Maintaining a balance between cost efficiency and production output.

Continuous load shedding is having a massive impact on normal day to day business operations within the country, where production costs are increasing rapidly, forcing down profits. As a business owner there is a tough trade off to be made, where it comes down to either persisting in efforts to increase efficiency within the manufacturing process in order to increase profits in the long run, or eventually close up shop.

Grinding Techniques, a local manufacturer of specialised abrasive products since 1981, understands the importance of maintaining a balance between cost efficiency and production output. Providing application solutions that offer optimum results in terms of stock removal and longevity not only ensures increased production while faced with lost time during load shedding, but also serves as a tool for overall cost reduction.

A key factor to consider is using correctly powered machines during application. An abrasive product can only produce optimal results when used on sufficiently powered machines, as under-powered machines could lose peripheral speed on application when pressure is applied, resulting in the abrasive not performing to its full potential. A 230mm grinding disc for example, used on a too low-powered angle grinder, could potentially cause the disc to perform too soft on application, leading to inadequate stock removal.

On the other hand, selecting the best abrasive for the application is also critical as, abrasives contain bond structures that holds the grain in place long enough to perform the stock removal, or cutting application, using the correct abrasive will allow the abrasive to be used up to the perfect point where dull grain is released to expose the next sharp grain to continue with the application.

Some grains like ceramic, requires a lot of pressure to break down in order to expose new sharper grains. Known as the ultimate in stock removal, abrasives manufactured with ceramic grains require application machines with higher surface operating speeds and stronger motors.

Foundry fettling shops require grinding media that deliver fast and high stock removal, especially in cases where massive risers must be removed from high chrome castings. Conventional aluminium oxide grinding discs usually cause the high-chrome casting to heat up, causing the operator to stop and allow the casting to cool down before carrying on with the fettling operation, delaying output, coupled with load shedding down time, reducing overall productivity.

With new sintered aluminium oxide being used in the manufacturing of our premium grinding discs, a much cooler grind is achieved on application, when combined with a high-powered angle grinder, aiding in overall efficiency, and increased production, as there is no need to stop and let the casting cool down.

This also hold true with newer developments of CNC grinding machines within the precision grinding industry. Using a newly developed specialised bonding system that keeps sintered aluminium oxide grain in place on application, in conjunction with optimal coolant conditions, we were able to significantly reduce grinding time on certain roll grinding applications from several hours when using grinding wheels manufactured from conventional aluminium oxide grains, down to just less than an hour.

Using only the best in raw materials, Grinding Techniques bring premium abrasives to the market. Tried and tested over the years, we have succeeded in many areas to increase efficiency within precision grinding applications.

Whatever your application requirement, Grinding Techniques say they have the solution to increase both your manufacturing efficiency and long-term profits. Grinding Techniques is a local manufacturer and supplier of specialised abrasive products.

For further information contact Grinding Techniques on TEL: 011 271 6400 or email info@grindtech.com or visit www.grindtech.com