LAB500 – Laboratory Core Saw
Laboratory Core Saw for Asphalt and Concrete samples
An innovative solution for cutting asphalt and concrete samples. LAB500 is designed with a focus on Safety, quality, precision, and user-friendliness.
Since the machine is built from the ground up for cutting samples, we’ve been able to make it very compact. With a protective enclosure, the machine is only 152x82cm in size and 172cm in height.
The machine is available with a single or double blade.
Three world-unique innovations are the foundation of the machine. Our sample holders, quick change system, and blade guard mounted on the rolling table. Learn more about all three below.
Customizable
We understand that every laboratory has its unique needs, which is why LAB500 is designed to be customizable. When you order LAB500, you have the opportunity to tailor the machine to your specific requirements.
You can choose between a single blade or double blades, different water supply options, protective enclosures, and blade guards, various sample holders, automatic or traditional cutting methods, different blade sizes, and motor options. Create your own unique LAB500 that perfectly suits your needs.
Core Sample Holders
The bottom radius perfectly fits the core samples from our asphalt core drills FAW. Standard sizes are for Ø100 and Ø150 samples. Once the sample is placed in the holder, it is securely locked with a rubber-coated aluminum bracket.
Besides safety, the most significant advantage of our holders is that the risk of the sample breaking at the bottom during cutting is eliminated. No more discarded samples that need to be re-drilled!
We have been manufacturing these holders for over 20 years and have improved them continuously. All materials are chosen to withstand water and residues from cutting.
Quick change system
We have developed a system with a rail mounted on a rolling table. Our core sample holders have four wheels to easily attach to the rail. After making the first cut, the holder is moved laterally, and the second cut can be made. The samples are always of consistent thickness and angle.
It’s easy to switch to a holder for other sample sizes. Just remove the holder entirely from the rail and attach another. It takes seconds.
Previously, all our lab saws were built with double, or sometimes even triple blades. To change the size of the cut sample, one had to unscrew the outer blade, clean the blades and spacers, move the spacers, and reassemble. Each core holder was also securely mounted on its own rolling table, so to switch to a holder for different diameters, one had to lift off the heavy rolling table and replace it with another.
Blade Guard on the Rolling Table
This feature is designed to protect your hands and fingers when changing the sample.
When working with a saw, it can be sensitive to come into contact with the blade. To minimize the risk of injuries, we have equipped the rolling table with a blade guard that effectively shields your hands. With this guard, you can work safely and securely with the machine, knowing that your hands are protected from potential hazards.
You don’t have to wait for the blade to stop before safely changing the sample. All this without having to open doors. Protection and ease of use is designed in from ground up!
Automatic Cutting
For an even smoother and more efficient workflow, we offer LAB500 in an automatic version. With a simple push of a button, you can start automatic cutting. The machine automatically adjusts speed and pressure to cut your samples as quickly as possible. Water is automatically turned on and off during cutting, making the process seamless and convenient. If you prefer not to be in the same room as the machine, the control panel can be mounted outside the door to avoid noise and dust.
Watch the video below when two Ø100 samples are cut in 47 seconds.
Quality Manufacturing
LAB500 is developed and manufactured in Robertsfors, Sweden, building on our 55+ years of industry experience. Since 1968, we have been producing machines, diamond blades, core drills, and accessories in our comprehensive manufacturing facility.
Our production facility combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technologies. The mechanical workshop houses everything from century-old keyway cutting machines that showcase our heritage, to cutting-edge equipment like laser welding systems. This unique blend of traditional and modern machinery allows us to maintain exceptional quality control while ensuring efficient production.
A standout feature of our facility is our complete powder coating plant, which includes integrated washing and surface treatment capabilities. This in-house surface finishing system enables us to maintain the highest standards of quality and durability in our product finishes, ensuring that each LAB500 not only performs exceptionally but also maintains its appearance over years of laboratory use.
By maintaining full control over our manufacturing process, from machining to surface treatment, we can ensure consistent quality and reliability across our entire product range. Our comprehensive manufacturing capabilities also allow us to respond quickly to custom requirements and maintain strict quality control at every step of production.
This commitment to manufacturing excellence, combined with our decades of industry experience, makes each LAB500 a testament to Swedish engineering quality and precision.
V-Shape Holder
Our innovative V-shape universal holder accommodates core drill samples ranging from 40mm to 150mm in diameter. The 90-degree V-configuration provides exceptional versatility for laboratories handling multiple core sizes. While this design doesn’t include the zero-breakage feature due to its V-shape configuration, it offers unparalleled flexibility for varying sample sizes.
The V-holder is very suitable for concrete laboratories handling a lot of customer specimens, since these often vary in diameter.
Cubic Specimen Holder
For concrete testing laboratories, we offer specialized cube sample holders accommodating both 100x100x100mm and 150x150x150mm samples. These holders feature precision alignment and secure clamping mechanisms, ensuring perfect 90-degree cuts while maintaining compatibility with our quick-change rail system.
Standard model is for cutting a 50mm sample from the center of the cube. This can be achieved either with a single blade Norddiamant LAB500 cutting machine or with a dual blade machine. The dual blade machine cuts the sample in one pass, the overall cycle time is around the same for single and dual blade machine though.
Frequently asked questions
What is the LAB500 and what is it used for?
The LAB500 is a laboratory core saw manufactured by Norddiamant in Sweden, designed specifically for cutting asphalt and concrete core samples. It produces parallel surfaces with precise thickness, making it suitable for deformation measurements and other material analyses. It is used by leading construction material laboratories at organizations.
What is the difference between the LAB500S and LAB500D?
