Six common tips for grinding, drilling

1 – Specify the grinding wheels correctly

1. 1. Keep in mind in advance the quality you want for the glass edge finish. From there, consult machine and grinding wheel manufacturers to determine the best combination.

1. 1. Polishing wheels are mass produced in grain sizes #40, #60, #80, #120, #150 and #180 mesh, the latter having a finer finish. It is not recommended to use a fine-grained grinding wheel immediately after coarse diamond grinding, as this will cause greater wear on the polishing wheel. In these cases, it is recommended to use an intermediate grain, and only then a finer one.

1. 1. Avoid mixing grinding wheels from different manufacturers. Grinding wheels are developed together, with each wheel being designed based on its pair, creating a sequence of grain size, structure and hardness to obtain the best finish or performance.

1. 1. When purchasing a machine abroad, consult us, as we are the only national manufacturer of grinding wheels and Polivetro, which we represent, is a manufacturer of polishing wheels. In some cases, it is necessary to develop special tools and the Brazilian industry is prepared for this type of need.

2 – Wash your lapidary, beveling or drilling machine with plenty of water

Wash according to the level of use, as the accumulation of glass dust can cause failures and corrective maintenance. Follow our suggestion below:

If the company also works on Saturdays, replace the Friday washes with Saturday washes.

3 – Ensure adequate refrigeration

1. 1. The contact of the grinding wheels (diamond or polishing) with the water must occur a little before the point of contact between the grinding wheel and the glass. Some equipment requires this adjustment to be made manually.

1. 1. Be aware of possible water pump failures. A drop in electrical voltage could be one of the causes.

1. 1. Air bubbles may form in the cooling pipe. Check for this possibility if you suspect a problem.

1. 1. The cooling pipes may become clogged with glass dust. Check regularly and correct the problem with a metal rod or air nozzle.

1. 1. Replace hoses when they become hardened or have little water flow.

1. 1. Change the water regularly. The colder and cleaner it is, the better it cools.

1. 1. In the case of a large number of grinding and beveling machines, an automatic processing unit may be the best choice.

1. 1. If laminated glass is being polished, it is necessary to prevent the pieces of PVB that come loose during this type of polishing from reaching the cooling hose. Use a screen on the water return to the machine tank and clean it constantly.

4 – Perform basic preventive maintenance on equipment

1. 1. Lubricate grease fittings and all recommended components, according to the equipment manufacturer's manual.

1. 1. Take care of the chuck below the grinding wheel, including the mechanical and electronic parts.

1. 1. Center the grinding wheels well.

1. 1. Periodically remove the grinding wheels and clean the flanges.

5 – Adjust the advance speed and pressure appropriately

1. 1. Although it is possible to create a table that indicates the ideal machine advance speed for each situation, the market usually works intuitively in this process. The best cost-benefit should be sought according to the level of customer demand, following the scheme found on this site.

1. 1. Remember that in cases of beveling, as there is a larger layer of glass to be removed, the advance speed must be reduced even further, compared to simple edge grinding.

6 – Use the appropriate rotation for the equipment

Some polishers and other types of equipment require that the speed be reduced when polishing. Always check the equipment manual for this subject.
If basic care is not taken, just like a car tire, grinding or polishing wheels can wear out in up to a quarter of their useful life.