RGPBALLS custom machining: how a ball is made to customer specifications

Where customised precision balls are needed 

Customised precision balls are used in situations where catalogue solutions are not enough and every detail becomes decisive. Demands include specific combinations of materials, dimensions, tolerances and surface processing, particularly (though not exclusively) in the following sectors:

Automotive: reliability in motion

In steering, suspension and transmission systems, automotive precision balls must ensure smoothness, tight tolerances and wear resistance. Each component contributes directly to the safety and durability of vehicles, even under the harshest conditions of use.

Industrial packaging: certified hygiene

In packaging machines, components resistant to aggressive cleaning cycles and repeated sterilisation without risk of contamination are essential. Certified customised precision balls ensure production continuity and consistent quality even in the harshest environments.

Industrial valves and fittings: extreme resistance

We design balls for high pressures, high temperatures and chemically aggressive fluids, with dedicated surface treatments.

These components guarantee reliability and long life, even in industrial plants subject to continuous stress.

Food and chemical: safe materials 

In the food and chemical industries, balls are needed that comply with the strictest hygiene regulations, which are resistant to solvents and corrosive agents and have documented traceability.

The use of certified materials protects sensitive processes, reduces contamination risks and ensures regulatory compliance.

Precision mechanics and electronics: advanced micro-components

Microballs with millimetre or sub-millimetre diameters, micron tolerances, controlled magnetic properties and a calibrated coefficient of thermal expansion are the obvious choice for miniaturised medical devices, advanced optics and high-performance electronic components.

Technical drawing or customised solution? With RGPBALLS you always have the solution

Customised requests usually emerge from two approaches:

• With a technical drawing already defined: the customer provides the design, materials and tolerances. RGPBALLS checks their feasibility, proposes optimisations and points out any criticalities.
• From functional requirements: the customer describes the expected performance (strength, durability, smoothness) and RGPBALLS develops the optimal technical solution, specifies material, dimensions and processing.

However, in both cases, our process consists of several clear steps:

• Application analysis: assessment of loads, operating environment, regulatory constraints.
• Shared design: choice of materials and processing, in line with ISO standards.
• Prototyping and testing: pilot samples to validate real performance.
• Production and quality control: in-house machining with metrological and metallographic checks.

Thanks to this structured process, all balls are the result of a technical collaboration that guarantees precision and reliability.

Materials and processing available for custom balls 

There are no theoretical limits to the materials that can be machined: technically RGPBALLS can produce custom balls in any alloy or composition.

Specifically, today the manufacturing focuses on:

• Steels: carbon, alloy and hardened and unhardened stainless steels, ideal for most industrial operations.
• Ceramics and special materials: developed for special requirements of resistance, smoothness or compatibility with critical environments.

Each choice is always guided by the final purpose and required performance, to guarantee components perfectly calibrated to the real conditions of use.

Phases and timescales of RGPBALLS customised machining

Customised balls follow the same basic production cycle as standard balls, but with targeted adjustments to meet customer specifications.

In summary, the main stages include:

1. Cutting and moulding of the rough shape.
2. Grinding, lapping and polishing to achieve dimensional accuracy and optimum surface finish.
3. Heat and surface processing (e.g. passivation, carbonitriding, protective coatings) to increase strength and durability.

Production and delivery times vary according to complexity, material and quantity required, but are always planned to ensure punctuality and continuity of supply.

In-house checks and final validation of customised balls

Each customised production batch undergoes rigorous testing in RGPBALLS in-house laboratories:

• Metallographic laboratory: material structure analysis to confirm strength and conformity.
• Metrology lab: high-precision dimensional checks to ensure compliance with required tolerances.

Thanks to these tests, each ball is validated before delivery and quality remains constant even in the most complex deliveries.

Traceability and technical support of our machining 

A distinctive element of our custom machining is complete traceability: each ball is monitored throughout the entire process, from raw material to finished product, with dedicated documentation (certificates, batch codes, technical reports).

We accompany the customer

• from the beginning, with pre-sales technical advice guiding them in their choice of materials and processing,
• to the end, with punctual and accurate after-sales assistance.

As a result, the customer can count on a reliable and continuous technical partner: quite different from a simple supplier.

RGPBALLS is your strategic partner for customised machining

The production of customised precision balls represents the synthesis of the technical expertise, production flexibility and customer orientation that distinguish RGPBALLS.

In essence, relying on us means being able to count on:

• Multi-sectoral expertise, gained in different industrial sectors.
• Vertically integrated production, with direct control of each phase.
• Advanced in-house laboratories, for rapid testing and comprehensive documentation.
• Proactive consulting, geared to optimise performance and costs.
• Complete traceability, in line with international certifications.

Every customised sphere is an expression of the added value of Made in Italy, the result of a path shared with the customer and designed to transform specific requirements into concrete, durable components.

Do you need customised precision balls or a reliable technical partner for your new product?

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