How to Extend the Life of Your Electroplated Grinding Wheel
CDT offers what’s called the “Strip and Replate” Program, designed to give our customers the highest quality grinding wheel abrasives for the longest time possible, in the most cost effective way for the customer (more on this in a moment)...
First, let’s cover when you’ll want to opt for this program, and how it works.
Stripping and replating a grinding wheel refers to the process of removing the old, worn-out abrasive material from the surface of a grinding wheel and replacing it with new abrasive material.
When customers opt in for this program, we work with you to create customized tooling that you will be able to use and then bring back to CDT for us to return it to “like new” condition after it begins to wear. This keeps your wheel fresh and performing at optimal levels without having to buy new.
When To Strip and Replate?
There are many reasons why you may need to replace your wheel with new abrasive, including:
The particles on the surface of your abrasive get clogged (potentially from metal shavings or debris from the grinding process)
Your wheel becomes dull from the worn out abrasive
You need to switch from grinding one material to another, and the new material requires a different type of abrasive to be put on your wheel
The grinding wheel has worn down unevenly, causing vibrations and reducing your wheel’s effectiveness
How Does The Process Work?
CDT is able to provide high quality strip and replate services through strip technology that will remove the remaining abrasive on your worn down wheel without damaging the surface finish of the core.
Electroplating involves depositing a thin layer of metal and abrasive particles onto the surface of a grinding wheel by using an electrical current in an electrolytic plating solution.
When a grinding wheel has reached its life, we remove the old abrasive material on your wheel by soaking the wheel in a chemical solution that will safely dissolve the deposited plating without damaging the integrity of the core.
Once the old deposit and abrasive have been removed, we apply a new layer of abrasive material through the electroplating process.
After the new abrasive material has been applied, the grinding wheel is re-balanced to ensure you continue to have smooth operation and optimal performance with your returned “like new” wheel.
When is An Electroplated Grinding Wheel The Best Choice?
Electroplated grinding wheels are considered the superior choice for applications that require complex shapes or geometries. Some specific applications include metal cutting tools, saw and knife sharpening, PCD grinding, and surgical tool blade sharpening – among others.
They’re used in a wide range of industries, including metalworking, woodworking, glass and ceramics, aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics manufacturing.
Common materials that are compatible with an electroplated diamond grinding wheel include:
Cemented carbide
Glass
Ceramics
Fiberglass
Plastics
And more
Whereas common materials that are compatible with an electroplated CBN grinding wheel include:
Die steel
Hardened carbon steels
Hardened stainless steels
Alloy steels
Aerospace alloys
And more
When you add in the ability to strip and replate, it makes electroplating a superior choice in many ways:
It provides a more consistent and uniform distribution of abrasive particles on the surface of your grinding wheel, which can help ensure consistent grinding results and prevent uneven wear in the future.
Electroplating creates a strong bond between the abrasive particles and the wheel substrate, which helps prevent the abrasive from separating or shedding from your wheel during use.
It can be used to apply a wide variety of abrasive materials, including diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), and various types of abrasive grains – and it can be used with both brittle materials and soft metals.
Stripping and replating an electroplated grinding wheel is a relatively quick and straightforward process because they are a single layer wheel. It also allows for precise control over the thickness of the abrasive layer, making it an ideal choice for achieving any customizations you may need for your wheel.
Electroplated wheels can withstand heavy use and provide consistent grinding performance. They don’t need to be reconditioned as frequently as other types of grinding wheels, making them a more cost-effective choice in the long run.
Overall, opting for an electroplated grinding wheel to be reconditioned and used again through the CDT “Strip and Replate” Program can result in 40% more in savings, with consistent performance results, rather than opting for brand new plated products.
If you’re ready to learn how CDT can work with you for a customized electroplated grinding wheel that qualifies for our “Strip and Replate” Program, click the button below to request a quote!
The CDT technical team is ready to provide abrasive solutions to your questions that will increase your performance while reducing waste.