Blohm Profimat 408
Key Specifications
Table Size
table longitudinal travel
table cross travel
vertical travel
max workpiece height
max workpiece weight
Overview
The Blohm Profimat 408 is a high-performance CNC surface and profile grinding machine with a 400 x 800 mm working table, designed for demanding production grinding of complex profiles, aerospace components, and precision tooling. Built on a heavy polymer-concrete (Granitan) machine bed that delivers exceptional vibration damping, the Profimat 408 handles both creep-feed and pendulum grinding with equal precision, making it one of the most versatile surface grinders in its class.
Blohm, part of the United Grinding Group, engineered the Profimat series around high-speed spindle technology and rigid column construction. The 408 features a 22 kW grinding spindle capable of wheel peripheral speeds up to 80 m/s — high enough for CBN and vitrified wheels used in aerospace alloy grinding. The hydrostatic guideway system in the X and Z axes eliminates stick-slip, ensuring consistent infeed accuracy at the micron level across the full table stroke.
The machine's CNC control — typically a Siemens 840D sl with Blohm's OP 15 operator interface — provides full 3-axis simultaneous interpolation for profiling operations. Integrated dressing cycles for formed wheels and in-process gauging interfaces make the Profimat 408 suitable for lights-out grinding of turbine blades, compressor vanes, broaches, and precision dies. The automatic coolant management system maintains consistent thermal conditions during long production runs.
For shops moving from manual or simpler CNC surface grinders into profile grinding capability, the Profimat 408 represents the entry point into genuine aerospace-grade profile grinding. Pricing typically runs $350,000–$550,000 new. Competitors include the Mägerle MGC-L, Makino G7, and Studer S41 in profile mode. Used machines from the 2015–2022 era trade between $120,000 and $300,000 depending on spindle hours and options.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Table Size | 400 x 800 mm (15.7 x 31.5 in) |
| Table Longitudinal Travel | 900 mm (35.4 in) |
| Table Cross Travel | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
| Vertical Travel | 500 mm (19.7 in) |
| Max Workpiece Height | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Max Workpiece Weight | 300 kg (660 lb) |
| Grinding Spindle Power | 22 kW (29.5 HP) |
| Max Wheel Peripheral Speed | 80 m/s |
| Max Grinding Wheel Diameter | 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Max Grinding Wheel Width | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Table Speed Creep Feed | 0.01 – 6,000 mm/min |
| Table Speed Pendulum | Up to 40,000 mm/min |
| Guideway System | Hydrostatic X and Z axes |
| Machine Base | Polymer concrete (Granitan-type) |
| CNC Control | Siemens 840D sl with Blohm OP 15 interface |
| Manufacturer | Blohm |
| Grinding Length | 900 mm |
| Model | PROFIMAT |
Specifications sourced from machinio.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 22 kW high-speed spindle with up to 80 m/s wheel speed supports both conventional abrasive and CBN wheels — essential for aerospace superalloy and hardened steel grinding
- Hydrostatic guideways in X and Z axes eliminate stick-slip and provide ultra-consistent infeed accuracy at micron level, critical for tight profile tolerances
- Polymer concrete (Granitan) base delivers superior vibration damping versus cast iron, improving achievable surface finish Ra values across all materials
- Wide table stroke range from 0.01 mm/min to 40,000 mm/min covers both slow creep-feed profiling and fast pendulum grinding in one machine
Limitations
- At $350,000–$550,000 new, the Profimat 408 is a capital-intensive investment — smaller shops with simple surface grinding needs will find far better value in conventional surface grinders
- The 400 mm table width limits the machine to workpieces that fit within that cross-travel envelope — shops grinding wide pallets or large plates need a wider table variant
- High-speed spindle technology and hydrostatic systems require trained service personnel — field support costs and lead times can be significant outside major industrial regions
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Creep-feed grinding uses a very slow table feed (often under 1,000 mm/min) with a deep single pass to grind complex profiles in one stroke — it removes a lot of material at once and is ideal for profiling superalloys and hardened steel. Pendulum grinding uses fast reciprocating passes with light infeed increments, better for flat surface finishing. The Profimat 408 covers both modes with a table speed range from 0.01 to 40,000 mm/min, making it one of the most versatile surface grinders available.
02
Yes. The 22 kW spindle and 80 m/s wheel speed capability support the CBN and vitrified superabrasive wheels required for Inconel, titanium, and other aerospace alloys. Creep-feed grinding at controlled infeed rates with appropriate coolant is the standard approach for these materials, and the Profimat 408's hydrostatic guideways maintain the consistent feed rates necessary for burn-free grinding of difficult materials.
03
The Profimat 412 has a longer table — 400 x 1,200 mm versus the 408's 400 x 800 mm — giving it 50% more longitudinal travel. Both machines share the same column construction, spindle power, and control platform. Choose the 408 for components up to approximately 700 mm long, and the 412 for longer workpieces such as aerospace structural parts, long broaches, and extended die sections.
04
The Profimat 408 runs on a Siemens 840D sl CNC platform with Blohm's proprietary OP 15 graphical operator interface. The OP 15 simplifies programming of grinding and dressing cycles through graphical input screens, reducing the need for manual G-code programming. The Siemens 840D sl provides the underlying 3-axis interpolation, PROFIBUS integration for automation peripherals, and long-term parts availability from Siemens.
05
Used Profimat 408 machines from the 2015–2022 production period typically trade between $120,000 and $300,000 depending on age, spindle hours, installed options (dressing units, in-process gauging, automation), and overall condition. Machines with low spindle hours and full dressing packages command the upper end. Blohm grinders are well-supported through United Grinding's North American service network, which helps maintain resale value.
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