True Blue Performance in Conventional Grinding
When you’re looking for ways to improve grinding performance, the ultimate factor comes down to value: how can you get the precision and efficiency you need while managing costs? That’s where advanced conventional abrasives often excel.
With certain applications, classic abrasives like silicon carbide and aluminum oxide deliver strong results at a lower upfront investment compared to superabrasives. For shops that don’t require the extreme speeds or precision of diamond and CBN, conventional wheels remain a smart, cost-effective choice.
While these wheels haven’t changed much in a hundred years, a few innovators are pushing the boundaries with scientifically engineered abrasive grains. One next-generation solution is the Blue Moon™ TZ high-performance grinding wheel from Krebs & Riedel, designed to bring greater efficiency, precision, and consistency to your process. Watch this video or read the following article to learn more.
Features and Benefits of Blue Moon™ TZ
Continental Diamond Tool is proud to bring to its customers the Blue Moon™ TZ, which represents the next evolution in the Blue Moon product line developed by the R&D team at Krebs & Riedel. This conventional grinding wheel incorporates a precision-shaped trapezoid abrasive grain that delivers maximum performance through high cutting efficiency, low thermal load, and outstanding profile retention.
Designed to perform under long contact lengths and demanding applications, the Blue Moon TZ offers:
Very low risk of overheating while grinding
High removal rates leading to short grinding times
Self-sharpening abrasive grain for consistent performance
Extended dressing intervals for improved wheel life
Reduced cost per unit through higher efficiency
Applications range from deep pass and centerless grinding to raceway and profile grinding of large gear modules. It is a versatile solution across aerospace, automotive, agricultural engineering, wind energy, hydraulics, and bearing production.
Blue Moon TZ’s Proven Performance
At the United Grinding Precision Summit in July 2025, Continental Diamond Tool was happy to bring this innovative wheel technology to the North American market. During a live demonstration on the Studer S33 cylindrical grinder, the Blue Moon™ TZ wheel was put to the test on steel specimens commonly used for tensile strength testing. This setup allowed attendees to see first-hand how the wheel handles demanding applications such as thread grinding where precise form and surface finish are critical. As the S33 shaped these test specimens, the Blue Moon™ TZ delivered stable performance with reduced heat build-up, extended form retention, and consistent results over long grinding passes.
At the event, CDT Senior Application Engineer Paul Christy shared his perspective on why this technology stands out:
“The Precision Summit has been exciting. Many people have been asking questions, and we’ve had some great customer engagement,” says Paul. “We’re running Blue Moon technology. It has a ceramic-shaped grain, specifically formulated for the steel grinding that they were doing here.”
During his presentation, Paul emphasized that the benefits translate directly to shop-floor productivity:
“The Blue Moon technology gives us lower power consumption and better form retention. In this application, where we’re holding thread forms, the wheel provides excellent life and the consistent form retention required to grind threads.”
The Practical Advantage of conventional abrasive grinding wheels
For many manufacturers, conventional abrasives like the Blue Moon™ TZ offer a cost-effective solution with impressive productivity gains. Grinding shops benefit from high removal rates, reduced thermal load, and extended dressing intervals, all of which help shorten cycle times and improve efficiency.
At CDT, we work with customers to match the right wheel to the right process. While superabrasive wheels made of diamond or CBN deliver the highest levels of performance and longevity, there are certain applications where the cost-per-part savings of superabrasives don’t fully materialize. In these cases, conventional options like the Blue Moon™ TZ strike the right balance between performance and upfront investment.
With lower power consumption, reliable form retention, and strong economic efficiency, the Blue Moon™ TZ demonstrates just how far conventional abrasives have advanced. For applications from raceway grinding to large gear profiles, it’s a proven solution that helps manufacturers achieve results while managing costs.
See us Live at Motion + Power 2025
Manufacturers looking to explore the benefits of advanced conventional abrasives will have the opportunity to see CDT’s solutions first-hand at Motion + Power Technology Expo 2025. This event marks our first major showcase of Krebs & Riedel products since becoming their exclusive North American partner, as well as our public debut in the gear grinding market. On display will be the Blue Moon™ TZ alongside other Krebs & Riedel products and CDT’s Vitrified CBN wheels and Diamond Rotary Dressers, giving attendees a chance to see the full range of solutions we provide for gear and precision grinding applications.
Join us at Motion + Power 2025 to talk with our engineering team, see how our investment in the Burri PM550T enables precise custom profiling, and learn how CDT is helping manufacturers achieve faster turnaround, consistent results, and better overall grinding performance.
our Commitment to Excellence
At Continental Diamond Tool, we’re committed to helping customers choose the best abrasive solution—whether it’s conventional wheels like the Blue Moon™ TZ or our world-leading superabrasives—so you get the right balance of performance, precision, and long-term value.
We take pride in delivering not only advanced products but also outstanding customer service. Reach out by phone, email, or web form to learn how Blue Moon™ TZ can support your process. Contact us today.
