Why Choose Continental Diamond Tool?

There are a lot of reasons to consider Continental Diamond Tool, but the top three reasons customers choose CDT are our high level of service, quality, and consistency.

Quality is the highest priority at CDT. We’re ISO Certified, with checks and balances in place to make sure each tool is the highest quality, every time.

Consistency means repeatability, so your tool is the same from one order to the next. You don’t deviate in your usage, so we have to nail it every time, with the tightest tolerances.

CDT has made customer service a main focus. Jeff Turner, Inside Sales, says, “It’s a priority that I take very seriously. Each customer should feel like they’re our biggest one.”

If you’re wondering why CDT, reach out to us. We will follow up so you can see if we can meet your needs, including our Grinding Lab, where we can show you first hand the benefits that you can get from our tooling.

Learn more about the reasons CDT is committed to you here:

Consort Precision Diamond Featured in British Chambers of Commerce Case Study

We are pleased to share with you that Consort Precision Diamond Co Ltd has been featured in a case study by the British Chambers of Commerce. The case study has been published on the British Chambers of Commerce website and shared on their social media channels. Here is an excerpt from the article:

The Consort team is immensely proud of their geographically-diverse portfolio of customers, with the export side of their business expanding rapidly. They currently export to over 20 countries worldwide, covering Europe, USA, Canada, South America, and the Far East.

During 2019 and 2020, their international trade accounted for 51% and 63% of their turnover respectively, and 2021 figures indicate that the export side of the business will account for 70% of their revenue. Brazil, Mexico, and USA are amongst the company’s largest markets, followed by Europe.

Click here to read the full article detailing Consort's exports strategy.

In addition, Consort is proud to have been nominated regionally in the 2022 Chamber Business Awards for their exports. We would like to congratulate the award winner, Metalfacture Ltd, who has been recognized as the British Chamber of Commerce National Global Player Export Business of the Year.

Consort has also been nominated for the WCNW Chamber Business Awards in Export & International Trade. The winner for that award will be announced at the ceremony on the 11th of November.

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Consort Precision Diamond Company, a subsidiary of Continental Diamond Tool Corporation since 2018, is based in North Wales. They are a manufacturing specialist dedicated to the production of diamond rotary dressers, a complimentary product to CDT's custom diamond and CBN grinding wheels and tools.

What should you look for in a grinding wheel manufacturer?

When you’re in search of a supplier of custom manufactured grinding wheels, we know you’re going to be focused on three main components: delivery, performance, and support.

At CDT, we deliver engineered solutions to help you complete your project on time. We will also meet or exceed any requirements you have for surface finish, tolerance holding, cycle time reduction, or anything else for which you are needing engineer solutions. We also provide support throughout the duration of the entire project, from beginning to end.

“We provide information and support all along the way,” says Harrison Sheldon, Application Engineer.

Watch our video to find out more about our commitment to excellence for our customers:

Top 10 Super Characteristics of Superabrasives

Superabrasive grinding products get their ‘super’ characteristics from the extremely hard substances used to make them. Unlike conventional grinding wheels that are created using blends of less durable abrasive grains, superabrasives use industry’s the hardest known substances to achieve their abrasive properties.

Diamond has the most extreme Knoop hardness rating around 7,000, with synthetic or manmade diamonds having a more consistent hardness than its naturally occurring counterpart. The other popular superabrasive material, cubic boron nitride (CBN), is an extremely hard synthetic grain with a Knoop rating of 4,700. Conventional grains typically range from 2,100 to 2,500.

Upfront cost for these superabrasive grinding products is very high when compared to conventional abrasives, so what makes them so valuable to many industries? The secret is in this product’s return on investment.

Here are the top 10 reasons you should consider a superabrasive solution for your precision grinding or finishing process.

10. Decreased Cost Per Part

9. Decreased Cost in Swarf Management

8. Increased Production Parts Per Dress

7. Multiple Profile Grinds Without Dress

6. Less Residual Stress or Damage to the Part

5. Increased Throughput

4. Lower Grinding Pressure

3. Higher Removal Rates

2. Improved Surface Finish

…and the number one reason superabrasive products are a ‘super’ solution to your grinding and finishing needs:

1. Lower Overall Tooling Costs

When companies add up the superior precision, efficiency, quality, and durability that comes with a superabrasive grinding wheels, superabrasive grinding wheels and tools quickly justify their upfront cost.

If you are interested in a free quote, contact our customer service team to discuss how a superabrasive solution can be used to improve your company’s bottom line.

What is the benefit of having a grinding lab on site?

Here at CDT, we have a technologically advanced research and development grinding lab. This gives us the opportunity to work with customers to develop grinding processes that are specific to their materials, equipment, and applications. Our setup is unique, in that we’ve added numerous extra sensors to capture data on every element of the grinding process, to replicate what’s happening in the customer’s actual facilities.

We have a twofold product commitment to the Grinding Lab. One, we can develop processes for the customer and their specific application. Two, we can internally develop advanced new products that solve issues for customers before they are even known.

CDT’s customer service commitment includes the lab as well, inviting customers to reach out to us, to use our grinding lab to solve their grinding problems. Benefits to CDT customers include:

• Faster product development

• Cost savings/reduced risk

• Opportunities to innovate

• Valuable data

• Remote product testing

Read more about these benefits here or watch clips of the Grinding Lab in action, and hear more about it from Jeff Wirth, our Engineering Manager in this video:

Why Superabrasives?

When the material you are trying to process is either too hard or too delicate for conventional abrasives, custom superabrasive grinding tools might be the best solution.

