What Test Should be Performed on Abrasive Wheels
Abrasive wheels are used in many industries, working on materials varying greatly in hardness. This means that the wheels start off harder for one application and begin to wear away quickly, making them hard to test a specific point of their lifespan. They have many tests performed on them including abrasion resistance, penetration resistance and chemical resistance. While most tests are pricey, understanding how a wheel will withstand certain harsh conditions can help avoid unnecessary amounts of money being spent on replacement wheels.
Rotation Speed Test
This test is used to determine the rotation speed of a wheel. It can be used for a variety of applications, such as:
- The determination of the maximum allowable speed for a particular wheel.
- Determination of the frequency at which a wheel should be rotated in order to avoid overheating.
- Determination of the frequency at which a wheel should be inspected for cracks or other damage which may lead to failure during operation or service life.
Incorrect Mounting
Abrasive wheels are very important to the manufacturing of automobiles, engines, and other products. These wheels are used to remove material from metal components. The wheels can become damaged due to improper mounting, which can lead to serious injuries.
The following is a list of common problems with abrasive wheels:
- Incorrect mounting of the abrasive wheel onto the spindle or shaft. This can cause damage to the bearings and other internal parts of the machine.
- Improper use of an abrasive wheel in a machine designed for another type of wheel. This will result in excessive wear and premature failure of the spindle or shaft.
- Failure to maintain proper alignment between an abrasive wheel and its bearings during operation. This may result in improper operation or failure of one or more bearings.
Obstructions and Foreign Bodies
The most common tests are:
- Obstructions and Foreign Bodies. These can include pieces of the wheel material or other debris that have become lodged in the wheel.
- Impact Resistance. Abrasive wheels that impact on each other can easily break apart, so this is an important test to ensure that all abrasive wheels will be able to withstand impact with other wheels during use.
- Fatigue Resistance. This test ensures that the abrasive wheel will not crack under repeated use by performing a number of cycles on the wheel at different loads and different speeds.
- Durability Test. This test checks how long it takes for an abrasive wheel to wear down when used under normal conditions.
Damaged Guard on the Wheel
There are a number of things that can cause damage to the guard on an abrasive wheel. It’s important to know what caused the damage so that you can prevent it from happening again.
Here are some common reasons for damaged guards:
- Worn out wheels
The main reason for damaged guard is worn out abrasive wheels. Worn out wheels will not hold your work piece properly and could cause the entire assembly to come apart during the grinding process. This can result in serious injury if the wheel comes off its axle and flies across the shop floor at high speed. To avoid this situation, you should replace worn out wheels immediately with new ones.
- Improperly lubricated wheels
Incorrect lubrication can also cause damage to your abrasive wheel guard. Most guards come with an oiling hole to make it easier for you to apply oil or grease to them whenever necessary. If you don’t use proper lubricant, then your guard will wear out quickly and become ineffective at protecting your hands from flying debris and sparks.
Contaminated Abrasive Wheels
Contaminated wheels are your number one source of safety issues in the shop. Abrasive wheels are made from many different materials, but they all have one thing in common: they’re extremely hard on your cutting tool. When the cutting edge of a tool is worn down, it becomes dull and brittle. Dull tools break easily and can cause injury if mishandled. The best way to prevent these problems is to replace your abrasive wheels frequently.
Abrasive wheel contamination is caused by the buildup of small particles of metal or other material that can damage your tools or injure you. Contamination could be caused by using an abrasive wheel that’s too small for the job or by using a worn out abrasive wheel.
The solution for contaminated abrasive wheels: Replace them! Do not use contaminated abrasive wheels because they will cause premature wear on your cutting tool and increase downtime due to frequent tool replacement/repair costs
Abrasive wheels must be tested for cracks and damage before being used
This ensures that the correct material is being used and that your abrasive products will not fail prematurely.
Abrasive wheel testing should be performed at regular intervals to ensure that your abrasive wheels are still suitable for use. If you are unsure about how often you should test your abrasive wheels, speak to a member of our team who can give you advice on the best course of action.
Conclusion
This investigation determined that the company failed to provide safety and health training to employees using abrasive wheels, which resulted in an employee suffering injuries from wheel rotation. This hazard is a result of the nature of the activity performed by employees. The wheel is accelerated by downward force at high speeds, resulting in severe abrasions or lacerations. Educating employees and providing proper protective equipment will ensure worker safety in this area.
