Saint-Gobain Abrasives, the world's largest abrasives manufacturer, has recently introduced Norton Paradigm Diamond and CBN Wheels, which are positioned in the "Best" tier of Norton grinding products. Paradigm wheels feature a new proprietary, patent-pending bond delivering high grinding performance on carbide and high-speed steel round tool fluting, resulting in exceptionally fast cycle times and low cost per parts. "The new patent pending bond on Paradigm Diamond and CBN wheels enables high-performance, one-pass flute grinding for highly efficient round tool manufacturing operations," said Matt Simmers, product manager at Norton. For maximum productivity, new Norton Paradigm wheels are online and offline truable. Wheels are wear/load resistant for superior grinding on 6 to 12 percent cobalt, and offer better control over core growth. A high grain retention and uniform structure provides a high G-ratio (ratio of material removal rate versus wheel wear) up to 2.5x longer wheel life and a 30 percent higher material removal rate than other superabrasive wheels. Paradigm Diamond and CBN Wheels also offer low specific cutting energy, which enables faster grinding with a lower power draw and less burn. All Paradigm Diamond and CBN Wheels are custom-manufactured to precisely meet end-user requirements. Wheels are available for Anca, Makino, Rollomatic, Star, Walter and other leading grinding systems. Diamond wheels are available for tungsten carbide and CBN wheels are offered for high-speed steel applications.

Additionally, Norton Abrasives offers Machine to Grind (MTG) for gear manufacture. MTG eliminates rough cutting the gears through the use of formed cutters, broaching or hobbing. Grinding from solid eliminates the need for a cutting/milling machine and all the complementary tooling and equipment required to start and maintain the rough cutting operation. Norton MTG wheel specifications create the flexibility to combine grinding in the soft state from solid to hard finishing with only one grinder.

Opportunities for this method include small to medium job shops where there are two similar machining operations followed by grinding or an antiquated cutting machine has caused the need for a rough machining process followed by a rough grind before the heat treat and finally a finish grind. Industries include aerospace, land-based, heavy, off-road truck gears (soft machine, hardened and finish grind). For further analysis on the specifications and test data please visit the booth N-7051 at IMTS.