Grind Talk: How CDT Improves Grinding Performance for Customers

At Continental Diamond Tool, we’re passionate about crafting custom superabrasive grinding solutions—and turning that passion into a competitive edge for our customers. Last month, we sat down with several of our engineers to capture their real-world experiences: how CDT teams up with customers to solve tough grinding issues fast and deliver results that truly move the needle. Watch the video or keep reading below.

Real Stories of CDT Problem-Solving

In a series of interviews, our engineers discussed what true partnership and problem-solving look like at CDT—whether it’s answering a midnight call or collaborating on a process fix that slashes scrap. These are the highlights.

Driving Scrap Reduction Through Collaboration

CDT Vice President of Research and Development Jack Shindle has known Continental Diamond Tool not just as a workplace, but as a trusted partner.

“Every place I’ve worked, I’ve been part of the innovation team,” begins Jack. “My previous employer was actually a customer of Continental Diamond Tool. I used CDT resin bond, metal bond, and plated wheels to grind ceramic components—both in the green state and after firing. At that time, I collaborated with CDT engineers on a grinding process. Through our work — and some innovative fixture design — we were able to drop the scrap rate by 25%.”

Our engineering team still works closely with customers to fine-tune wheel specs and process changes, avoiding off-the-shelf fixes in favor of custom collaboration for their unique problem.

Going the Extra Mile for Customers

Andrew Olvera knows what it’s like to be on the other end of that late-night support line. Before joining CDT, he relied on our team whenever his own production hit a snag.

“When I worked for an OEM machine manufacturer, CDT stood out because they were always there for me,” remembers Andrew. “If I had a call in the middle of the night, my application engineer would answer the phone. My salesperson was there the next day. They were always there to help me through thick and thin.”

Today, Andrew pays that forward—fielding customer calls around the clock and coordinating rapid-response solutions so our partners never miss a beat.

Building Trusted Connections

Zeb Domer first experienced CDT’s commitment long before he joined our team. Working for a customer, he saw firsthand how our people and products stood up under pressure.

“In my previous job, we actually used Continental Diamond Tool’s grinding wheels, and that's where I became familiar with the company's integrity and the quality of their product,” recalls Zeb Domer, Resin Bond Product Line Manager at CDT. “Anytime we ran into a situation, Continental Diamond Tool was just a phone call away. You really felt that personal connection, knowing they had your back if any issue arose.”

Now as our Resin Bond Product Line Manager, Zeb brings that level of trust to every conversation—treating customers as true partners, not just orders to be filled.

Commitment to Performance, Delivery, and Innovation

Across every interaction, CDT’s engineers live by the simple truths that customers expect: on-time delivery and uncompromised performance. As Jack Shindle puts it,

“The two things customers want is they want you to be on time and they want you to have equal or better performance. We talk about on-time performance or on-time delivery every day.”

It’s not just about meeting today’s challenges—it’s about the genuine passion of our people to invest time, resources, and energy into what’s important. As Andrew Olvera reminds us,

“Everyone here is very passionate about their product line and the namesake of CDT—from the owner expanding our facility to the engineering department being at your call to help you develop new tooling.”

And the best part? We’re only getting started. In Jack’s words,

“I think we’re just starting to scratch the surface on what we’ll be able to achieve in the markets that we’re either currently serving or looking to serve.”

That passion and drive ensure every solution we deliver is backed by both expertise and a genuine commitment to long-term partnership and success. Our engineers—Jack, Andrew, and Zeb—have been in your shoes as customers themselves, so we know exactly what it takes to keep production running. Ready for our team to help you with your grinding process improvements?

📞 Contact us today to see how CDT can help push your production capabilities further.

Call us at 800-443-6629 or visit cdtusa.net to get started.