Grinding Techniques – Your premium metal fabrication partner

12th May 2022

Grinding Techniques – Your premium metal fabrication partner

Since the beginning of time, man found value in utilising various materials to produce products related to self-sustainability. These materials evolved over time as technology and expertise increased, right from the humble beginnings of the copper age to the current highly sophisticated alloy age. As technology and manufacturing methods advanced, iron and iron tools became cheaper and stronger than their bronze counterparts, with further advancement that led to super-alloys being lighter and stronger than ever before.

Casting is one of the oldest forms of metal manufacturing since the Bronze Age, and still very prevalent today. It involves melting and pouring of metals into molds in usable forms and shapes. Similarly metal fabrication has not changed much over the years although it has become much more efficient.

When casting metal the process leaves residue risers which need to be removed. Abrasive cutting discs that will not contaminate the casting, or riser, are the best option for this application. With more fabricating applications requiring specialised alloys, abrasive manufacturers have had to develop more advanced abrasive products to deal with these special steels. Grinding Techniques manufactures various abrasive products locally for the metal industry, be it for primary or secondary metal manufacturing.

High chrome castings are susceptible to heat damage from grinding. A great example of a specialised abrasive solution for these heat sensitive metals is the Superflex Ceramic angle grinding discs, designed to remove material and provide a cool grinding application to ensure reduced heat build-up in order to avoid micro-cracking in castings.

Another metal manufacturing process is by forming heated metal into desired shapes using forced compression, typically referred to as forging. This process is still widely used in black- and bladesmithing, as well as artistic fields, as well as the industrial fabrication of tools and parts, like the manufacturing of blades and knives. Layers of metals are hot forged to create patterned, or “Damascus” type steel. With this process, contamination is the major risk in a forge weld. Superflex coated abrasive sanding belts are designed to grind metals, while removing surface contaminants, like mill scale and oxidation, thereby eliminating this risk. A second type of forging is die forging where heated metal is pressed into a die to form the shape. Superflex mounted points and Hi-Glo polishing points are designed to give the optimal ground surface finish on these dies.

A further process, known as subtractive shaping, is referred to as machining. Once a part has been cast or forged, it may need further milling, turning, or grinding to achieve its final form. Machining can also include the refurbishing or remanufacturing of components. Apart from providing a wide range of grinding application solutions, Grinding Techniques also designs and manufactures abrasive grinding wheels and segments for a range of precision grinding applications, like surface, cylindrical, centerless, internal, and automotive grinding, including gear, crankshaft, or flat component grinding.  We are also able to supply custom solutions to almost any machining application with both diamond and CBN wheels available in various configurations.

Another key fabrication technique that is often seen as simple, or insignificant, and sometimes the only application in some projects, is cutting. This can be done by means of laser, water-jet, plasma, or abrasive cutting discs. Whatever process is used, a clean and accurate cut will be required to ensure precision in the finished product. An important point to consider is contamination risks.  Abrasive discs are not only available in various derivatives, but also specifically manufactured for applications on specific materials. Superflex cutting discs provide a cleaner cut with less burr formation and reduced heat generation on application, which eliminates the need for further finishing.

Our range includes different tiers, with the industrial and professional perfectly suited to mild steel, premium INOX Ultra for stainless steels, premium zirconium for alloyed steels and professional aluminium for non-ferrous applications.

Welding entails the joining of two or more pieces of metal, which, to be effective, requires proper surface preparation, with some retouching often required after a welding application.

Superflex abrasive flap wheels are ideal for grinding and finishing the area or material in preparation for welding. Once the welds have been completed, various products can be selected from our full range of non-woven abrasive products, which include flap discs, convolute and unitised wheels, hand pads and polishing soaps to create the ideal finish on mild, stainless and / or other steels.

Grinding Techniques, as a local manufacturer of specialised abrasive products, is perfectly positioned to assist with a custom abrasive offering to cater for your metal fabrication business.

Contact one of our application specialists today for a bespoke application solution.

Tel: +27 11 271 6400|E: info@grindtech.com | W: www.grindtech.com