• Automated seat-to-ball lapping for metal-to-metal sealing
• Orbital movement with parameterized control of bidirectional rotation, pressure, speed, and oscillation
• Three versions: LM 800 (Ø300-800 mm, 8"-20"), LM 1200 (up to Ø1200 mm, 30"), LM 2400 (Ø750-2400 mm, 20"-64")
• Autonomous process operation, no continuous oversight required
• Variable-speed rotation for both ball and seat ring
• Quick clamping device for the seat ring
• PLC-regulated oscillation amplitude
• PLC-adjustable seat ring axial thrust: pneumatic (LM 800, LM 1200) or electrical (LM 2400)
• Dosing devices for diamond abrasive paste
• Perimeter guards compliant with safety standards
• Specific sizes available on demand

• Seat-to-ball lapping in metal-seated ball valve production
• Final sealing surface finishing after ball grinding
• Valve repair and overhaul requiring restored metal-to-metal tightness
• Third-party machining and service center operations
• Lapping of large valve pairings up to 64"

• Oil & gas and pipeline valve manufacturing
• Petrochemical and refining
• Power generation
• Valve repair and service centers
• Precision mechanics and third-party machining

In a metal-seated ball valve, tightness depends on how precisely the seat mates with the ball. Manual lapping of this pairing is slow and operator-dependent. The LM Mirror automates it: an orbital movement with fully parameterized control of bidirectional rotation, pressure, speed, and oscillation lets the operator set and repeat the exact lapping conditions each valve pairing requires.

Both ball and seat ring rotate at variable speed, and the oscillation amplitude is regulated by PLC. The seat ring mounts on a quick clamping device, and its axial thrust against the ball is PLC-adjustable: pneumatic on the LM 800 and LM 1200, electrical on the LM 2400. Dosing devices manage diamond abrasive paste during the cycle, and perimeter guards keep the process compliant with machine safety standards.

The result is a consistent seat-to-ball mating that supports metal-to-metal sealing verification downstream, whether in new valve production or in repair and overhaul work. As with all CMA Tec machines, specific sizes are engineered on demand and each system is built and tested in-house in Italy before installation.

Specific sizes available on demand.

What is the difference between the LM Mirror versions?
The working range: the LM 800 handles balls from 300 mm (8") to 800 mm (20") external diameter, the LM 1200 up to 1200 mm (30"), and the LM 2400 from 750 mm (20") to 2400 mm (64"). Specific sizes outside these ranges are available on demand.

Why automate ball valve lapping? Manual lapping is slow and depends on operator skill. The LM Mirror controls rotation, pressure, speed, and oscillation as set parameters, so the same lapping conditions can be repeated valve after valve, supporting consistent metal-to-metal tightness.

How is the abrasive applied? The machine includes four dosing devices for diamond abrasive paste, allowing different paste grades to be managed during the lapping cycle.

Does the LM Mirror work with the Diamond grinding machine? Yes, they cover consecutive steps of the same process: the Diamond grinds the ball's sealing surface, the LM Mirror laps the seat to the ball for final metal-to-metal mating. Many production and repair lines use both.

Is the machine customizable? Yes. CMA Tec builds each machine on order and can engineer specific sizes and configurations on demand, based on the data collected in the Mirror Questionnaire.

Summary

CMA Tec LM Mirror is an automated ball valve lapping machine that laps the seat to the ball to guarantee metal-to-metal sealing. Three versions cover ball diameters from 300 mm (8") to 2400 mm (64"), with orbital movement, parameterized control of rotation, pressure, speed and oscillation, and autonomous operation once set. Machines are custom-built in Italy. In North America, LM Mirror machines are available through AV-TEK Consulting, which manages configuration and quoting.