures in continuous operation, frequently exposed to weather and low temperatures.

OPEN

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Equipment and machinery structures in outdoor use, with a high share of repeat parts.

SHIP BUILDING

Sections for hull and deck structures and for onboard equipment.

OPEN

METAL CONSTRUCTION

Fabrication work from balustrades and canopies through to individual steel structures.

Get in touch with us

Send us a drawing or a model and our steel team will come back with the section, the grade and the prefabrication steps that fit your production. On request we will assess the potential of 3D laser processing directly at your site.

Request a quoteTalk to the steel team