Saint-Gobain Abrasives has introduced CarbonForce, a new lightweight line of vitrified CBN wheels for OD grinding. With proprietary high-strength carbon fiber cores, CarbonForce wheels are 75 percent lighter than heavier steel-hubbed wheels and provide the safety and performance-enhancing benefits of a precision superabrasive wheel, according to the company.

With their lightweight carbon fiber core, CarbonForce wheels reduce labor costs and strain on the operator and often eliminate the need for a crane because they meet most safe lifting weight limits. The wheels exhibit high strength vs. centrifugal force and have been qualified to run at MOS of 31,496 fpm (160 m/s) for wheels with an OD greater than 7.9" (200mm). In addition, the low thermal expansion of the carbon fiber increases safety and performance.

The combination of a robust, thermally stable, lighter weight core with vibration dampening technologies and an advanced vitrified CBN bond system means CarbonForce wheels require less operator intervention to control part quality. This dynamic combination reduces dressing frequency, while increasing wheel life.

The new Norton wheels provide dramatically reduced cycle times by allowing the operator to mount four CarbonForce wheels vs. one steel rim wheel onto a four-phase cam shaft for simultaneous grinding of all four lobes in one operation. Cycle time, changeovers, dressing frequency and labor costs can all be reduced by up to 75 percent by changing out all four wheels.

The lightweight design of CarbonForce wheels extends bearing, spindle and overall machine life and reduces power draw and energy consumption for acceleration and deceleration in linear and rotary movement. All wheels are also equipped with a steel bushing to ensure long life of the wheel bore.

All Norton CarbonForce wheels are made-to-order with a maximum diameter of 1,000mm and a maximum width of 650mm. Large, complex wheel set designs are available with CarbonForce's compact, lightweight core.