There are so many different abrasive solutions available on the market today and there can vary widely in terms of quality and business benefit. So how do you decide which is the best one for your job?…
We’ve put together some top tips to consider when purchasing abrasives for your business.
- Quality – The quality of abrasives available today can be extremely variable. By varying the properties of the abrasive and bond and the makeup of the wheel it is possible to produce grinding wheels with a varied range of grinding characteristics. Stock removal performance is a great metric to ensure you are purchasing the most suitable abrasive for the job.
- Time – The right abrasives needs to save you time on a particular job or element of the process and this can then be turned into a quantifiable cost saving, which means resource can be placed elsewhere.
- Specialist Applications– There is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to abrasives. There are different abrasives for specific materials, so don’t just go with generic, it will result in a poor finish, short lifespan and extra costs elsewhere such as slow turnaround on jobs. Why not have the best product for that particular application rather than a ‘jack of all trades’, it may cost more than the generic option, but will be more profitable in the long term.
- Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) – Setting the correct RPM when using your tools for the job in question will help ensure good tool life and the longevity of your abrasives.
- Cost – Cheapest is not always the most cost effective, you need to consider the lifetime value. If you purchase a cheap alternative, but have to replace frequently then it’s probably costing you more than it should.
- Procurement – Consider what material, what application and what tool drive, all of these elements go hand in hand when selecting the best abrasive product.
- Not just a bolt on – Abrasives are not simply the end point of the process with something bolted on the tools, they are an extremely important factor. Why go to the trouble of buying the best possible tool and then putting the cheapest, low quality abrasive on it. It’s like the analogy of buying a high-end supercar and putting remould tyres on it, don’t be tempted, it was cause problems in the long run.
- Ease of use – Consider ergonomics, lower vibration, reduced noise and dust, these all make the job easier, plus it helps in regards to compliance and health and safety issues.
- Specialist applications – Special metals require special abrasive products, you may need to look at something bespoke rather than off the shelf in some instances.
- Feedback – Team work is key, the decision of tool drive and the abrasive on the end of it need to be looked at as a team to ensure buy-in.
Choosing the right consumables ensures you get the best return on your investment. Our dedicated sales engineers have industrial experience and will advise on the best, most cost-effective route to keep your tools running at maximum efficiency and keeping your workforce protected. We take the time to understand each client’s requirements and consider each tools application to recommend the right solution.
Contact the team at Abbey Industrial Solutions today to learn how we can help you maximise your manufacturing productivity: discover@abbeyis.co.uk | 01924 224240
