Displaying items by tag: wheels

Wednesday, 05 February 2020 16:06

Buffing wheels offer consistent finishes

February 5, 2020 - Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Worcester, Massachusetts, announced the introduction of its new, innovative Norton FAB (Fixed Abrasive Buff) buffing wheels that virtually eliminate the need to use buffing compounds. Norton FAB wheels feature a patent pending design which incorporates abrasive grains into the buffing wheel and consistently results in excellent single digit Ra values ranging from 1 to 5 Ra. The new Norton FAB wheels are tear resistant, waterproof and durable, providing significantly longer life than traditional cotton buffs.

"In addition to virtually eliminating the need for messy buffing compounds, new Norton FAB wheels increase productivity by generating more parts per buff with fewer buffing wheel changes," said Anne Bonner, Sr. Product Manager, Norton | Saint-Gobain Abrasives. "Also, their superior finishing performance can remove costly, extra pre-buff processing steps."

Due to significantly decreasing the need for buffing compound, Norton FAB wheels offer a more efficient, cleaner and safer way of buffing. There is less cumbersome, time consuming clean-up in buffing operations and post-clean-up processes. Without the requirements to purchase, apply, clean-up, and dispose of large amounts of compound, costs are minimized. Also, less buffing compound improves worksite safety and reduces the environmental impact of compound disposal.

Norton FAB wheels have a premium silicon carbide abrasive which is uniformly dispersed and applied to both sides of the cloth, resulting in more consistent buffing performance. Norton FAB wheels can be easily incorporated into new or existing robotic buffing applications.

Key applications for new Norton FAB wheels include automatic or semi-automatic buffing, cut buffing and mush buffing in a wide range of markets such as automotive, hardware, oil and gas and more. The new wheels are effective on hard alloys as well as soft metals such as aluminum and brass. Norton FAB Wheels are available in outer diameters from 5 in. to 22 in., in 12 or 16 ply (number of cloth layers of buff), 2 or 4 pack (waviness of the buff face) and various ID hole designs.

Published in Finishing

January 21, 2020 - Rex-Cut Abrasives, Fall River, Massachusetts, announces a new line of alumina zirconia grinding wheels for pipe welding applications, the Velocity Pipeliner and the Velocity Grinding Wheel.

Velocity Pipeliner is a rugged wheel designed to withstand the pressures of pipe beveling, smoothing flame cut edges, and root pass grinding in the oil and gas pipeline industry. The premium grain and hard bond blend give Velocity long life and excellent wheel performance on stainless steel and high tensile alloys.

A ¼ in. thick version, Velocity Grinding Wheel, is available for general fabrication applications such as heavy weld grinding, beveling hard steels, grinding casting parting lines, or removing weld deposits.

The Velocity Grinding Wheel has maximum stock removal rate balanced with extended wheel life on stainless steel and ferrous metals such as structural steel and iron. 

Velocity Pipeliner is available in alumina zirconia 30 grit in 4-1/2 in. by 5/32 in. by 7/8 in. and 4-1/2 in. by 5/32 in. by 5/8-11. Velocity Grinding Wheel is available in alumina zirconia 24 grit in 4-1/2 in. by 1/4 in. by 7/8 in. and 4-1/2 in. by 1/4 in. by 5/8-11.

Published in Abrasives

January 9, 2018 - Weiler Abrasives, Cresco, Pennsylvania, has expanded its offering of small diameter cutting and snagging wheels for high-speed die grinders to include Tiger® AO, Tiger Zirc and Tiger Ceramic. These 2- to 4-inch diameter wheels are designed for long life and fast cutting and join the Wolverine™ value wheels already offered in this category. The 38 item-expansion provides end users in the metal fabrication and ship building industry with increasing levels of cutting performance to meet their needs. Weiler Abrasives will offer the Tiger wheels with 1/4- and 3/8-inch arbor hole sizes.

Weiler’s Tiger AO cutting wheels feature an aluminum oxide grain and provide even, sharp, clean cuts along with a hard bond to extend wheel life when cutting steel. Like the Wolverine wheels, Tiger AO wheels are available in thicknesses of .035, 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 inch.

Weiler Abrasives is offering its high-performance Tiger Zirc cutting wheels in .035-inch thickness. These wheels feature sharp, aggressive zirconia alumina grains that retain a high cut rate throughout the life of the wheel, making them an ideal choice for cutting steels, including structural and cast iron.

For maximum cutting performance, even on stainless steel and hard-to-grind metals, the Tiger Ceramic cutting wheels provide superior life. The self-sharpening grains reduce discoloration by cutting at lower temperatures with less friction and require less effort to use, minimizing operator fatigue. The wheels are available in 1/16-inch thickness.

