Tyrolit WCE18 Wire Saw
18 kW water-cooled high-frequency electric wire saw with 15 m wire storage / 19 m gross length, 0–25 m/s variable speed, 354 kg main unit plus 113 kg control cabinet, for controlled dismantling of large buildings and reinforced concrete cutting.
WCE18 Seven-Dimension Rating
Ratings are based on official specifications, third-party field tests and engineer interviews, covering efficiency, accuracy, wire-break control, material compatibility, intelligence, energy saving and labor dependency.
WCE18 Specs & Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wire Speed Range | 0–25 m/s (steplessly adjustable) |
| Main Motor Power | 18 kW (18.5 kW water-cooled high-frequency motor, 32 A output) |
| Control System | 50/60 Hz / Electric control cabinet, 380–400 V / 50/60 Hz |
| Work Envelope | 19 m (gross wire length)/ 15 m wire storage / 19 m (gross wire length) / 15 m wire storage |
| Machine Weight | 354 kg (wire saw main unit) / 113 kg (control cabinet) |
| Dimensions | Main unit 1170 × 1810 × 760 mm; control cabinet 1240 × 730 × 750 mm (H×W×D) |
| Reference Price Range | Reference price on request |
WCE18 Editorial Review
Product Positioning: High-Power Electric Wire Saw for Controlled Large-Building Dismantling
The WCE18 is Tyrolit's electric wire saw for medium-to-large demolition projects, sitting between the modular WCU17 and the heavy-duty dual-motor WCE30. Its core task is controlled dismantling of large buildings and precise sectioning of reinforced-concrete and masonry structures.
Unlike the WCU17's quick-assembly modular concept, the WCE18 uses a fixed electric main unit plus separate control cabinet, better suited to stable work faces such as high-rise demolition, plant retrofitting, or partial chimney/bridge cutting.
Key Specs
The 18 kW (18.5 kW) water-cooled high-frequency motor can run continuously at high load with 32 A output; water cooling handles long duty cycles better than air cooling, reducing overheating risk. Variable speed from 0–25 m/s lets operators optimize wire speed for concrete strength, rebar density and wire type in real time.
15 m wire storage / 19 m gross wire length determines the cutting perimeter that can be set up in one pass, enough for small-to-medium building sections or long walls. The 354 kg main unit and 113 kg cabinet require a forklift or crane for placement, plus adequate space and a confirmed 380–400 V supply.
Cutting Performance and Material Compatibility
Efficiency 7.8 and material compatibility 7.2 are mid-to-high for electric wire saws. Large drive wheels increase wire-bending radius, and pneumatic tensioning maintains stable tension when switching between hard concrete, reinforced concrete and masonry.
Accuracy and wire-break control at 6.8 show it is more about cutting through than precision shaping. This is acceptable for demolition but insufficient for high-quality stone cutting. The intelligence score of 6.5 indicates manual/automatic feed control without CNC profiling.
Who It Suits: Large Demolition Contractors and Specialty Engineering Firms
The WCE18 suits contractors handling high-rise buildings, industrial plants, bridges and chimneys. The 18 kW power and 15 m wire storage cover most medium-to-large sections, and Tyrolit's global service and Swarovski Group backing add credibility in project bidding.
For frequent relocation, tight spaces or small-section cutting, the WCE18 main unit plus cabinet is heavy; the WCU17 or a compact Chinese hydraulic saw may be more economical.
Four Pre-Purchase Reminders
- Power and cabinet layout: confirm 380–400 V / 50/60 Hz supply and a weatherproof, dust-protected, accessible location for the 113 kg cabinet.
- Compare with WCE30/WCU17: choose WCE30 for more storage or dual-motor redundancy, WCU17 for quick assembly and light weight.
- Speed and tension parameters: although 0–25 m/s is published, recommended feed rates and tension pressures require a process sheet from the distributor.
- Service and spares: Tyrolit is strong in Europe and the Middle East; confirm local agents and common wear-part stocks elsewhere.
