RAFAMET: A Global Leader in Special-Purpose Machine Tools Manufacturing

RAFAMET is a renowned name in the global market for the manufacturing of special-purpose machine tools. The company, with its headquarters in Poland, has a rich history and a strong presence in the industry. It has successfully manufactured and sold over 5,300 machines for railways and over 700 other heavy-duty special-purpose machine tools to customers from over 70 countries around the world. The company’s export share in total sales is 70-80%, making it a significant player in the international market.

The RAFAMET Group

The RAFAMET Group, where RAFAMET S.A. is the parent company, is made up of four legally and organizationally separate units and two business centers. Each of these units has a set of clearly defined strategic goals to achieve, as well as a specified share in the RAFAMET Group’s overall business activities.

RAFAMET Railways

RAFAMET Railways is focused on machine tools for wheelset machining (wheels and axles), rail vehicle bogies, and rail switches. It also offers rail-road shunting vehicles, as well as measuring devices for wheel geometry and flaw detection.

RAFAMET Foundry

RAFAMET Foundry is a manufacturer of large and heavy grey iron castings (ranging from 500 kg to 4 tonnes), as well as ductile and alloy cast iron (300 kg to 30 tonnes). The Foundry utilizes the lost foam pattern technology and for the repairs, it uses the unique METALOCK method.

PORĘBA Machine Tools

PORĘBA Machine Tools focuses on super heavy, heavy and medium centre and floor-type horizontal lathes, as well as large-size horizontal deep drilling machines and horizontal deep drilling and boring lathes.

RAFAMET Service & Trade

RAFAMET Service & Trade assists the companies of the RAFAMET Group in providing after-sale services including technical support repairs and modernizations of the machine tools. The company also offers products complementary to the basic assortment of the RAFAMET Group units, such as wheelset mounting and demounting presses, wheel measuring equipment, and rail-road shunting vehicles.

RAFAMET Large Part Machining

RAFAMET Large Part Machining is directed to a selected group of customers interested in contract machining services on large size CNC milling machines, as well as vertical turning and milling centres.

The Rafamet UBC 150 Lathe

One of the notable machines manufactured by RAFAMET is the Rafamet UBC 150 lathe. This machine is designed for machining wheelsets and is considered an advanced and modern machine capable of processing various types of materials with high precision and quality. Its main advantage is the ability to machine two pieces simultaneously, which increases efficiency and speeds up the entire process compared to conventional lathes that only machine one piece at a time.

The Rafamet UBC 150 lathe has a robust construction and high performance, ensuring strength and reliability during operation. It also has a range of features, such as an automatic tool spindle and automatic material removal, which facilitate work and improve the precision and quality of machining.

Given that the Rafamet UBC 150 lathe can process two pieces simultaneously, it is suitable for manufacturing companies that produce the same product in large quantities. These companies can also take advantage of the automatic functions to increase productivity and reduce labor costs.

In conclusion, the Rafamet UBC 150 lathe is an excellent machine for machining wheelsets. Its robust construction, high performance, and a range of useful features make it an ideal choice for manufacturing companies looking for high efficiency and quality in machining wheelsets.

History of RAFAMET

RAFAMET’s history spans over 175 years, with its roots tracing back to 1846 when the first steel plant called “Nadzieja” (meaning “Hope”) was erected next to the railway station in Kuźnia Raciborska, Poland. This was after the start-up of the Berlin – Vienna railway line, which ran through Kuźnia Raciborska. In the second half of the nineteenth century, a rolling mill and a cast iron foundry were added to the factory.

In 1889, the factory was taken over by Wilhelm Hegenscheidt. During that time, the factory manufactured various building equipment and products for railways, such as bolts and axles for wheel sets. The first lathe for machining heavy wheel sets was produced in 1920.

The company, as we know it today, came into being in 1946 under the name “RAFO”. Over the years, the factory began manufacturing a second family of machine tools – heavy-duty universal vertical turning and boring mills for users in the machine-building, power generation, shipbuilding, metallurgical, aerospace, and defense industries. In the following years, the company’s production range extended into large-size horizontal lathes, portal milling machines, and special-purpose machine tools.

In 1964, RAFAMET, along with three other Polish companies, acquired the right to independent export and import activities without the Foreign Trade Agencies. This was considered an economic experiment at the time.

The state-owned RAFAMET enterprise was transformed into a joint-stock company (S.A.) in 1992. In 1996, the foundry was separated from the organizational structure of RAFAMET S.A., forming the RAFAMET Foundry Ltd. The same year, the company’s shares were admitted to be traded on the over-the-counter market CeTO S.A. in Warsaw, making it the first company in Poland to do so.

In 2007, RAFAMET S.A. made its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The new Assembly Shop no. 2 was commissioned in 2015, and the POREBA trademark was acquired in 2016. As of 2023, the governmental Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.) holds 93% of the company’s shares.

Conclusion

RAFAMET has a rich history and a strong presence in the global market for the manufacturing of special-purpose machine tools. The company’s success is built on its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Its wide range of products, including the Rafamet UBC 150 lathe, demonstrates its expertise and dedication to providing top-quality machine tools for various industries.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Rafamet UBC 150 lathe, you can find one available for purchase at Sedlacek-T. This machine is an excellent investment for manufacturing companies looking for high efficiency and quality in machining wheelsets.

For more information about RAFAMET and its range of products, you can visit their official website.