What are Superabrasives?

The term “superabrasives” refers to a class of tools used in precision grinding for many industries. Superabrasive grinding products contain natural diamond, manmade diamond, and/or CBN — some of the hardest materials that can be made. Superabrasives are also sometimes called industrial diamonds: an industrial diamond is a non-gem quality small diamond that is for abrasives, cutting, and drilling tools. Other types of superabrasives include:

• Cubic boron nitride (CBN): Usually called CBN, this is the second hardest cutting tool material after a diamond.

• Polycrystalline: This is an abrasive material that has multiple collections of crystal grain structures with individual orientations.

• CVD Diamond: These are synthetic diamonds made by a process known as chemical vapor deposition. CVD diamonds grow from a hydrocarbon gas mixture. They are extremely hard and have a high thermal conductivity that is five times that of copper. They also have broadband optical transparency, are chemically inert, and only reach graphitization at very high temperatures.

• Nano-diamonds: These tiny diamonds are the product of a controlled explosion. They are sometimes called detonation nano-diamonds (DND) or an ultra-dispersed diamonds after how they are formed.

These abrasive materials have been labeled as superabrasive due to their extraordinary hardness, unparalleled performance, and longevity. Continental Diamond Tool uses these superabrasive materials to make custom grinding wheels and products, including plated, vitrified, resin bond, metal bond, hybrid bonds, and rotary dressers, for many complex applications.

Superabrasives vs. Conventional Abrasives

Superabrasives, whether natural or manmade, have a hardness range that distinguishes them as some of the most durable materials on Earth. Conventional abrasives are made with much softer abrasive materials that are less expensive but break down faster. The best abrasive product for your application depends on the material you are grinding and what properties you need to achieve your desired results.

Industries that Use Superabrasives

A great number of industries use superabrasive grinding wheels, and the custom-coated abrasives subsection of the abrasives industry continues to grow. Industries that regularly invest in superabrasive grinding wheels are:

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Medical

• Electronics

• Composites

• Oil Industry

Advantages of Superabrasives

The advantages of superabrasive grinding wheels are more than extraordinary hardness, unparalleled performance, and longevity. These three features of superabrasives are the core of many advantages manufacturers gain by an aggregation of services that normal abrasives simply cannot deliver.

Benefits include:

• Less expensive tooling and fixturing costs

• More wheels on the spindle, smaller wheels, multiple operations

• Less floor space needed for manufacturing

• Virtual elimination of wheel wear

• Automated CNC machines, less labor intensive operations requiring less training

• Consistent surface speed from part to part

• Better overall throughput with fewer machines needed

• Improved material removal rates, lower per part abrasive costs, and higher speeds

With superabrasives, industries have been able to increase production with automated CNC equipment, compensating for a lack of available, skilled labor. With custom superabrasives that are optimized for their process, machine capabilities, and mechanization, there is less reliance on operator technique. A properly defined process, combined with automatic loaders, make for equipment that can even run itself in some cases with lights out manufacturing.

Industry Outlook

Future growth of the abrasives industries will primarily be in superabrasives. Currently, research and development of superabrasives are taking place in the following areas:

• Custom designed “hard to grind” materials in an increasing number of industries

• Creep or deep feed grinding

• High-speed, high-performance grinding of hardened steel

• Form grinding, sometimes with electroplating, in high precision, high-removal, and high-surface quality applications

• CNC-control of line grinding machines

Continental Diamond Tool stays on the forefront of new abrasive technology developments in superabrasives with our state-of-the-art grinding lab focused on research and development of new hybrid bonds that take the efficiencies of superabrasives even further.

How to select the right superabrasive

CDT has a strong group of engineers, product managers, and technical sales people who can come out to your facility to review your equipment and processes, and the parts you’re looking to grind. Or, as Troy Giacherio, Product Manager for Rotary Dressers, suggests, “you can come into our facility and we’d be more than happy to have the conversation, review the whole development process, and then make our recommendations based on what we’ve seen and communicated.” Contact us for a free quote.

Learn more about superabrasive grinding solutions in this video:

How to Order Custom Grinding Wheels

Professionals in certain manufacturing industries use grinding wheels as a normal part of their abrasive cutting, grinding, and machining processes. There are numerous types of grinding wheels, as well as assorted types of abrasive materials and grains. Having and using the right tool for the job is essential, especially for precision manufacturing. It is important to determine what you need before you place an order or get a quote.

TYPES OF GRINDING WHEELS

These are only a few examples of numerous types of grinding wheels and their uses:

• Centerless and feed wheels for creating extremely close tolerances on metal cylindrical parts, such as those for aircraft, automotive, and tool manufacturing

• Cylindrical wheels for angular, plunge, and reverse grinding

• Diamond and hybrid wheels for grinding extremely hard materials, such as carbide tips or concrete

• Dish cup wheels for cutter and jig grinding

• Mounted point wheels for deburring and profiling work on hard materials

• Straight wheels, most commonly used for centerless, cylindrical, and surface grinding on bench and pedestal grinders

• Tapered wheels for grinding gear teeth and threaded applications

TYPES OF ABRASIVES

Depending on the job you need to do and the type of grinding wheel you use, the type of abrasive you need varies. Examples of abrasives include:

• Conventional: Aluminum Oxide (corundum), Ceramic, and Silicon Carbide

• Superabrasive: Natural Diamond, Synthetic or Man Made Diamond, and Cubic Boron Nitride

At Continental Diamond Tool, we produce custom superabrasive grinding solutions. We can help you replace your conventional grinding wheel with the right superabrasive alternative.

