What Are Industrial Grinding Wheels?
Types, Applications, and Selection Guide

Industrial Grinding Wheels (Grinding Wheels) are machining tools used for grinding, polishing, deburring, and surface finishing of metals and a wide variety of materials.

Although they are collectively referred to as industrial grinding wheels, their characteristics and suitable applications vary significantly depending on the combination of abrasive grains (the cutting particles), bonding material (bond), grit size, and wheel grade (bond hardness).

The required performance of a grinding wheel also changes according to the machining objective and the material being processed.

For example, some machining operations require high grinding performance for efficient material removal, while others require the wheel to maintain the workpiece shape while producing a smooth surface finish.

Therefore, selecting the appropriate grinding wheel for the intended machining process is a key factor that directly influences machining quality and productivity.

This article explains the basic principles of industrial grinding wheels, their types, applications, and key selection points in an easy-to-understand manner.

What Are Industrial Grinding Wheels?

Industrial Grinding Wheels are machining tools that hold abrasive grains together with a bonding material (bond) to remove material, polish, and finish workpieces.

Cutting processes alone may not always achieve the required dimensional accuracy or surface quality. For this reason, many manufacturing operations combine grinding and polishing processes after cutting to improve machining quality.

The machining characteristics of industrial grinding wheels vary depending on the combination of abrasive grains, bonding material, grit size, and wheel grade.

The performance required of a grinding wheel differs according to the application and machining conditions, meaning that a single grinding wheel cannot handle every type of machining operation.

Main Types of Industrial Grinding Wheels

The characteristics of industrial grinding wheels vary depending on the combination of abrasive grains and bonding materials. The major types are summarized below.

The characteristics of industrial grinding wheels vary according to the abrasive grains and bonding materials used. The important point is not which grinding wheel is superior, but rather selecting the most suitable grinding wheel based on the machining application, workpiece material, and required surface quality.

Applications and Purposes of Industrial Grinding Wheels

Industrial Grinding Wheels are used in a variety of machining processes depending on the intended application.

The primary applications and purposes are as follows.

Automotive components, aerospace parts, molds, precision valves, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment components require not only high dimensional accuracy but also excellent surface quality.

For this reason, manufacturers typically do not rely on a single grinding wheel throughout the entire machining process. Instead, using the most suitable grinding wheel for each machining stage is essential for maintaining consistent machining quality.

How to Select an Industrial Grinding Wheel

Selecting an industrial grinding wheel requires evaluating the workpiece material, machining process, and required surface quality as a whole.

The following factors should be considered when selecting a grinding wheel.

• Workpiece material (hardness and material characteristics)
• Machining process (grinding, deburring, polishing, etc.)
• Required surface quality (target surface roughness)
• Workpiece shape (flat surfaces, curved surfaces, or complex geometries)
• Machining equipment (grinders, machining centers, dedicated machines, etc.)
• Machining conditions (rotational speed, feed rate, dry or wet machining)

For example:

• Conventional Grinding Wheels with high rigidity and excellent grinding performance are often selected for processes requiring significant material removal.
• Rubber Grinding Stones (Elastic Grinding Stones), which conform more easily to the workpiece surface, are often selected for fine deburring and surface finishing.

In addition, when machining difficult-to-machine materials such as aluminum, which can be prone to wheel loading, or workpieces with curved or complex shapes, the characteristics of the grinding wheel can have a direct impact on machining quality. Therefore, careful tool selection becomes even more important.

Rubber Grinding Stones as an Alternative

Rubber Grinding Stones are a type of industrial grinding wheel that uses rubber as the bonding material (bond). Their rubber elasticity allows the wheel to conform more easily to the shape of the workpiece, making it easier to achieve a uniform finish while suppressing excessive localized cutting.

In addition, the elasticity of the rubber absorbs machining impact, making the wheel less prone to bouncing or chatter than rigid grinding wheels. As a result, stable machining can be achieved more easily.

Another characteristic is the Self-Sharpening Action. As the rubber bond wears gradually during machining, worn abrasive grains are released and new abrasive grains are exposed. Depending on the application and machining conditions, this helps maintain cutting performance while reducing wheel loading.

In general, Rubber Grinding Stones are primarily used for polishing and final finishing applications.

However, Daiwa Rabin Co., Ltd. has developed proprietary technology that enables certain Elastic Grinding Stones—particularly the CM Series—to provide excellent grinding performance in addition to the typical characteristics of Rubber Grinding Stones.

Depending on the application and machining conditions, these products can be used for:

• Grinding
• Polishing
• Deburring
• Surface Finishing

They can also contribute to improved manufacturing efficiency by reducing the number of machining processes and shortening processing time.

For non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and brass, some products may help reduce wheel loading and enable stable continuous machining, depending on the application and machining conditions. During deburring, they may also help suppress secondary burr formation, making it easier to achieve a consistent finish.

Please note that the machining capabilities and performance vary depending on the product specifications, including grit size, wheel grade, shape, and abrasive grain type. Selecting the appropriate product for the intended machining application is important.

Conclusion

Industrial Grinding Wheels are essential machining tools used not only for material removal but also for grinding, deburring, polishing, and surface finishing in a wide range of manufacturing processes.

Each type of grinding wheel has its own strengths. Selecting the appropriate grinding wheel according to the workpiece material, component geometry, and required surface quality leads to stable machining quality and improved production efficiency.

Rubber Grinding Stones take advantage of their conformity to the workpiece and Self-Sharpening Action, making them suitable for polishing and finishing applications.

In addition to the general characteristics of Rubber Grinding Stones, Daiwa Rabin Co., Ltd. offers Elastic Grinding Stones that, depending on the product, also provide excellent grinding performance—particularly the CM Series. Depending on the application and machining conditions, these products can handle processes ranging from grinding and deburring to polishing and surface finishing, providing an additional option for selecting the most suitable tool for each machining process.

We offer Elastic Grinding Stones tailored to your workpiece material, machining application, and equipment. If you are unsure which grinding wheel is best suited for your process, please feel free to contact us. Sample products are also available upon request.