Precision mechanical machining on granite and ceramics
Precision mechanical machining on granite and ceramics is at the core of the Microplan Group’s business.
For 50 years, our companies have specialized in the production of granite bases for a wide range of industrial applications.
From metrology to 3D measuring machines, from electronics to semiconductors, from aerospace to automotive, Microplan provides innovative, tailor-made solutions with high quality standards.
The strength of Microplan Group lies in a fully digitalized and computerized production process, based on state-of-the-art CNC machinery that ensures repeatable quality results. This advanced automation is perfectly integrated with the craftsmanship of manual finishing, namely lapping.
Thanks to this combination of technology and human expertise, each of our products meets the highest quality requirements of our customers.
From raw material to finished product: Microplan production cycle
Our precision machining operations begin with the careful selection of raw materials.
To ensure high-level metrological standards, all our materials are sourced from selected Partners chosen for their reliability and continuously monitored: granites — sourced from South Africa, India, France and Italy — alumina ceramic and silicon carbide are also subjected to rigorous in-house Quality Control to guarantee the reliability and durability of Microplan products.
The Microplan Quality System: unique identification and product traceability
Thanks to dedicated Production Management Software (MES) and a fully digitalized Quality System, each piece is assigned and engraved with a unique identification serial number, allowing every stage of production to be tracked: from block selection to slab cutting, mechanical machining and finishing operations, through to the Inspection and After-Sales phases.
Slab cutting and shaping
The slab cutting and shaping process is carried out using CNC machinery, with diamond tools such as milling cutters and blades.
Thanks to CNC machinery, the granite cutting process is fast, efficient and accurate, and facilitates the subsequent mechanical grinding operations.
After the slabs have been cut, forming the starting blanks for subsequent machining operations, a thorough quality control check is carried out to detect any defects in the raw material and identify the material to be rejected.
Drilling and milling
Drilling and milling are carried out on CNC machinery equipped with diamond tools.
Thanks to the use of CAD-CAM systems, drawing-based machining operations are automatically converted into execution programs for the machines; this significantly reduces the production times for complex machining operations.
Very tight geometric and positional tolerances are guaranteed, made possible by the recent integration of geometric and thermal compensation systems on the machines and by the use of high-precision origin setting systems.
High-precision lapping
High-precision lapping on granite consists of a manual machining operation performed by expert operators and is the process through which extremely accurate geometries can be achieved.
Flatness, perpendicularity, parallelism and roundness, with tolerances even below one micron, are achieved through abrasion using specific tools and abrasive powders, combined with the craftsmanship of operators specialized in this process, as well as through the use of extremely sensitive, precise and accurate electronic equipment and measuring instruments, such as high-precision electronic levels, electronic and optical autocollimators, digital indicators, roughness testers and many other form-measuring instruments, designed to guarantee maximum quality and the traceability of primary reference standards.
Polishing and smoothing
Smoothing or polishing is a process carried out on surfaces where compliance with specific geometric and dimensional tolerances is not required, in order to make them aesthetically similar to ground and/or lapped surfaces.
The operation can be performed on surfaces of any size and shape, either by machine or manually, using specific diamond tools.
An alternative to polishing, which is a true mechanical machining process, is the application of epoxy coatings and specifically designed surface treatments to make cut-only or milled surfaces aesthetically pleasing at a lower cost.
Bonding of bushings, threaded inserts, and T-slots for guiding and clamping
On granite and ceramic products, in order to enable the assembly of other mechanical components, threaded metal inserts, bushings or T-slots for guiding or clamping can be installed, bonded with high-strength adhesives and advanced technologies to ensure stable and long-lasting anchoring.
On request, we also manufacture special inserts with specific dimensions and threads, in any type of metal and according to the customer’s drawing, including precision reamed holes, interface flanges and much more.
Final inspection with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and traceable instruments
Final inspection is systematically performed through fully digitalized control processes that enable the acquisition and processing of the dimensional and geometric characteristics of the products.