ORDER GRINDING WHEELS

While some companies have local suppliers for their grinding wheels and abrasives, it's often more convenient to request a quote online, especially when you are looking to order custom grinding solutions. Here are the steps to take to order a custom grinding wheel:

Step 1

Determine the abrasive specifications required for the job. The proper grinding wheel is dependent on many factors including the grinder, coolant, material being ground, wheel dressing method, and more. To give you the best engineered solution for your grinding application, your supplier will need certain information to ensure you get the results you are looking for. Details you'll want to gather include:

• Type of material: carbide, ceramics, concrete or stone, glass, or metal.

• Type of grinder: manual or CNC

• Type of grinding application: OD, ID, Cylindrical, Surface, Rotary Surface, Angle Head, Double Disc, Plunge, Traverse, etc.

• Wheel diameter: varying from 0.008” to 40”

• Thickness range: varying from 0.030” to 12”

• Arbor hole size: varying from 0.040” to 20 inches

• Desired finish: extra fine, fine, medium, or coarse (for minimal to heavy removal).

• Coolant type

• Dressing method & tools

• Stock removal: If you know your selected abrasive material and required grit (varying from 20 to 8000 mesh), note that too.

Step 2

Call or use the online contact order form for your online supplier. For a custom grinding wheel, provide lots of detail about the type of tool you are using, along with its description, dimensions, and intended use. Continental Diamond Tool has a quote request form that walks you through the information we need to provide an accurate quote, and you can upload reference files if needed. Or you can always call us if you want to talk through the parameters of your project.

Step 3

At Continental Diamond Tool, we specialize in custom superabrasive grinding wheels and tools. Our team of engineers will work with you on a custom solution to your grinding needs. Depending on the nature of your project, we can run remote simulations or in-person trials and test prototypes before manufacturing the final piece. The whole process typically takes a number of weeks, but can be fast tracked if needed. At the end, our engineers will work with your team to guarantee that the grinding wheel is properly installed and performing as expected. They can also offer instruction on how to maintain your grinding wheel for ongoing high performance.

Stop getting by with a grinding wheel that isn’t optimized for the job. It's best to consult an expert to make sure your tool is a good fit for your process. In many cases, custom grinding wheels quickly pay for themselves with increased efficiency and extended tool life, and you'll see the difference to your company’s bottom line. It starts with calling 800-443-6629 or requesting a free quote online today:

CDT Launches New Website

Continental Diamond Tool is proud to announce the launch of a completely redesigned website at cdtusa.net. The new website features expanded information about CDT products, an extensive searchable knowledge-base of articles, updated photos and videos, and a revamped mobile-friendly experience.

Pages about Metal Bond, Resin Bond, Vitrified, Plated, and Hybrid Bond grinding wheels, along with Stationary and Rotary Diamond Dressers have all been updated. We are also transitioning our downloads page to include interactive PDFs.

We hope you will check out our about section with updated historical photos that highlight our nearly 50 years in grinding wheel manufacturing and new photos of our team. We’ve also added a page about our efforts to support our local community. Customers can still find warranty, product safety, supplier terms, and a payment portal. Some major industry trade shows are coming up and you can find that information on our website, too!

Websites are a work in progress, and we will be continuously updating ours as we add new capabilities. Even as we launch this more robust site, we're already considering other features to make our service even more prompt, such as live chat, customer portal, and more. What information or functionality would you like to see? Let us know.

We look forward to sharing more great information about CDT grinding products and services and other resources for the manufacturing industries we serve. Follow us on Linked In, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, and sign up for our mailing list for regular email updates about once a quarter.

As always, when your product application calls for a Diamond or CBN superabrasive wheel or tooling, you can contact our team and we'll be happy to assist you in any way. Enjoy!

Superabrasive Manufacturing: The Industries We Serve

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For industries that need to shape some of the world’s hardest substances like tungsten carbide, ceramics, and superalloys, only an extremely tough tool can do the job. Applications like these require grinding wheels and tools made with the most durable materials for cutting: natural or man-made diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN).

Ironically, delicate substances like silicone also require the special characteristics that only these superabrasive materials can provide. With a wide variety of forms, grades, and bonds, CDT is proud to supply high-precision custom superabrasive grinding and finishing solutions for a variety of commercial, industrial, and military applications.

Here’s a rundown of industries that are known to benefit from the toughness and precision of custom CBN and diamond grinding solutions:

AEROSPACE & MILITARY

Top aircraft turbine manufacturers in the United States and around the world require precision plated form wheels and form mandrels in the manufacturing of turbine blades and other various engine parts. CBN grinding technology can be used for both the manufacturing of aircraft engine components and land-based turbine engine components. Efficient manufacturing needs shorter production runs and longer cycle times. Plated CBN wheels are the preferred choice for high precision form grinding applications of this nature.

CDT engineers are experienced with the demands of military and commercial aerospace applications, particularly in regard to turbine engine tooling and grinding solutions. We've even manufactured tooling for interplanetary use. As a leader in the manufacturing of diamond grinding tools for both air frame and aerostructure components, CDT is well-equipped to tackle this industry’s most challenging manufacturing needs.

For aerospace and military applications, superabrasive solutions are useful in working with:

• Composites

• Composite Material

• Honeycomb Composites

• Graphite & Kevlar

• Reinforced Plastics

• Titanium

AUTOMOTIVE

Over the years, CDT has proven to be a reliable partner to the automotive industry as a supplier of grinding tools for machining engine, chassis, and transmission components. We provide the continuous innovation, wide range of superabrasive capabilities, high quality standards, and delivery reliability that the automotive industry needs to stay competitive in an ever changing world.

