Made to order
- RUBIN 520 head with sample holder and quick-change adapters
- Install, training and matched starter consumables + validated methods
SAPHIR 550 / RUBIN 520
The QATM SAPHIR 550 with the motor-driven RUBIN 520 head is a single-wheel metallographic grinder-polisher — it prepares 1–6 mounted samples at once with single or central force and automatic material-removal measurement, for deformation-free surfaces ready for hardness testing and microscopy.
- ✔ Ø 200–300 mm working wheel · single force 5–100 N or central 20–400 N
- ✔ Automatic material-removal measurement to 0.01 mm · touch-screen stored methods
- ✔ Lead time: 4–8 weeks — configured to order · install & training included
What your metallography lab actually checks
Repeatable prep, not operator feel
The RUBIN 520 head applies single force 5–100 N or central force 20–400 N and measures material removal automatically to 0.01 mm. A hardness reading or micrograph is only defensible when the prepared surface is the same run after run — the SAPHIR 550 takes operator variation out.
A materialography engineer on the line
Wheel size, sample holders and preparation methods matched to your material mix by engineers who run metallographic prep in-house at Additive Plus. Sub-4h reply, NDA standard.
SAPHIR 550 with RUBIN 520 is a single-wheel metallographic grinder-polisher with a motor-driven grinding and polishing head — it prepares 1–6 mounted samples at once for reproducible, deformation-free surfaces ready for hardness testing and microscopy.
Why metallography labs choose the SAPHIR 550
Repeatable preparation is what makes a hardness reading or micrograph defensible — the RUBIN 520 head takes the operator variation out.
Single and central pressure
Single force 5–80 N per sample or central force 20–400 N across the holder — mix diameters and materials in one run without re-clamping.
Automatic removal measurement
Set a target removal to 0.01 mm; the machine measures material removed automatically and switches off when the preset value is reached.
Independent variable speeds
Base wheel 50–600 rpm and head 30–150 rpm, adjustable during the cycle. Clockwise/counter-clockwise head rotation for cleaner polishing.
Touch control, memory, safety
Programmable methods on a touch display with password protection per program. Preparation starts only with the front cover extended; the basin is LED-lit.
How Additive Plus supplies the SAPHIR 550
A grinder-polisher is only as good as the method behind it — we set both up together.
Configure to your lab
Working-wheel diameter (Ø 200–300 mm), sample-holder set, and RUBIN 520 head matched to your throughput and material mix.
Install and train
Delivered, levelled and connected to water; your operators are trained on force, speed and removal settings so results are repeatable from day one.
Validated methods and consumables
We hand over saved preparation programs plus matched discs, cloths and suspensions — reorder without re-developing the method.
Grinding and polishing performance
The RUBIN 520 head applies individual pressure to each sample, so specimens of different diameter and material reach the same surface in a single run. It carries a memory function for side and height setting, a quick-change function for sample holders, and clockwise/counter-clockwise rotation. Integrated basin rinsing cools the working wheel and cleans the basin throughout the cycle. See the full specifications tab below for connection power, drive ratings and dimensions.
Typical applications
Wherever a defensible hardness reading or micrograph starts with a clean, flat, deformation-free surface.
Not sure the SAPHIR 550 is the right size?
Compare the single-wheel SAPHIR 550 against higher-throughput grinder-polishers in the QATM line.
Why source the SAPHIR 550 through Additive Plus
- QATM grinder-polishers configured, installed and trained by engineers who run metallographic prep in-house
- Matched consumables — discs, cloths, suspensions — supplied and reorderable without re-qualifying the method
- Full prep-to-test chain from one partner: sectioning, mounting, grinding/polishing, etching, hardness testing and imaging
- Leasing and financing available for capital lab equipment · <24h response · 200+ systems delivered across 23 countries
| Brand | QATM |
| Working wheels | ø 200 - 300 mm |
| No. of samples (single pressure) | 1-6 samples ø 50 mm |
| Single pressing force | variable, 5-100 N |
| Central pressing force | variable, 20-400 N |
| Connection power | 3.2 kVA |
| Drive power (grinder) | 0.75 kW (S1) |
| Drive power (head) | 0.17 kW (S1) |
| Speed (grinder) | 50 – 600 rpm |
| Speed (head) | 30 – 150 rpm |
| W x H x D | 560 x 550 - 650 x 660 mm / 22.05 x 21.65-25.59 x 25.98 in |
| Weight | ~ 85 kg |
| Water connection | 1x fresh water connection R½" max. 6 bars |
Send representative specimens and we'll grind, polish and return them prepared on the SAPHIR platform — so you see the finish before you commit.