All inspections are rigorously carried out in climate-controlled rooms with controlled temperature and humidity, using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and inspection instruments — electronic levels, autocollimators and indicators — that are traceable and regularly verified against certified primary instruments.
Each product is delivered with a complete Test Report, including all documentation on the inspections performed and the actual errors detected on the product.
In this way, we guarantee that every Microplan instrument meets the required dimensional, geometric and Quality requirements.
All mechanical machining operations
The strengths of Microplan Group
Accuracy and precision
We manufacture standard and custom-designed products whose verification is carried out with traceability to certified primary instruments.
Efficiency and speed
Thanks to innovative processes and CAD-CAM technology, we reduce production times and optimize machining cycles.
Versatility and flexibility
We machine different materials, manufacturing even complex parts, thanks to design and structural verification carried out by our in-house department.
Fields of application of Microplan precision machining
Our products are used in numerous industrial sectors:
Industrial metrology
surface plates, measuring benches and inspection instruments
Measuring machines
custom-designed natural granite bases and ceramic components
Machine tools
high-precision bases and components in natural granite and synthetic granite
Electronics and semiconductors
high-precision natural and synthetic granite bases and ceramic components
Automotive
production of custom bases, components and measuring benches in natural and synthetic granite for functional testing and quality control
Aerospace industry
production of large-size measuring benches, structures and components in natural granite and ceramic
Optics and medical
natural granite bases and inspection benches, and granite and ceramic components
Research
natural and synthetic granite bases and ceramic components for Universities and Research Centers
Grinding and lapping:
In our precision mechanical machining operations, each piece is ground to obtain surfaces with flatness between 20 and 50 microns per square metre.
Subsequently, the lapping stage, carried out in climate-controlled environments with controlled temperature and humidity at 20 °C, makes it possible to achieve flatness accuracy down to 0.001 mm/m². This process is essential to ensure not only flatness accuracy, but also highly accurate surface perpendicularity and parallelism geometries.
Drilling and milling: high-precision machining
On request and according to drawing, we carry out precision drilling using diamond tools and machine tools for conventional material removal, as well as ultrasonic technology.
We also perform blind or through milling operations for the application of T-slots for guiding and clamping, in compliance with the customer’s technical drawing.
Bonding of inserts and metal parts
We manufacture stainless steel metal inserts in-house — with different diameters and different thread pitches, including special ones — threaded bushings and mechanical components in steel or aluminium, which are subsequently embedded in granite parts or assembled into more complex structures.
Microplan Quality Control: guaranteed reliability
Our rigorous Quality Control process includes dimensional and geometric tests carried out using state-of-the-art coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and high-precision measuring and inspection instruments.
Each Microplan product is identified with a unique serial number, which ensures complete traceability of every machining stage, from the origin of the raw material block through to shipment, and compliance with Microplan I.S.M.P. Quality Standards.
Custom packaging and careful shipping
To preserve the integrity of our products, we produce special custom packaging suitable for national and international transport. Depending on the destination country, we adopt advanced protection solutions, including special shock-absorbing cushions in thermoformed foam, anti-humidity treatments, barrier bags and reinforced crates for long-distance transport by sea or air.
Technology and innovation: the future of precision machining
Microplan Group continuously invests in new machinery and advanced technologies, ensuring precise Quality Control, also thanks to the integration of IoT for real-time analysis of production processes.
Thanks to these innovative solutions, we constantly optimize production times and costs, offering our customers cutting-edge products and services, with ever-increasing competitiveness in the market.
Why choose Microplan for your precision machining requirements
Choosing Microplan means choosing quality, precision and innovation. For 50 years, we have been a benchmark in the precision machining sector, offering our customers tailor-made solutions and technical support that is always available.
To find out how we can support you in the production of your precision components, contact us today: our team is ready to turn your ideas into concrete high-precision solutions.