Grinding Disc Safety

Grinding is an abrasive method of cutting materials. It uses a grinding disc, or wheel, to cut mechanically through different substances. Grinding wheels must be used by professionals who understand not only how the grinding process works, but also have a thorough knowledge of the inherent safety risks. Misuse of a grinding wheel can result in serious injuries.

Characteristics

• There are five characteristics of a grinding wheel. The first is the material. The material must be abrasive to cut properly. Based on the hardness of the material being cut, the grinding wheel varies in its components. The main components of the material of the grinding wheel are aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, diamond, and cubic boron nitride. The second characteristic is the grain size. The larger the grain, the freer the cut will be. But if a smaller grain is used, a finer surface will be produced. The third component is wheel size, which ranges from soft to hard. The fourth is grain spacing. A less dense wheel will cut more freely. The final component is the wheel bond, which has an effect on the finished surface of what is being cut.

Types

• The most common type of grinding wheel is the straight wheel. They are generally used for surface grinding. The cylindrical grinding wheel can be used to produce straight surfaces. The tapered wheel is used for grinding machinery parts such as gear teeth. The dish cup allows for grinding in small areas such as crevices. The diamond wheel is the most substantially strong wheel. It uses the diamond bits to cut through extremely hard materials such as other gem stones and concrete.

Use

• Using a grinding wheel involves very close monitoring of safe practice. First, the grinding wheel must be clamped onto a grinding machine securely, so that it won't come loose during usage. To do this, first select the right type of grinding wheel and clamp it accordingly. The second step in preparing to use a grinding wheel is to dress it properly. Dressing entails removing the abrasives that may be stuck onto the grinding wheel from previous use. The final step is making sure the grinding wheel is parallel to the surface against it to ensure an accurate surface.

Preparation for Use

• The wheel must be "sounded" before use. To sound a grinding wheel, suspend the wheel from a rope and tap it with an object such as a wooden stick. The wheel should make a sharp ring when hit. If the wheel is damaged, it will instead make a dull thud. The second step before using a grinding wheel is to check if the clamps are securely fastened so that the wheel will not come loose during use.

Injuries

• The main injuries that pose a risk while using a grinding wheel include eye injuries, cuts and amputations, hearing loss and inhalation of toxic particles. Eye injuries occur when flying particles from the material the wheel is grinding fly into the person's face. To prevent this, always wear goggles while using a grinding wheel. Cuts and amputations occur when disintegrating parts of the grinding wheel come off the wheel and cut the person using it. To avoid this, the person using the grinding wheel must always make sure his wheel is up-to-date. Hearing loss can occur from the extremely loud noise a grinding wheel produces, so ear plugs should be worn during use. Inhalation of toxic chemicals can from toxic particles flying from either the grinding wheel or the material it is grinding. Persons using a grinding wheel should use a face mask while the grinding wheel is in use.