Other products teams run alongside SAPHIR 550 / RUBIN 520
The QATM QPOL GO is a compact grinding and polishing head — the entry point to automatic sample preparation. It mounts on the manual QPOL 250 M1/2 and QPOL 300 M1/2 machines and holds 1–4 samples Ø 40 mm.
- ✔ Automatic head for 1–4 samples Ø 40 mm on a Ø 120 mm holder
- ✔ Adjust single pressure (5–45 N) and time directly on the head
- ✔ Retrofits to QATM manual grinders; pairs with Qdoser ONE/ECO dosing
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM QPOL XL is a robust floor-standing grinding and polishing machine for high sample throughput — working wheels Ø 300/350 mm, an integrated load cell and motorized force control up to 750 N for defined removal and high process reliability.
- ✔ Load cell + motorized force control (50–750 N) for defined, reliable removal
- ✔ Working wheels Ø 300/350 mm at 50–600 rpm; sample holder to Ø 204 mm
- ✔ Store up to 200 methods with professional user management; floor-standing stability
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM QPOL 250 A1-ECO is a single-wheel grinding and polishing machine for the metallographic laboratory, for working wheels Ø 200/250 mm — 4.3" touch control, up to 200 stored preparation methods and adjustable pressure, speed and rotation direction.
- ✔ Single-disc holder — metallographic prep without a carrier disc
- ✔ Store and recall up to 200 preparation methods with user-account protection
- ✔ Cleaning Boost spin-dries the medium at 750 rpm in ~3 s; pairs with Qdoser dosing
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM QETCH 1000 is a fully automatic electrolytic polisher and etcher with intuitive touch-screen control — 90 V DC up to 14 A, a scan function that maps a material's voltage curve, and interchangeable 1 L electrolyte tanks.
- ✔ Fully automatic electrolytic polishing (1 s–25 min) and etching (1 s–5 min)
- ✔ Scan function displays a material's voltage curve for fast results without structural change
- ✔ Interchangeable 1 L electrolyte tanks; separated unit works in a fume cabinet
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM QPOL VIBRO is a vibratory polishing device that prepares specimen surfaces practically without deformation — the final step for EBSD, AFM nano-indentation and micro-hardness, with a Ø 308 mm bowl and 60–120 Hz vibration.
- ✔ Deformation-free surfaces for EBSD, AFM and micro-hardness work
- ✔ Ø 308 mm bowl polishes a full holder or up to 21 mounted specimens at once
- ✔ Tool-free double magnetic system fixes and releases 300/305 mm cloths in seconds
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM SAPHIR 560 with the motor-driven RUBIN 520 head is a twin-wheel metallographic grinder-polisher — two independent wheels let you grind on one and polish on the other, preparing 1–6 mounted samples per run with automatic material-removal measurement for deformation-free surfaces.
- ✔ Twin Ø 200–300 mm wheels · single force 5–100 N or central force via holder
- ✔ Automatic material-removal measurement to 0.01 mm · touch-screen stored methods
- ✔ Lead time: 4–8 weeks — configured to order · install & training included
Made to order
· Lead time: 4–8 weeks — configured to order
The QATM QGRIND 100 is a stable wet double-belt grinder for deburring and pre-grinding metallographic and AM samples — two endless belts run at 7 m/s, and you can mount two different grits at once.
- ✔ Two endless belts (100 × 920 mm) — run two grit sizes side by side
- ✔ Wet grinding at 7 m/s flushes swarf away through the water supply
- ✔ Deburr as-cut and printed parts fast before fine grinding and polishing
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timeline
The QATM QPOL 300 BOT fully automates grinding and polishing — including cleaning and drying — across a configurable 4–8 station line with working wheels up to Ø 300 mm and a Ø 350 mm grinding stone.
- ✔ Full automation of grinding, polishing, cleaning and drying in one line
- ✔ Configurable 4–8 stations; central pressure 50–450 N, wheels to Ø 300 mm
- ✔ Touch-screen access to all parameters; ultrasonic cleaning option (400 W)
- ✔ Lead time: configured to order — request the current timeline
Made to order
· Lead time: configured to order — request current timelineCommon questions
Don't see yours? Email [email protected] — NDA standard, typical reply within 4 hours.
How many samples can the SAPHIR 550 prepare at once?
What is the difference between single and central pressure on the RUBIN 520 head?
How accurate is the automatic material-removal measurement?
What working-wheel diameters and speeds does the SAPHIR 550 use?
Can the SAPHIR 550 prepare additively manufactured metal coupons?
What consumables and infrastructure does the SAPHIR 550 need?
What is the lead time and is installation included?
Place your order, or talk to an engineer first
Order SAPHIR 550 / RUBIN 520 direct, or talk to materials engineer