Laser cutting of the base Solid (solid-blade) bar. The solid-blade bars or "solid bars" are specifically for the toughest professional requirements. Like all our guide bars, they are made of high-quality chromium-molybdenum steel and are suitable for the most demanding applications on high-end machines. For the manufacturing of solid bars we use production processes such as laser cutting, laser welding and high-speed grinding. These processes have replaced complex and costly machines based on earlier technologies and now ensure high-quality, good value and rationalized production.

What are the advantages of the solid bar, and what is the importance in production? About 30 % of our bars are solid and nose bars, mainly with a length of 90 cm. With a solid bar, you obtain greater stiffness then with a 3-part bar, which can be an advantage for certain applications. The solid bar does not have a nose sprocket. How do you ensure wear protection at the chain turn point? The nose of the guide bar has a special reinforcement made of stellite. This hard metal alloy is welded to the bar by a laser beam. This design is especially wear resistant. What is the production process? To ensure high product quality, STIHL works with tempered steel plates. The shape is cut out by laser, and the wear protection at the bar radius is laser welded. Then the groove is ground into the bar, and the chain track is induction hardened. My experience is that STIHL bars have an especially long life. Can you explain why? Basically, there are two decisive factors in the durability of our bars. Precise grinding of the groove into the solid material is one factor. Sufficient cooling during the grinding process is the other, otherwise the grain structure of
the material would be altered.