Hybrid Slipper Technology

If the roller is the heart of the extrusion process, the slipper is the soul. It provides the final aesthetic finish, the surface density, and the exact dimensional profile of the roof tile. At WELSCH, we have moved beyond standard cast-iron or basic steel slippers to create a hybrid multi-material system designed for the most abrasive production environments on Earth.

The main body of our slipper is crafted from Wolfram-alloyed tool steel. This is a piece of high-precision instrumentation, engineered to maintain its geometric profile through millions of cycles against the relentless abrasion of concrete. Through-hardened in a vacuum to ensure absolute structural integrity and zero internal stresses, every slipper is finished with micron-level accuracy on our precision grinders to ensure a mirror surface that translates into a flawless tile sheen.

The last 50 mm of the slipper in the direction of ribbon flow, the exit zone, is where the concrete exerts its maximum pressure and abrasive force. We equip our slippers with a substantial, precision-fitted tungsten carbide insert at the exit edge. Tungsten carbide is nearly as hard as diamond, ensuring that the critical tail-end of the slipper maintains its razor-sharp profile for millions of cycles longer than steel alone. Because this is a modular insert, it can be replaced or refurbished without discarding the entire Wolfram steel body, offering a significant reduction in long-term Tooling Cost of Ownership.

While the main slipper handles the surface, our side slippers define the complex interlock geometry. Engineered to work in perfect harmony with the waterchannel side rollers, these components iron the edges of the tile to ensure a waterproof, airtight fit between tiles. For the most extreme environments, we offer slippers clad with tungsten carbide inserts across the entire main contour.