The automotive industry uses superabrasive grinding products in the manufacture of many components such as:

• Engines

• Brakes

• Steering, Suspension Systems

• Parts

• Rubber, Tires

• Windshield Glass, Mirrors

• Body Parts

CERAMICS

With extreme hardness that in some cases surpasses that of metals, the properties of ceramics offer unique opportunities and challenges for grinding in this industry. From circuit board parts, kitchenware, solar panels, pipes, and tubes to advanced technical ceramics and refractories, the ceramics industry manufactures a vast range of products that require the special characteristics of superabrasive wheels and tools. With our reputation for high precision diamond grinding wheels that work longer, cut faster, and are more durable, leaders in the ceramics industry regularly turn to CDT engineers to help them achieve their most demanding grinding and finishing requirements.

The ceramics industry uses superabrasive tools for the grinding and finishing of:

• Glass

• Brick, Refactories

• Ceramics

• Carbon, Graphite

• Lavatory

• Alumina

COMPOSITES, FIBERGLASS & PLASTICS

CDT has an electroplated process that is specially formulated for composites and provides outstanding cutting speed and efficiency. Our engineering team specializes in helping our customers create successful, cost effective solutions for their manufacturing needs. This applies to all types of composites, from FRP to fiberglass to Kevlar® aramid fiber. CDT's electroplated wheels have seen great success in all areas where composites are used, including: automotive, aerospace, sporting equipment (golf clubs, archery, bicycles, etc), wind energy, and military applications.

Many industries turn to superabrasive solutions when manufacturing requires these composite and fiber-reinforced plastic materials:

• FRP Corrosive Resistant Material

• Marine Fiberglass

• Cultured Marble Types

• Thermoset Resin Materials

• Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP)

• Composites

CUTTING TOOLS

For those companies involved in the manufacturing or resharpening of cutting tools, superabrasives have the strength and durability that such metal manipulation requires. Superabrasive tools that are custom designed to the required specs can reduce the cost per part, meet high-precision quality standards, and provide superior value.

Our engineering department has much experience achieving tighter tolerances and better performance, even with this industry’s extremely tough materials. A well designed custom grinding wheel can take a company to the next level, increasing efficiency while saving resources and time.

For the cutting tools industry, superabrasive tools are superior at grinding and finishing metals such as:

• Carbide

• High Speed Steel

FOOD PROCESSING, PAPER & CARDBOARD

Manufacturers of cutlery and hand tools turn to CDT superabrasives for many grinding applications. Cool cutting, fast stock removal, excellent finish, superior wheel life, and an attractive return-on-investment are prerequisites for success in the demanding grinding required in food processing and paper/cardboard.

Industries involving food processing, paper, and cardboard use superabrasive grinding products in applications such as:

• Blade & Knife Sharpening

• GEM

• Precious Stone

• Semi-Precious Stone

• Corrugated & Flat Cutters

GEARS

CDT is a partner to the gear industry. Our areas of expertise include grinding wheels for virtually every operation needed in the production of gears and gear components. More broadly, our custom engineering department helps companies develop products that will maintain and improve production efficiencies on a continuous basis for whatever the customer’s need.

The gear industry uses superabrasive tools in the manufacture of:

• Gear, Thread

• Gear Guide, Bed

MEDICAL/DENTAL

From bone sawing to intravascular applications, CDT is regularly commissioned to engineer high precision tools for medical use. Our engineers understand the thorough testing and quality processes associated with medical device manufacturing . Our products are designed with exacting standards to achieve the tight tolerance demanded by this industry.

Medical and dental industry uses for superabrasive tooling include:

• Prosthesis

• Dental Instruments

• Surgical Equipment

OIL & GAS

When the oil and gas industry has a job that calls for high precision grinding of carbide and PCD drill bits, wear parts, and gage blocks for oil and gas drill manufacturing, efficiency and effectiveness are extremely important. ID grinding is an exacting process that requires unparalleled precision for reliable, repeatable results. And, this industry’s CNC OD Grinders have their own unique challenges in these most difficult center-type grinding projects.

CDT has developed superabrasive advanced bond technology perfectly suited to all these needs of the oil industry. We also custom engineer each tool for longer tool life and a high stock removal, making it the best value in the industry.

The oil and gas industry turns to superabrasive tools for:

• PCD/Carbide Grinding

• I.D. / O.D. Grinding

POWER GENERATION

CDT has the capability to produce thousands of precision-built superabrasive products of high quality, performance, and repeatability for virtually every conceivable manufacturing area involved in power generation. The diversity in this industry calls for Vitrified, Resin Bond, Plated, and Metal Bond Diamond and CBN products to get the job done.

For the power generation industry, superabrasive tools are most commonly used in the manufacture of:

• Wind Turbine

• Gas & Steam Turbine

• Marine Turbine

• Blades

WOOD/SAW

CDT is experienced at supplying custom superabrasive products for the lumber and wood products industry. We provide grinding solutions for OEM manufacturers, filing rooms and service shops for their processes of manufacturing and maintaining band saws, circular saws, chippers, planers, and paper knives. All in all, our grinding wheels are designed to help our customers maintain and improve production efficiencies on a continuous basis.

Industry leaders in lumber and wood products use superabrasive tools for applications such as:

• Carbide Tip Saw Blades

• Band Saws

• Knife Sharpening

OTHER MARKETS

Continental Diamond Tool has been providing technically superior precision tooling solutions to numerous other distinct industries since 1973. Over the years, we have witnessed more and more companies realize the productivity increases possible with the use of custom superabrasive products. With more parts processed per wheel and fewer wheel changes, many see how investing in this level of quality and durability pays off.

