KOBELCO Achieves OEM-Level Precision with FI40E On-Site Flange Facing Machine

KOBELCO Achieves OEM-Level Precision with FI40E On-Site Flange Facing Machine

Osaka, Japan – June 2025 — Precision flange surfaces are vital in compressor systems, and KOBELCO, a global leader in industrial compressors, recently enhanced its assembly line by integrating the FI40E on-site flange facing machine from MT Portable Machine. Designed for high-accuracy in-situ flange machining, the FI40E played a pivotal role in meeting the tight sealing requirements for KOBELCO's large-scale compressors.

KOBELCO’s compressors serve the most demanding sectors—LNG, petrochemical, and high-pressure gas transmission—where flange face integrity directly impacts system performance. To avoid disassembly or production delays, KOBELCO turned to on-site machining, selecting MT’s FI40E flange facing solution for its portability, rigidity, and ASME/JIS-compliant finish quality.

The FI40E supports a flange machining diameter range from 6" to 40" (153–1000 mm) and is equipped with a Panasonic servo motor that offers variable speed control, six automatic feed settings, and tight flatness tolerances. During a four-day operation at the Kobe facility, MT’s service team machined suction and discharge nozzle flanges on multi-stage axial compressors. The finished surfaces achieved a roughness of Ra 3.2 or better, and a flatness within 0.05 mm, surpassing both ASME and JIS standards.

“The FI40E delivered flawless results. Its tool post rigidity ensured stable, chatter-free cuts, and the adjustable feed helped us meet multiple sealing profiles,” noted Mr. Tanaka, Senior QA Engineer at KOBELCO.

Beyond supplying the equipment, MT Portable Machine provided full engineering support, including onsite setup, tooling advice, and operator training. The modular design allowed for flexible mounting in both horizontal and vertical orientations, maximizing efficiency on the factory floor.

“We designed the FI40E to meet the strictest OEM requirements in real production environments,” said Eason Wang, Technical Director at MT. “This project with KOBELCO demonstrates that our on-site flange facing solutions match factory-level accuracy—without moving the workpiece.”

As industrial systems grow larger and downtime becomes costlier, companies like KOBELCO are embracing portable, precision-driven machining technologies. The FI40E is proving that you don’t have to compromise accuracy for mobility.