October 15-17, 2024 at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida
FABTECH
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Expo Hours
| Tuesday Oct 15 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Wednesday Oct 16 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Thursday Oct 17 | 9 AM — 4 PM |
Venue
Orange County Convention Center
9800 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
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By Jennifer Dallos on on
Maximizing productivity and quality when cutting metal with a right-angle grinder depends on many factors, including choosing the right abrasive and using it properly.
- Use motion through the cut. Cutting abrasives are like knife blades. Downward pressure results in the blade dulling much faster compared to a slicing motion. Abrasive grains are similar. Using a sliding or rocking motion in the direction of the cut is recommended — moving the wheel into and through the workpiece rather than straight down. Allow the wheel to pull itself through the workpiece rather than trying to force it through. This minimizes friction and force, and helps extend the life of the cutting grains.
- Don’t push too hard. Pressure and heat are the biggest enemies of abrasive cutting products. Pushing too hard is a common pitfall because it’s human nature to think pushing harder on the wheel will make it perform better. But pressure doesn’t provide better cutting speed and only builds heat and friction, potentially binding or damaging the wheel. Increased heat and friction shortens wheel life considerably. Let the wheel do as much of the work as possible in the cut.
- Clamp the workpiece properly. When the workpiece isn’t properly clamped to a work surface, the metal can move and slide around as the operator is cutting it. A clamp that’s too far away from the cut line of the workpiece can also result in greater vibration, which can bind or damage the wheel. It’s important to clamp the workpiece properly and for the operator to consider how he or she can best see the piece to control it. The clamp can be oriented differently depending on operator preference and comfort. Never attempt to make a cut of any length or depth without properly and securely clamping the workpiece.
- Approach from the proper angle. Cutting wheels are designed to make straight, in-line cuts. They should be used at a 90-deg angle perpendicular to the work surface; an improper angle can cause binding. The thinner the wheel, the more critical it is to use a 90-deg orientation to approach the part. Thicker wheels are more tolerant and will generally last longer. Thinner cutting wheels cut faster and leave a cleaner cut line with smaller burrs. Operators should find an ergonomic position for their body that allows them to actually see the wheel entering the cut line — whatever is most comfortable for them to follow proper technique. Always enter the cut from the point of least resistance. When cutting corners or square profiles, this means entering from the sharp corner for the least amount of surface contact to start the cut.
- Follow the direction of rotation. Every right-angle grinder is marked with a directional arrow on the head of the grinder that indicates the direction the wheel is rotating when in use. For optimal performance, it’s important to orient the cutting wheel so it rotates into and pulls itself into the workpiece rather than rotating away from the workpiece. This allows the wheel to cut more efficiently and with less effort from the operator. A wheel that rotates away from the workpiece also presents a safety hazard for the operator because any kickback will throw the wheel back toward the operator. Be aware that die grinders typically do not have a directional arrow, so operators using a die grinder with a cutting wheel should pay close attention to what direction the wheel is spinning. Anytime an operator feels the wheel binding in the cut (hearing the RPMs drop can be a sign of binding), it’s important to come to a complete stop and take the wheel out of the cut line to assess the problem. After inspecting the wheel for cracks or damage, allow the wheel to come up to full free-speed before re-entering the cut. Never restart a cutting wheel while it is inside a cut.
- Choose the right wheel thickness. The thinner the face of the cutting wheel, the smoother and faster it will track in the cut. A thicker wheel will cut slower but last longer, particularly when cutting harder or thicker workpieces, and provide more abrasive, in-direct contact with the base material. This increased surface contact, however, also increases friction and heat. A .045-in. wheel is common in many cutting applications. When cutting sheet metal or thinner-gauge material, thinner wheels, such as a 1-mm wheel, may be a better option. Thicker base material holds more heat and will generate more surface contact and friction. When thinner wheels are used on thicker material, heat and friction will affect wheel life and durability.
FABTECH 2024
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to Orange County Convention Center in October 2024. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
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