Along with those highlighted above, below are additional industries who have turned to CDT for superabrasive grinding solutions:

ELECTRONICS

• Ferrites, Magnetics

• Substrate (Ceramics, Glass, IC)

• Quartz Crystal

• Semiconductors

• Printed Circuit Boards

OPTIC & PRECISION

• Lens, Prism

• Measuring Instruments

STONE

• Lapidary Tools

• Refractory Brick

• Peek Materials

• Granite

TOOL & DIE

• Cemented Carbide Tool & Die

• Special Steel Tool

• Molding Die

• Bearing

• Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Valve

• Jig

WIRE & CABLE

• Precision Die

Top 10 Reasons to Work Third Shift at CDT

Here at Continental Diamond Tool, we take our work seriously, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a sense of humor! Whether you think of third shift as a “late shift” or a “late show,” there are lots of great reasons to work nights at CDT.

From longer weekends to higher pay, watch the video below to see the top ten reasons you should apply for third shift at CDT.

Drumroll please…..

6 Common Grinding Problems and How to Solve Them

Most grinding problems affect one of two categories: either appearance of the workpiece or productivity and return on investment. After verifying that the grinding machine isn’t at fault, there is one likely culprit causing your grinding problems: your grinding wheel.

Poor surface finish, chatter, and burning all affect the appearance of your product. Productivity issues like short wheel life, slow or inefficient cutting, or the wheel not cutting at all are also costly problems to have.

Let’s take these one at a time to see how a fix to your grinding wheel can solve some of your most challenging grinding issues.

1) POOR SURFACE FINISH

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
In the appearance category, poor finish is a common complaint when your grinding wheel isn’t optimized. Grinding is a multi-point cutting process, but broken down to the microscopic level, it has similarities to a single point operation like turning. Viewed this way, it’s easy to see how surface finish is affected by the same factors: the more material removed by each grinding point, the bigger the individual chips and the rougher the surface.

SOLUTIONS:

• Select a grinding wheel with a finer grit size

• Reduce the relative speed between the wheel and workpiece

OTHER POSSIBILITIES:

• If grinding wet, the coolant may not be efficiently removing chips from the workpiece or wheel interface.

• It's also possible that the wheel is being dressed excessively, creating grinding points that are standing too proud of the wheel surface.

2) CHATTER

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
Recognizable by a distinct, often audible, pattern on the workpiece, chatter has many causes. Wheel-induced chatter occurs when an out-of-true grinding wheel acts as an excitation source.

SOLUTIONS:

• In this case the wheel should be trued carefully.

• Also check that it isn’t slipping on its mount.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES:

• If the problem is tracked down to a vibration in the machine — possibly some kind of resonance — the solution is to vary the grinding speed. Try going 10% faster or slower to remove the forcing excitation.

• A detailed discussion of chatter is available at the Abrasive Engineering Society website.

3) BURNING

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
Machinists use the term “burning” to describe thermal damage. It can show up as cosmetic discoloration, changes in workpiece hardness, and possibly distortion-inducing internal tensile stresses. Burning can occur if the wheel is glazed or loaded, causing more rubbing and friction. This often occurs if the machinist is trying to push the wheel through the workpiece too quickly or using a wheel that’s too durable.

SOLUTIONS:

• Dress the wheel with the correct dressing tool

• Reduce the feed rate or the relative velocity between wheel and workpiece.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES:

• Burning is far more common when grinding dry, although can still be experienced in wet grinding if there isn't enough coolant flow to carry away the heat.

• See “Burn Awareness”, originally published in Cutting Tool Engineering, December 2000, for more information.

4) WHEEL LIFE TOO SHORT

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
This costly issue can be caused by a wheel that's either too hard or too soft for the workpiece. When this is the case, the grinding wheel loads up or wears away too quickly.

SOLUTIONS:

• Try a grinding wheel manufactured with a different material that is better suited for your grinding operation.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES:

• Insufficient coolant

• Dressing your grinding wheel too frequently

• Wheel speed too low

5) WHEEL CUTTING SLOWLY

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
This productivity issue is usually caused by feeds and/or wheel speeds that are too low. If you are using the wrong type of grinding wheel, you may be forced to cut slowly to avoid burning, but ultimately that’s not efficient for your process.

SOLUTION:

The solution is to find a wheel that can grind as fast as possible without burning. A grinding wheel specialists can suggest alternatives that will increase speed for your specific operation.

6) WHEEL NOT CUTTING AT ALL

WHY YOUR GRINDING WHEEL MAY BE AT FAULT:
Most likely, this happen when the grinding wheel is glazed by truing.

SOLUTION:
The solution is to dress the wheel lightly until the grit opens up. For dressing advice, consult with a grinding specialist.

OUR BEST ADVICE

THINK LOGICALLY
Most grinding problems can be solved by tracing the fault back to basic principles. With all grinding applications, imagine your material being removed by individual cutting points. Thinking from this perspective, a solution usually emerges.

Also, use your resources. The grinding experts at CDT are happy to discuss your cutting and grinding issues and offer solutions that will set your manufacturing operations on track to success.

CDT Expands with New Third Shift Positions

o keep up with increasing demand, Continental Diamond Tool is expanding third shift at their primary manufacturing facility in New Haven, Indiana. CDT first started offering third shift positions in their resin department in late 2021. With success there, CDT is now making moves to build third shifts for their metal bond and vitrified departments as well.