Weiler Abrasives’ small diameter wheel offering also includes Type 1 Tiger AO and Wolverine AO snagging wheels for die grinders, as well as Type 27 Tiger AO wheels.  This expansion builds on Weiler Abrasives’ offering for die grinders, which includes Tiger Bobcat™ Mini Flap Discs, flap wheels, blending discs and wire end brushes.

Weiler Abrasives
Cresco, Pennsylvania
800/835-9999

Published in Abrasives

December 18, 2018 - Rex-Cut Abrasives, Fall River, Massachusetts, announces the Aluminator, a new solution to Aluminum Grinding that prevents clogging and loading.

Typically when grinding aluminum, bonded wheels overheat the metal causing chips of aluminum to embed right into the grinding wheel, this is commonly referred to as clogging or loading. Eventually there will be no grit exposed, only deposits of aluminum on the face of the wheel. Normally a wax or grinding aid would be necessary to prevent this issue, but that is no longer the case.

Rex-Cut’s new Aluminator T27 Cotton Fiber Grinding Wheel grinds aluminum without any clogging or loading. Cotton Fiber Wheels naturally break down as heat is generated, resulting in constant sharp grit being exposed to the aluminum work piece. This eliminates loading, costly downtime, and the need and expense for wax or grinding aids. The Aluminator offers increased grinding action, greatly improved surface finishing, smooth operator control, and long life. With less noise, less vibration, and safer operating conditions; the Aluminator T27 Cotton Fiber Grinding Wheel is assured to make your Aluminum grinding experience smooth.

“One complaint we hear from fabricators working with aluminum is the need to take extra time to thoroughly clean lubricant residue from work surfaces after grinding. This happens from either grinding aids added to structure of the abrasive product, or waxes used in conjunction with grinding wheels,” states Jon Blake, R&D Manager. “When we designed this wheel, we kept in mind the need for an aluminum grinding wheel that will grind fast and consistent while being 100% lubricant free. This allows fabricators to grind and move on to the next step without stopping to clean their work piece.”

The Aluminator is now available in 4.5 in., 5 in., and 7 in. diameters, in 36 grit.

Published in Abrasives
Friday, 14 September 2018 14:48

Flap discs for aluminum blending and finishing

September 14, 2018 - Walter Surface Technologies, Windsor, Connecticut, has introduced a new, innovative, and powerful abrasive for aluminum blending and finishing, the Enduro-Flex ALU™ flap disc.

The Enduro-Flex ALU™ flap disc was developed to overcome the challenges that come with working with heat-sensitive metals such as aluminum and other non-ferrous alloys. Aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio has long made it a smart choice due to the alloy’s lightweight properties, corrosion-resistance and other practical benefits. Yet, when it comes to blending and finishing, there’s a different story for metalworkers on the shop floor.

Enduro-Flex ALU™ flap discs are specially formulated to maximize performance and drive productivity. Iron-free, sulfur-free and chlorine-free, Enduro-Flex ALU™’s superior zirconia alumina grain blend optimizes blending and finishing performance on virtually any aluminum surface. Backed by the highest removal rate in the industry and superior performance on non-ferrous alloys and heat-sensitive metals, Enduro-Flex ALU™ will deliver a consistent finish without discoloration every time.

Enduro-Flex ALU™’s special coating prevents load-up and glazing – key features that extend disc life and help cut shop-floor costs. Metalworkers will also appreciate Walter’s proprietary Eco-Trim™ trimmable backing, which can triple disc life for even greater savings.

“The science and deep industry knowledge behind Enduro-Flex ALU™ flap discs is exceptional, and has all of the key features as the industry-leading Enduro-Flex™ flap disc,” explains Jonathan Douville, Senior Product Manager - Surfox, Finishing & Tooling. “Outstanding removal rates, longevity and resistance to glaze build-up make Enduro-Flex ALU™ the optimal choice for enhanced quality, safety and productivity when working with aluminum.”

Industry-optimized, Enduro-Flex ALU™ flap discs offer versatility and outstanding performance in automotive, aerospace, naval and other sector-specific applications.

“Enduro-Flex ALU™ is simply a high-performance, long-lasting and productivity-enhancing flap disc,” says Douville. “It’s the ultimate blending and finishing tool that helps our customers work better.”

Enduro-Flex ALU™ discs are available in 4 1/2”, 5”, 6” and 7” diameter sizes with grit values of 40, 60 and 80. RPM ratings range from 8,600 to 13,300. Spend more time getting the job done and less time making trips to the tool crib with Enduro-Flex ALU™ – the longest lasting flap disc in the industry that removes more material than any competitive flap disc.

Walter Surface Technologies
Windsor, Connecticut
860/298-1100

Published in Flap Wheels
Wednesday, 12 September 2018 14:20

Tiger wheels built for biggest challenges

September 12, 2018 - Get the most demanding jobs done right and done fast with abrasives designed with your biggest challenges in mind. Whether you’re looking for serious stock removal on hard to grind metals, working with aluminum, or performing precise cuts on thin metal, Tiger Ceramic, Aluminum, and UltraCut wheels will get it done for you.

