Precision balls made of steel, stainless steel, ceramics, carbide, titanium and plastics – over 4 billion balls per year
KGM Kugelfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
Fulda (Johannisstraße 35)New on Amplifa
About KGM Kugelfabrik
KGM Kugelfabrik GmbH & Co. KG is a long-established manufacturer of precision balls based in Fulda. Founded in 1913, the company produces balls with diameters from 1 mm in around 140 materials, including rolling bearing steel, corrosion-resistant steels such as 1.4301 and 1.4306, tungsten carbide, pure titanium Ti2, Hastelloy, ceramics and plastics. The grades range from G3 to G500; over 4 billion balls leave production every year. In addition to mass production, KGM manufactures small series and custom balls with special sizes, bore holes and milled features, including CNC machining. Customers include industries such as the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical and food industries as well as hydraulics, pneumatics and metrology. The company supports customers in material selection and guarantees 100 % batch cleanliness through final inspection of every ball. Since 1919 the factory has used hydropower, supplemented by solar energy.
- Site
- Fulda
- Processes
- Manufacturing precision balls (mass production, over 4 billion balls per year), Manufacturing balls made of cemented carbide (tungsten carbide), Manufacturing titanium balls, Manufacturing Hastelloy balls, CNC machining of balls (drilling, milling, flattening), Small series and custom balls (special materials, all technically feasible ball sizes), Material testing and quality control (final inspection of every ball, 100 % batch cleanliness), Ball selection consulting
- Materials
- Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304), Stainless steel 1.4306 (AISI 304L), Tungsten carbide (cemented carbide), Pure titanium Ti2, Hastelloy C4, Hastelloy C276, Rolling bearing steel, Corrosion-resistant steels
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, Energy audit DIN EN 16247, AEO-C
- Founded
- 1913
- Industries
- Automotive industry, Mechanical engineering, Aerospace, Food industry, Electrical engineering, Medical technology
- 01
Ball selection consulting
- 02
Ball production (mass and small series manufacturing)
- 03
CNC machining (drilling, milling, flattening)
- 04
Material testing and quality control
- 05
Sample and test balls / delivery
Materials & Processes
Rolling bearing steel
Standard material for high-load balls in rolling bearings and automotive applications.
Stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304)
Corrosion-resistant stainless steel with good mechanical properties for versatile applications.
Stainless steel 1.4306 (AISI 304L)
Low-carbon stainless steel with increased corrosion resistance, including after welding processes.
Tungsten carbide (cemented carbide)
Very hard, wear- and corrosion-resistant cemented carbide for 1–30 mm balls in grade classes G3 to G500.
Pure titanium Ti2
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant material for titanium balls with 1–20 mm diameter.
Hastelloy C4 & C276
Nickel alloys with high strength as well as temperature and corrosion resistance for balls from 1–14 mm.
Ceramics
For precise, wear-resistant balls in technical applications.
Plastics
Lightweight, corrosion-free balls, among other things for food and household applications.
CNC machining of balls
Drilling, milling and flattening of balls for custom geometries.
Locations
Fulda
DEHeadquarters and production
- Lot size
- Mass production to small series
- Materials
- Steel, stainless steel, carbide, titanium, Hastelloy, ceramics, plastics
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing precision balls (mass production, over 4 billion balls per year)Forming | Grade classes G3 to G500 | – | – | – | Rolling bearing steel, corrosion-resistant steels, cemented carbides, titanium, ceramics, plastics |
| Manufacturing balls made of cemented carbide (tungsten carbide)Forming | Grade classes G3 to G500 | – | – | – | Tungsten carbide |
| Manufacturing titanium ballsForming | – | – | – | – | Pure titanium Ti2 |
| Manufacturing Hastelloy ballsForming | – | – | – | – | Hastelloy C4, Hastelloy C276 |
| CNC machining of balls (drilling, milling, flattening)Machining | – | – | – | – | Steel, stainless steel, plastics, ceramics, special materials |
| Small series and custom balls (special materials, all technically feasible ball sizes)Forming | – | – | – | – | Special materials of all kinds |
| Material testing and quality control (final inspection of every ball, 100 % batch cleanliness)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality & Certifications
Every ball undergoes a thorough final inspection; KGM guarantees 100 % batch cleanliness. Material testing and quality control ensure grade classes from G3 to G500.
| Evidence | Fulda |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| IATF 16949 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| Energy audit DIN EN 16247 | |
| AEO-C |
History
- 1913
Founding of the Kugelfabrik Walter Gebauer by Walter Gebauer and Thor Möller in Frankfurt am Main.
- 1919
Relocation to Fulda; renaming to Kugelfabrik Gebauer & Möller (KGM), introduction of the “Athlet” trademark, use of hydropower.
- 1933
Thor Möller leaves the company; Walter Gebauer takes over his duties.
- 1940
Wartime production of joint bearings for the aircraft industry with around 400 employees.
- 1945
War damage caused by the blasting of the Hornung Bridge; subsequent reconstruction.
- 1953
A major fire destroys large parts of the factory; rebuilding on 1,750 m².
- 1963
50th company anniversary with 300 employees.
- 1966
Death of the founder Walter Gebauer; sale to FAG Kugelfischer, new name Kugelfabrik Gebauer & Co. KG.
- 1972
Renaming to KGM Kugelfabrik Gebauer GmbH.
- 1981
Johannes L. Richter takes over the management.
- 2023
First sustainability report prepared in accordance with the VSME standard.