Metal Bond Grinding Tools: Strong and Resilient
At Continental Diamond Tool (CDT), we take pride in the excellence of our Metal Bond grinding wheels and tools, designed for unmatched strength and resilience. Our commitment to product quality and customer service sets us apart in the industry.
In this video and article below, you’ll get an inside look at our process and team. Learn why CDT has been a leader in custom Metal Bond grinding tool manufacturing for more than half a century. See inside our metal bond department and discover these reliable superabrasive solutions for industrial grinding of difficult materials such as carbide, ceramics, and glass.
Precision and Innovation in Metal Bond Grinding Wheel Manufacturing
Dedication to quality is evident in every step of our manufacturing process at Continental Diamond Tool. "CDT has invested heavily in the quality of our product over the years, improving the dimensional aspects of it and the performance of the product overall," explains Brian Yates, CDT Metal Bond Supervisor. We are dedicated to keeping pace with the latest technology to ever improve our products and processes. This commitment to quality ensures that our metal bond grinding wheels not only meet but exceed customer standards.
Lucas Tapp, a design engineer at CDT, further elaborates on the unique properties of our metal bond diamond wheels: "Metal bond is probably the hardest diamond tool that CDT manufactures. It's good at low RPMs and dissipates heat very quickly, which creates a better result for grinding."
As grinding professionals know, adequate heat dissipation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of both the tool and the material being worked on. Excessive heat can cause burning, reduced workpiece quality, and shorter tool life. It is Metal Bond’s exceptional properties that have led our engineers to incorporate elements from this time-tested bond type into our innovative EVO Hybrid Bond line. This new line is breaking production records in the cutting tools industry, showcasing the enduring value and adaptability of Metal Bond technology.
About Metal Bond Diamond Tools
Metal bond grinding tools offer the long life and low maintenance that many precision manufacturing processes need to be competitive. Suitable for all levels of both wet and dry grinding, these wheels are built for endurance and performance. Metal bonded diamond tools are created from the sintering of powdered metals and other compounds with Diamond or Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN). These superabrasives held in a metallic bond produce an extremely strong product that holds its shape.
Metal Bond wheels have the hardest matrix, performing best in operations under flood coolant. Because they have such a slow wear rate, metal bond wheels require less maintenance and downtime for dressing. Dressing is a process that removes material from the grinding wheel to release dull grit, expose new edges, and re-true its shape. Metal Bond’s hardness and long tool life makes it a favorite for many industries.
The Manufacturing Process
The creation of a custom metal bonded diamond grinding wheel is a meticulous process, involving several key steps to ensure precision and reliability. We start by machining the core to the customer’s precise specifications before custom molding the diamond abrasive with our graphite process. The diamond section is then sintered, where the powdered metals and abrasives are heated to temperatures of almost 2,000 degrees fahrenheit, causing them to coalesce and adhere to the core in a solid or porous mass. Once formed, the tool is machined again to tighter tolerances, then polished, balanced, marked, and shipped.
In the video, Lucas shares a glimpse into the strengths of our manufacturing process: "We have state-of-the-art technology here at CDT that allows us to create a very precise, consistent product for our customers. When customers come to CDT, they're surprised by the cleanliness, our efficiency, and the amount of investment we've made in process innovation through automation and quality control systems.”
The Importance of Customer Service
At CDT, customer service is not just a department; it’s a commitment that is central to our culture. Brian Yates, our Metal Bond Supervisor, emphasizes this dedication: "Here at CDT, customer service is very important to us. I know personally that anytime a customer runs out of a tool, I will drop whatever I'm doing and get that product out as soon as possible."
Our team understands the importance of timely delivery: our customers depend on it to maintain their operational efficiency. It’s our job to do everything in our power to deliver the tools they need when they need them.
Applications and Benefits
Metal bond tools are versatile and can be used in many applications. "Primarily, we recommend metal bond for grinding carbide, ceramics, and glass. We also make a rotary dresser that helps dress other grinding wheels," Lucas elaborates.
Common Industry Applications: Metalworking, Cylindrical, Surface, Cutoff, Tool & Cutter, Core Drills, Hole Saws, Reamers, Dressing Disks, Custom Tools.
Recommended Materials: Tungsten Carbide, Ceramics, Glass, Ferrites, Powdered Metals, Titanium Graphite Composite.
OEM Machine Compatibility: DMG Mori, Makino, Rollomatic.
Metal bond diamond wheels are both durable and efficient, providing superior performance in demanding environments.
Customization and Expertise
Metal Bond is perhaps the best known bond material, thanks to its long history and overall utility. Continental Diamond Tool has been manufacturing Metal Bond diamond tools and metal bonded diamond grinding wheels since 1973.
At CDT production of each tool is tailored according to our customer’s specific dimensions and abrasive requirements. The product is custom designed to the application and the industry. To select the best bond and abrasive type, we look at a variety of characteristics, including material, grinding machine, dressing method, volume of parts, coolant type, stock removal, and current grinding process. Through customization, we improve the efficiency and enhance the productivity of our customers.
"Our products undergo rigorous testing and numerous quality checks to ensure that each CDT tool is tailored to the customer’s needs,” explains Lucas Tapp. CDT’s product warranty guarantees that every tool we manufacture must meet or exceed our customer’s past experience based on the quality or lifespan of their current tooling, or we will only charge according to its value, based upon their current tooling cost.*
We are proud of our half a century in building metal bonded diamond tools. Our team continuously strives to innovate and improve our products to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Extending the Life of Metal Bond Grinding Tools
To extend the lifespan of your metal bond grinding tools, we suggest these helpful tips:
Use the correct type and size of grinding wheel for your material and application.
Employ proper coolant to prevent overheating.
Clean and maintain the tool with dressing as part of your process to remove dust and debris and expose new diamond crystals.
Store the tools in a dry, clean place to prevent moisture or any chemical exposure.
Conduct regular inspections for signs of wear, damage, or malfunction.
By following these guidelines, Continental Diamond Tool's Metal Bond grinding products will deliver exceptional performance for a very long time.
Delivering Excellence
At Continental Diamond Tool, our metal bond team is dedicated to delivering the strongest and most resilient metal bond grinding wheels with unmatched durability, performance, and customer satisfaction. Click here to explore our full range of superabrasive solutions custom designed for precision grinding applications and discover why CDT is a trusted name in the industry.