What It’s Like to Work Third Shift at CDT
Kyle Hockemeyer, is CDT's third shift lead in the resin department. He works closely with his team to make sure the work goes smoothly and efficiently overnight. That also means hiring the kind of employees who show initiative and drive.

“With third shift, we’re looking for go-getters, self-starters, who get things going when they get here. There’s benefits to that,” he says in this video interview. Third shift regularly enjoys long weekends, with scheduled hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 pm to 6:00 am. There is also a $1.50/hr. shift premium and opportunities for overtime. Check out this video with Kyle to learn more about what it’s like to work CDT’s third shift:

Be a Part of Building This New Third Shift!
CDT currently has openings for a number of entry-level, full-time third shift positions. If you have that winning combination of “night owl” and “self-starter” and would like to join a team with similar goals, we invite you to apply to a third shift position at CDT.

CDT Grinding Lab Featured in Case Study by United Grinding

For many years, we planned to build an in-house R&D grinding lab, to allow us to develop new products and improve existing lines with real data and testing.

When COVID hit, we seized the opportunity to take advantage of global slowdown to expand in this new direction. After extensive research and assessment of future needs, we landed on the Walter Helitronic Power 400 for its versatility, as well as its stability and dependability, and United Grinding’s stellar reputation, service, and support.

With the Walter equipment, we are able to address customer requirements such as shorter cycle times, and keeping up with rapidly changing market conditions.

This forward thinking has been critical for post-pandemic market growth, at a time when other companies have scaled back instead.

Read more about the process of acquiring the Walter, and our relationship with United Grinding.

Does CDT Carry Stock?

A lot of customers ask if we keep stock inventory on the shelf.

Because our customers’ needs are diverse, there are not a lot of common tools used across industries. Therefore, it is really most beneficial to us - and our customers - to only build custom. This gives us the flexibility to deliver exactly what the customer is looking for in a timely manner.

Customers are often surprised at how quickly and affordably we can deliver custom grinding wheels. We manage our inventory, control our overhead, and keep our costs low, so we can pass those savings on to our customers.

Watch this video to learn more.

To get started with custom superabrasive grinding wheels from CDT, contact us for a free quote.

How much does a Custom Superabrasive Grinding Wheel Cost?

A Look at the Bigger Picture >

As a custom-made product, the cost of a superabrasive grinding wheel can vary greatly from one design and application to the next. People may shy away from custom products because they think one of two things: it’s going to cost a lot more or it’s going to take a long time to complete. While that may be partially true on the surface, that’s not the whole picture.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the factors that will help you assess the “total cost” of custom grinding products, which includes both what the product is and the value it provides over time. When taking everything into account, our clients often find that the custom grinding product that appeared to be too expensive actually has a return on investment that quickly pays for itself.

Here are 4 advantages to purchasing custom superabrasive grinding wheels from Continental Diamond Tool so you can weigh their value long-term:

1) Custom Grinding Wheel means a better fit.

With the right custom grinding wheel, customers have reported upwards of a 70% improvement in efficiency from conventional wheels. Our engineers work with you to reduce cycle times, maximize removal rates, minimize maintenance requirements, decrease material damage, and improve productivity wherever possible.

During the design phase, we can run simulations from our facility or travel to yours. We frequently visit customers to learn their machinery, materials, and processes so we can design a better grinding wheel that works for what they need. Some of our product options can be incorporated into lights out production which can be an even great boost to your company’s overall efficiency.

With each tool custom designed for your unique application, you get productivity out of your grinding wheel that you’ve likely never seen before. When you factor in these benefits, ROI skyrockets.

2) Custom Grinding Wheel means quality work.

Conventional wheels off the assembly line will never match the quality of custom grinding wheels from an experienced manufacturer. Custom grinding wheel manufacturers generally do not cut corners like you see with commodity products. At CDT, we use the best quality materials because it’s in our best interest to maintain longterm relationships with customers and the superiority of our products.

Experience can also be a factor with quality. Even within the industry of custom superabrasives, inexperienced engineers can cost you in development time, troubleshooting hassles, and subpar products. At CDT, we have almost 50 years of experience in old and new grinding technologies. And we’re always updating our quality control systems with state-of-the-art precision testing equipment to make sure you are getting the most efficiency from your custom grinding wheel investment.

3) Custom Grinding Wheel means the product will last.

Superabrasive grinding wheels are made from natural diamond, manmade diamond, and CBN —some of the strongest materials known to man. Conventional abrasives are made from materials like aluminum oxide and silicon carbide — much softer materials that break down more quickly. Depending on your application, a more durable product that you don’t have to replace as often may actually be a better investment.

Additionally, we have options with some of our superabrasive products where we can recommend dressing tools and even refinishing or replating services that can make your grinding wheels last even longer.

4) Custom Grinding Wheel means a great customer experience.

You may be wondering how great service actually saves you money. First, the customer service team at Continental Diamond Tool provides free quotes, product selection and design assistance. You don’t have to research and guess what you need. A specialist will provide product recommendations and a competitive quote for you for free.

Second, a company like CDT whom you have a personal relationship with will do everything they can to help. For example, we know that waiting on a grinding wheel order can be painful for your company’s productivity and bottom line. Delays may throw off your production calendar and anger customers. That is why we’ve taken measures — like stocking an extensive inventory of raw materials — so we can deliver your order faster than others in the industry. Additionally, once your product has been developed, a reorder can be produced and shipped much faster.