WCE18 Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
WCE18 Comparison
Compare WCE18 with other models in the same category to help you choose based on application and budget.
| Dimension | WCE18 This Model |
vs | WCU17 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Power
Main motor power
|
18 kW (18.5 kW water-cooled high-frequency motor, 32 A output)Baseline
|
vs |
Hydraulic drive (optional WSE1621 electric main drive kit)Better
|
|
Wire Speed
Wire speed / bead diameter
|
0–25 m/s (steplessly adjustable)Baseline
|
vs |
Not disclosed
|
|
Work Envelope
Maximum work envelope
|
19 m (gross wire length)/ 15 m wire storage / 19 m (gross wire length) / 15 m wire storageBaseline
|
vs |
12.6 m (derived structural size from wire storage)Worse
|
|
Precision
Industrial tolerance control
|
Not disclosedBaseline
|
vs |
Not disclosed
|
|
Axes
Number of interpolated axes
|
Not disclosedBaseline
|
vs |
Not disclosed
|
|
Weight
Machine weight
|
354 kg (wire saw main unit) / 113 kg (control cabinet)Baseline
|
vs |
86 kg (without guard) / 98 kg (with guard)Worse
|
|
Dimensions
Length × width × height
|
Main unit 1170 × 1810 × 760 mm; control cabinet 1240 × 730 × 750 mm (H×W×D)Baseline
|
vs |
1600 × 750 × 500 mm (H×W×D)Better
|
|
Control
CNC system and software
|
50/60 Hz / Electric control cabinet, 380–400 V / 50/60 HzBaseline
|
vs |
Hydraulic / expandable electric module
|
About Tyrolit
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Schwaz, Austria, Tyrolit is a global leader in abrasives, diamond tools and construction-industry system solutions under the Swarovski Group. It operates 29 production sites in 11 countries and sells to 140+ countries with 500+ patents. Tyrolit's wire saws are designed for demolition, bridge dismantling and reinforced-concrete/steel cutting (WCU17, WCE18, WCE30, SB/SB-E/SB ATEX, CCH25, CCE25), not for stone quarrying, block squaring or CNC profiling applications.
WCE18 Buyer FAQ
The WCE18 is mainly for controlled dismantling of reinforced concrete, masonry, brickwork and large building structures. By adjusting wire speed and diamond-wire type it can also cut concrete sections containing steel.
The WCU17 is a modular, lightweight hydraulic wire saw emphasizing quick assembly and portability for frequent relocation and small-section cutting. The WCE18 is a fixed high-power electric wire saw with a main unit plus control cabinet, suited to stable work faces and large-building demolition. Choose based on project scale, power supply and relocation frequency.
The WCE30 is the heavy-duty version of the WCE18, using dual water-cooled motors totaling 37 kW, 25 m wire storage and a 544 kg main unit for extra-large structures such as bridges, chimneys and foundations. The WCE18 has 18 kW, 15 m storage and a 354 kg main unit for medium-to-large buildings. Both share the same control concept and speed range.
Tyrolit's website typically publishes core parameters in product flyers (power, wire storage, speed, weight). More detailed feed rates, tension pressures and process recommendations require a full datasheet from the distributor, consistent with the European practice of keeping some process data with sales/technical support.
The WCE18 comes with a separate control cabinet requiring 380–400 V / 50/60 Hz and 32 A output. Before installation, calculate on-site electrical capacity, cable sizing and distance from cabinet to main unit to avoid overheating during long high-load runs.
The WCE18 is a mobile/semi-stationary demolition machine and does not need a dedicated concrete foundation, but it requires a stable, level work platform and a reliable lifting plan. The 354 kg main unit and 113 kg cabinet need a forklift or crane.
Focus on the water-cooled motor cooling circuit, pneumatic tensioning pressure stability, diamond-wire wear and splice condition, guide-wheel bearings, and control-cabinet cooling and terminal tightness. Replace wear parts according to the manufacturer's schedule.
Comparable electric demolition wire saws include the Husqvarna CS 2512 (hydraulic), BRAUN SSP15 and several Chinese brands. The WCE18's strengths are Austrian manufacturing, variable speed and compatibility with Tyrolit diamond wires and the modular system; consider other options if budget is limited or hydraulic drive is preferred.
WCE18 Buying Recommendation
The Tyrolit WCE18 is an 18 kW electric wire saw for controlled large-building dismantling.
Its 0–25 m/s variable speed and 15 m wire storage keep it efficient in reinforced-concrete and masonry cutting. For contractors seeking a European brand with stable power and large demolition projects, the WCE18 is a cost-effective choice. But for stone processing, frequent relocation or confined spaces, consider the WCU17, WCE30 or comparable Chinese models.
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