Corporate History
DIAMETAL AG/SA, established in 1936 in Biel, Switzerland, specializes in carbide tools and Diamond and CBN grinding tools. The company expanded internationally with DIAMETAL FRANCE in 1973 and DIAMETAL ITALIA in 1995. They utilize their own grinding tools to produce carbide cutting tools, creating synergies for global customers. DIAMETAL holds certifications in ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:1996, and OHSAS 18001:1999.

Diamond and CBN Grinding Tools
Diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN) are the hardest known abrasives, suitable for materials that conventional abrasives cannot process. Diamond is pure carbon, while CBN is composed of boron and nitrogen, making it effective for processing steel. Diamond is unsuitable for steel due to carbon affinity, leading to decomposition at high temperatures.

Abrasive Qualities and Grain Sizes
Grain size significantly affects grinding performance, material removal rate, and surface quality. DIAMETAL uses FEPA standards for grain size, with diamond marked as 'D' and CBN as 'B'. The document provides a detailed table of grain sizes and their corresponding surface qualities.

Concentration and Bonding
Concentration refers to the weight of diamond or CBN per cubic centimeter of grinding layer volume, affecting cutting ability and lifespan. DIAMETAL offers various bonding types, including resin, metal, metal-ceramic, ceramic, and electroplated bonds, each with specific properties influenced by fillers.

Grinding Process Parameters
The document emphasizes selecting the right combination of abrasive grain, bonding material, fillers, concentration, and wheel body material to meet modern grinding process requirements. DIAMETAL offers over 80 standard bonds and continuously develops new ones to address grinding challenges.

Specifications and Procedures
The document details the process of sharpening grinding wheels, focusing on corundum wheels with a grain size of 320 and hardness grade J. It highlights the importance of resetting the bond after dressing to achieve necessary grain protrusion, known as sharpening. Parameters for sharpening are similar to those for finishing dressing. Specific sharpening stones are recommended for manual sharpening, and matching the rotation direction of the grinding wheel with the grinding process is emphasized.

Key Metrics in Grinding Process
Two critical metrics are introduced: the specific material removal rate (Qw') and the G-ratio. Qw' measures the material removal rate in cubic millimeters per millimeter of grinding width per second, allowing for comparison of different grinding processes. The G-ratio is the ratio of material removed from the workpiece to the volume of grinding wheel wear, useful for comparing grinding wheels under identical conditions.

Diamond and CBN Grinding Materials
Diamond and CBN are highlighted as super-abrasives suitable for machining hard materials. Diamond is ideal for non-steel materials due to its carbon content, while CBN is suitable for steel due to its thermal stability and lack of carbon atoms. The document provides a comparison of hardness and thermal performance between diamond and CBN.

Grit Size and Surface Quality
The document explains the impact of grit size on grinding performance and surface quality. Coarser grits achieve higher removal rates but lower surface quality, while finer grits provide better surface finishes. It includes a table of FEPA standard grit sizes and their corresponding mesh widths.

Bond Types and Properties
The document outlines various bond types used in grinding tools, including resin, metal, metal-vitrified, vitrified, and electroplated bonds. Each bond type is characterized by its cutting capacity, shape stability, temperature resistance, thermal conductivity, and dressing capability.

Concentration and Performance
Concentration refers to the weight of diamond or CBN per cubic centimeter of grinding rim volume, affecting cutting performance and wheel life. The document provides a diagram of different concentrations and their impact on performance.

Overview of Bond Characteristics
The document discusses various bond characteristics in grinding tools, highlighting the role of different fillers such as supporting, metallic, lubricating, and pore-forming fillers. These fillers enhance the grinding process by supporting grits, improving thermal management, reducing friction, and facilitating coolant transport.

Types of Bonds
The document categorizes bonds into resin, metal, metal-vitrified, vitrified, and electroplated bonds, each with specific properties and applications. Resin bonds are cost-effective with a thermal load capacity of up to 350°C, suitable for fine surface grinding. Metal bonds, with a capacity of up to 600°C, offer excellent shape stability, ideal for profile grinding. Metal-vitrified bonds combine metal and vitrified properties, suitable for internal grinding and cutting ceramics. Vitrified bonds, with a capacity of 600-700°C, are known for their dressing capacity and are used in steel machining. Electroplated bonds are detailed in a separate catalog.

Cutting Speeds and Cooling
Recommended cutting speeds vary based on the bond type and grinding conditions. The document emphasizes the importance of cooling, particularly with pure grinding oil, to enhance tool life and efficiency. Proper nozzle positioning and coolant pressure are crucial for effective cooling.

Wheel Body Materials
Different materials are used for wheel bodies, with properties such as vibration damping and thermal conductivity influencing their selection. Synthetic materials are used for diamond wheels due to their lower mechanical strength.

Conditioning of Grinding Wheels
Conditioning involves dressing and sharpening. Dressing restores the grinding rim geometry, while sharpening ensures optimal cutting efficiency by setting back the bond. The document provides detailed recommendations for dressing and sharpening parameters, emphasizing the use of silicon carbide and corundum wheels.

Sharpening Recommendations
For hand sharpening, use the recommended sharpening stones: red for grit size D/B 301 - D/B 46 and white for grit size MD/MB 40 - MD/MB 1. Always wet the stone with water or emulsion, not grinding oil. Ensure the grinding wheel's rotation direction matches the actual grinding process.

Grinding Process Variables
Key variables include specific time-machining volume (Qw') and the G value. Qw' measures the grinding wheel's removal capacity in mm³/mm/s, useful for comparing processes and feed control. The G value is the ratio of material removed to grinding rim volume, relevant for comparing different wheels under identical conditions.

Calculating Qw'
Formulas for different grinding types:

• Flat or deep grinding: Qw' = (ae x Vt) / 60
• External – longitudinal grinding: Qw' = (ae x Nw x Dw x π) / 60
• External – plunge-cut grinding: Qw' = (Vf x Dw x π) / 60

Ordering Information
Provide specifications, grit size, concentration, bond, and fabrication number for orders. Example: Wheel description, shape, diameter, rim width, depth, bore, abrasive agent, grit size, concentration, bond.

Standard and Custom Wheel Shapes
Various standard and custom shapes are available, with specifications for dimensions and angles. Specify details like sweep or plunge-cut grinding when ordering.