Third, service doesn’t stop at the sale. While some big name custom superabrasive and conventional wheel manufacturers have cut corners in service for better bottom lines, CDT has remained true to our founding principles. Does your grinding wheel supplier train your team on installation and maintenance? Will they come to your facility to review your machinery and processes to make sure your grinding wheel is optimized for peak performance? Do they notify you when new technology becomes available that could make your processes even more efficient? At CDT, our personal sales team and tech support are here to help you overcome the obstacles to increased productivity and success.

Learn more about superabrasives and how they differ from conventional grinding wheels in this video:

To get started with custom superabrasive grinding wheels from CDT, contact us for a free quote.

How CNC Automation at Continental Diamond Tool Benefits Customers and Employee

Continental Diamond Tool has been in business since 1973, and in that time we’ve grown to rank among the world’s top manufacturers of Diamond and CBN wheels for drilling, cutting, and grinding applications. One key component of our growth has been our investment in innovation, both with our products and our processes. With our recent investment in CNC automation through robotics, we're seeing benefits to quality, speed, and employee satisfaction. Let’s look at what this new technology means for our customers and employees.

Quality Matters
Quality has been an area where Continental Diamond Tool has invested heavily in systems and automations that allow us to test and assure the accuracy of every product that leaves our facility. Robots take this a step further, producing consistent products with minimal, if any, defects. Robots are perfect for doing repetitive jobs with precision and efficiency.

In addition, automatic “error-proofing” is built into our robotic systems. Advanced software in robotics identifies when there is an issue in production and notifies our production team before it causes costly delays.

Reducing Lead Times
Before introducing robotic automation, at Continental Diamond Tool we struggled to reduce lead times on our custom products. Because each machine required highly skilled technicians to operate it, demand could easily exceed our available workforce during periods of peak production. Despite making every effort to expedite orders with on-hand raw materials and first-come-first-served policies, sometimes shipments wouldn’t reach customers until months after initial requests.

Now that all robotic machines can be remotely monitored, operators can observe production from start to finish on multiple machines. Lights-out production means even more efficient use of our facilities and quicker turnaround on orders. Now we've reduced lead times to mere weeks from design to delivery. Even with last minute orders, our robots extend our ability to put in overtime and keep up with unpredictable demand.

“With this tight labor market being what it is, CDT is always striving to become more efficient with what we have," says Jeff Gongaware, CDT Customer Service & Assistant Sales Manager. "It is not uncommon for me to walk through the shop at the end of the day and see the Robotic Arm machining blanks when all of the machinists are gone for the day. It is difficult to be to be more efficient than that.”

Better Service & Innovation
Our team at Continental Diamond Tool is always looking for ways to improve the customer experience. We strive to ensure that our customers receive nothing but quality products. When we implemented robotics into our machine shop, repetitive and maintenance tasks were delegated to robots. The resulting increases in efficiency and revenue has freed up both our human and capital resources for further investment in value-added services like research and development.

"Not only has robotic automation freed our team to make better use of their talents in the areas of service and creative innovation, but none of the robots have contracted COVID yet!" jokes Nick Viggiano, CDT President.

By integrating CNC automation into all phases of production, we have found we have been able to innovate more quickly while also ensuring the high quality of our parts. As a result, CDT is able to better serve our customers.

Better Job Satisfaction
An ongoing myth in manufacturing is that robots are replacing humans on the shop floor. While it’s true that robots are making many of our processes more efficient, CDT has found that automation actually makes life better for our workers. With mundane tasks being performed by robots, our employees can focus their energy elsewhere on bettering production efforts in more impactful ways.

According to CNC machinist Ron Fuller, “It has definitely improved efficiency and productivity in numbers, while also allowing me more time to focus on other projects at the same time. Prior to using the robotic arm, I was producing about 50-60 parts per day and now the arm allows me to produce 80 parts per day."

Repetitive, strenuous tasks tend to pose health and safety issues for CNC machinists and operators. By delegating these tasks to robots, there is less risk for workplace injury. And without this highly physical, repetitive work, we now find we have a wider pool of candidates who are willing and able to perform production work.

“In manufacturing in general, the pool of qualified or interested candidates is currently a bit shallow," says Kathy Fell, Human Resources Manager. "However, CDT is able to take what seems difficult and turn it into an opportunity with the idea of modifying job roles.”

For example, CDT has begun hiring recent retirees who want to reenter the workforce. They may no longer want to do heavy machining work, but with robots they can use their expertise in new ways, while working part-time schedules as productive as their full-time positions used to be.

Today CNC operators at CDT are focused on more enjoyable tasks such as programming and preparing multiple machines, designing new products, improving production strategies, and general monitoring of the production line. Robots are making the jobs of our CNC operators more rewarding, as they can produce more with less effort.

Working Smarter
To be successful in business, we have to be good stewards of our resources. By investing in CNC automation, Continental Diamond Tool is able to produce higher-quality products faster and with less waste. This equates to happier customers, greater employee satisfaction, and a stronger financial standing for us as a business. By working smarter through automation, we are all seeing the benefits.

Find New Purpose with a Part-time Job in Manufacturing — Seniors Welcome!

The top thing people report missing about work after they retire is interacting with co-workers, friends, and others. Whatever stage of life you’re in, it can be difficult to find ways to make yourself feel productive and included in your community if you’re not working full-time. Working part-time has been shown to boost mental health, improve self-esteem, and provide opportunities for growth. That’s why it’s so important to know that part-time manufacturing jobs are available — seniors included!