The LAB500S is a single-blade version that uses a rail and locking-pin system to cut samples at fixed thicknesses of 30, 40, 50, or 60 mm in two passes. The LAB500D is a dual-blade version that cuts both parallel faces in one single pass by adjusting a shim stack between the two blades. If you frequently switch between different sample thicknesses, the single-blade version is often faster in daily use since changing the locking-pin position is quicker than adjusting the blade spacing.
What sample sizes can the LAB500 handle?
The LAB500 handles Ø100 mm and Ø150 mm round core samples, as well as prisms and cubes 100×100×100 mm or 150×150×150 mm. For laboratories handling varying core diameters, a universal V-holder accommodating 40–150 mm samples is available. For labs working with Ø200 mm samples, a version adapted for a 600 mm blade can be ordered.
Custom holders for special geometries can be designed and manufactured to your needs.
Can the LAB500 cut samples larger than Ø150 mm?
The standard LAB500 with a 500 mm blade is designed for samples up to Ø150 mm. For laboratories working with Ø200 mm cores, Norddiamant offers a version adapted for a 600 mm blade. Contact us directly for specifications.
Do I need to open a door or stop the blade to change samples?
No. The LAB500 features our special designed blade guard mounted directly on the rolling table, which protects the operator without requiring any doors to be opened or closed. This saves a lot of time per cut compared to fully enclosed machines, and the blade does not need to stop between sample changes.
How is the LAB500 installed?
The machine is delivered fully assembled. Most customers install it themselves by unpacking it from the pallet, placing it on a flat and stable surface, connecting the power supply (standard 16A CEE plug, 3P+N+E) and connecting a standard garden hose for water. Norddiamant provides free lifetime support via phone and video call. On-site installation by Norddiamant is also available, billed hourly plus travel expenses.
What are the electrical requirements for the LAB500?
The LAB500 requires a 400V, 3-phase, 50 Hz power supply connected via a standard 16A CEE plug (3P+N+E). The motor is 5.5 kW with IP54 protection and uses an automatic Y/D-start with emergency stop.
What water supply does the LAB500 need?
The LAB500 connects to a standard garden hose for fresh water supply. The water flow is adjustable and the machine includes integrated nozzles for blade cooling and dust suppression. Wastewater drains via a separate hose. An optional 200-litre recirculating water tank with sedimentation and pump is available for laboratories that cannot connect directly to a drain.
What is AutoCut and what does it do?
AutoCut is an optional automatic feeding system for the LAB500. It provides fully automatic linear feeding of the rolling table with consistent speed and adjustable force, and automatically starts and stops the cooling water. This increases productivity, repeatability and operator comfort compared to manual feeding. In recent years, the majority of LAB500 machines have been delivered with AutoCut included.
What are the practical benefits of AutoCut?
AutoCut allows the operator to stand further from the machine during cutting, reducing exposure to water splash, noise and dust from the material being processed. It also eliminates the common problem of the blade pulling the sample in the final millimetres of a cut, which can leave an unwanted edge on the sample. The system is controlled from a separate control panel, and can be adjusted wirelessly via a BLE (Bluetooth) interface accessible from a phone, tablet, or computer, so settings and monitoring can be done without standing next to the machine.
Can AutoCut be added to an existing LAB500, and can it be turned off?
Yes to both. AutoCut can be completely disabled by removing two bolts, so it does not affect the machine if you prefer manual feeding. It can also be retrofitted to an existing LAB500 at a later stage, but the machine must be shipped to Norddiamant for a factory installation, which takes approximately two weeks. If AutoCut is something you might want in the future, ordering it with the machine from the start is the more practical option.
How long is the delivery time for the LAB500?
Current production lead time is 12 weeks from confirmed order. A specific delivery week can be confirmed at the time of ordering.
What are the noise and vibration levels of the LAB500?
Using a standard (non-sound-dampened) blade, the LAB500 has a sound pressure level below 86 dB(A) (EN 11201) and a sound power level below 100 dB(A) (EN 3744). Vibration is below 2.5 m/s². Using a sound-dampened diamond blade, which Norddiamant recommends, reduces noise levels further for a more comfortable working environment.
What sample holders are available for the LAB500?
Standard holders include a Ø100 mm core holder, a Ø150 mm core holder, a universal V-holder for 40–150 mm diameters, and a cube holder for 150 mm cubes. All holders attach to the quick-change rail system in seconds. Custom holders for special sample geometries can be designed and manufactured by Norddiamant on request.
Where is the LAB500 manufactured and how long has Norddiamant been producing it?
The LAB500 is designed and manufactured entirely in Robertsfors, Sweden by Borraktiebolaget Norddiamant. The company has produced diamond tools and machinery since 1968, and the LAB500 has been continuously developed over more than two decades. All machining, welding, assembly, and powder coating are done in-house, giving full quality control at every step of production.
What safety features does the LAB500 have?
Full protective steel hood with polycarbonate windows.
Blade guard mounted directly on the sliding table (you never need to open the main hood to change samples)
Emergency stop button
Low-vibration design (< 2.5 m/s²)
Fully CE-certified according to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EG and other EU directives.
What maintenance does it need?
Maintenance is minimal: regular cleaning, check blade condition, and occasional belt adjustment. We provide full support and spare parts.
How do I change blades or adjust blade spacing on the LAB500D?
Blade change and shim adjustment (30/40/50/60 mm) takes a few minutes: remove the right polycarbonate window and blade guard, loosen the shaft nut with two 36 mm spanners, adjust the shims, and reassemble. Make sure to keep all parts clean. Detailed step-by-step instructions are in the manual. We recommend our sound-dampened 500 mm diamond blades.