  • Tiger Aluminum wheels are specifically designed for high performance cutting and grinding on aluminum. These wheels blend abrasive grains with Weiler’s non-loading formula, resulting in a fast and consistent cut rate on aluminum.
  • Tiger Ceramic wheels leverage a self-sharpening Ceramic Alumina grain that delivers a superior combination of life and cut rate.  Ideal for stainless steel and other hard-to-grind metals.
  • UltraCut 1mm cutting wheels deliver lightning fast, super smooth, clean cuts on sheet metal, tubes, profiles, and small cross-section rods.

Weiler Corp.
Cresco, Pennsylvania
570/595-7495

Published in Abrasives
Tuesday, 21 August 2018 13:36

Cut-off wheels offer fast cutting

August 21, 2018 -  Saint-Gobain Abrasives has introduced its new Norton QUANTUM3™ RightCut Wheels, adding cut-off capability to its Norton QUANTUM3™ (NQ3) line which also includes Depressed Center Grinding Wheels and Combination Wheels. FABTECH 2018 attendees can see the entire Norton NQ3 Grinding Wheels Line at Booth #C11110 at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, November 6 - 8.

In comparison tests, NQ3 RightCut Wheels have several key benefits over competitive wheels. True to the Norton Quantum3 technology, and its previously released NQ3 wheels, the new Norton Quantum3 RightCut wheels are designed with the operator in mind. It boasts a more rounded grain than precision-shaped ceramic grains found in the market today. Being rounded allows for faster cutting action, with less vibration, which is instrumental in reducing operator fatigue when cutting metal all day.

When working on thinner materials, or in the case where operators need to get the job done quickly, the 0.045"NQ3 RightCut wheel is ideal. Due to the proprietary grain, the wheel easily cuts through the workpiece quickly, increasing efficiency and saving time. 

"The bond system of the NQ3 technology allows for better mix control during the manufacturing process. This better mix keeps the individual grains from clumping together, for a more even wear of the cut-off wheel," said Alicia Castagna Ph.D., Norton |Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Product Manager Thin Wheels. This  is also true with the 1/16 in. NQ3 RighCut wheels when cutting thicker materials. Longer life translates to more productivity, keeping the operator working smarter, not harder.

The Norton Quantum3 line of RightCut wheels are offered in four Type 01/41 and three Type 27/42 cutting application SKU’s. All products are currently in stock. These wheels are available in 4-1/2 in., 5 in. and 6 in. are made in the USA.

Norton | Saint-Gobain
Worcester, Massachusetts
254/918-2313

Published in Abrasives
Tuesday, 24 July 2018 20:08

Fine balance

Ensure abrasive wheels live up to value standards

Published in Abrasives
Wednesday, 13 June 2018 16:40

Abrasive discs transform grinding operations

June 13, 2018 -  Walter Surface Technologies, Windsor, Connecticut, has unveiled its new ErgoFlex™ abrasive disc—a safer, more ergonomic, equally powerful alternative to traditional grinding wheels.

Combining a type 29 disc design and Walter’s proprietary Cyclone™ technology, ErgoFlex™ is designed for extremely smooth weld blending on both flat and curved surfaces. It allows for a more comfortable working angle than type 27 depressed center grinding wheels, along with cleaner, quieter grinding operations. With an aggressive 36 grit or higher abrasive grain blend, ErgoFlex™ removes material fast with minimal gouging risk.

“For manufacturing professionals looking to balance safety, ergonomics, and productivity, ErgoFlex™ is the perfect solution,” says Marc Brunet-Gagné, Product Manager of Bonded Abrasives at Walter Surface Technologies. “ErgoFlex™ offers the same power and speed as traditional grinding wheels, but with 95% less dust, 50% less noise, 50% less vibrations, and better ergonomics. It’s also less likely to gouge materials, thus increasing efficiency and cost savings."

Designed for heavy manufacturing, pipeline construction, metal fabrication, and other industrial needs, ErgoFlex™ is suitable for use in a wide range of grinding operations including grinding welded steel and stainless steel, heavy grinding, weld removal, and beveling.

Walter Surface Technologies
Windsor, Connecticut
860/298-1100
www.walter.com

Published in Abrasives
Tuesday, 13 March 2018 19:51

High-performance abrasive wheels

Tiger Ceramic wheels have ceramic grains that self-sharpen at a higher rate than other grains. The result is a higher material removal rate, faster cutting speeds, cooler grinding and reduced friction at less pressure. Lower temperature and less friction reduces heat discoloration of the workpiece and translates to a smoother cut and less kickback during operation.

Weiler Abrasives Group
Cresco, Pennsylvania
800/835-9999

Published in Grinding & Polishing
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