What Part-Time Jobs in Manufacturing Are Available?
Manufacturing jobs are often classified as full-time or part-time. While part-time manufacturing jobs do exist, they’re rare. That’s because we, like many manufacturers, have crucial production periods that need to be consistently staffed and require special training. Yet at Continental Diamond Tool, we've identified several job functions that make for excellent part-time work. These part-time jobs do not require higher education or physically-demanding skills, but are still important in getting the job done.

Am I Qualified?
No matter what part-time job you’re looking for, it can be difficult to know if you have enough experience. If you’re over 50 or have been out of the workforce for awhile, you may worry that your age or work gap will count against you when applying for part-time positions in manufacturing. The fact is we like to hire employees who are over 50 to benefit from their experience and skills.

Benefits to Part-time Employment
Though most of our employees work full-time, we also have a great group of part-timers who have come out of retirement to join our team. A part-time job is a great way to maintain an active life outside of work while still being productive. Enjoy purposeful work with a team moving toward a common goal. Benefits like job flexibility, gaining experience, and staying on top of new technology can all make part-time employment attractive for those looking to supplement their income or come out of retirement. The free golf membership is also a great perk!

Benefits for part-time positions at Continental Diamond Tool include:

• Paid Break

• Climate Control

• Golf Membership

• Fitness Center

Check out this video from one of our part-time employees about coming out of retirement to join CDT:

Who Should Apply?
Seniors or anyone interested in part-time jobs with a prior history in manufacturing should consider applying. This is a great way to scale back on work while staying connected to your career as well as share the experience you've gained over the years.

At CDT, you don't have to worry about feeling out of place. We have purposefully hired a workforce diverse in age and experience. In fact, having former retirees on staff provides an opportunity for our younger workers to learn from those more experienced in production work. That's just one example of how we reward ambition at CDT — it doesn't matter if you're young or old, we want every employee to feel valued and respected here at CDT .

How to Get Started with Part-time Employment
The first step is to gather your work history and apply. You can complete our online application, email your resumé to jobs@cdtusa.net, or drop it off at our main office at 10511 Rose Avenue in New Haven, Indiana. Please note on your application or resumé that you are interested in a part-time position.

When we call you for an interview, be ready to tell us why you’re looking for a manufacturing position and discuss any relevant experience you have. Before we meet, have an idea of what your ideal job would look like: How much do you want to work? Is there a certain type of job that interests you? What experience or limitations do you have? We will talk about the part-time positions available and contact you if we think you’d be a good fit!

Pushing the Bounds in Grinding Technology

In today’s competitive advanced manufacturing space, industry leaders know that staying a step ahead means continuously pushing the bounds of what’s possible. Materials are harder, tolerances are tighter, and cycle times are shorter than ever before. In this environment, precision is essential. Well designed custom tooling can provide the edge you need to make your processes that much better.

When Ray Viggiano set up shop in 1973, his philosophy was simple:

If a customer needs it,

CDT makes it happen.

Over the years, a lot has changed, but this philosophy has stayed the same. In this video, you can see Continental Diamond Tool's state-of-the-art facility. Learn how we've grown into a leading manufacturer of superabrasive grinding wheels and diamond dressers that set new standards in the industry. Watch how we have assembled the technology, materials, and expertise to tackle the toughest jobs out there with precision and excellence. And hear about our can-do culture that has been the foundation for our company's success.

At CDT, we are committed to producing grinding wheels with the highest quality, performance, and accuracy. If you need it, CDT will make it happen. To get started, call us or request a quote.

Thank You to Our Customers

We wanted to take a moment to let you know that we truly appreciate working with you, and we’re so grateful for the trust you place in us. We wish you a happy Thanksgiving and the very best throughout this holiday season.

If there are any last minute tools you need for 2021, or if you'd like a quote for 2022 budgeting, please don't hesitate to reach out. 

We will be closed on Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th to observe the Thanksgiving holiday.

Komets Fans Recruited by CDT

With demand in superabrasive grinding wheels surging, Continental Diamond Tool is looking to grow its workforce of highly motivated, enthusiastic employees. In a stroke of inspiration, CDT management is tapping a pool of unexpected candidates with great potential — Komets hockey fans.

“When I asked my team what we’re looking for in a new hire, they told me we need go-getters, team players, who will enjoy our benefits and push the team forward,” says Nick Viggiano, CDT President. “It was obvious to me that Komets fans are the ideal pool of candidates.”

Sports lovers, and especially Komets fans, love working at CDT — the company offers employees free access to its fitness center, free golf memberships, and free access to a suite at the Coliseum for employees to share throughout the Komets season.

“At CDT, we’re in it to out hustle, out work, out-think, outplay, and outlast. Wheel, Snipe, Celly. If you get that, come on in and apply,” says HR manager Kathy Fell.

Earlier this month, the ultimate Komets fan and mascot, Icy D. Eagle, came to CDT to complete his application. His enthusiasm was not lost on CDT Quality Manager Karl Zimmerman. “When he checked me into the glass, I knew he had drive,” says Karl.

Here is a short clip from Icy’s tour of the CDT facility:

Keep an eye out for more clips of Icy’s antics at CDT on YouTube, Facebook, and at hockey games throughout the Komets season. Upcoming home dates include:

FRI, NOV 05

SAT, NOV 13

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THU, NOV 25

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MON, DEC 27

FRI, DEC 31

WED, JAN 5

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WED, FEB 9

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SUN, FEB 20

WED, MAR 2

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SAT, APR 2

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FRI, APR 8

SAT, APR 16

You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

If you are a Komets fan looking for a career change at a team-oriented workplace with great benefits, apply now at www.CDTUSA.net/jobs. Go Komets!