Superabrasive Manufacturing: The Industries We Serve
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