Using Diamond Tools for Cutting
Diamond is so far the hardest known substance on earth and its hardness is put to a number of applications, the most important of which is cutting. Diamond tools are cutting tools in which segments of diamond are used in order to cut through different kinds of hard materials.
Mostly, these diamond tools are used for cutting various construction materials like concrete, bricks, and cinder blocks. Other materials which are cut by means of diamond-edged tools include granite, porcelain, asphalt, and marble etc. Some hard materials like steel or iron should not be cut with diamond tools because diamond is made of carbon that may dissolve into the work piece, causing wearing of the tool and difficulty in completing the cutting work.
Categories of Diamond Tools
Diamond tools can be classified into five main categories: dressing tools, polycrystalline diamond cutting tools, paste and slurry, electroplated tools, and single point diamond turning tools. Diamond dressing tools are primarily used in the automobile industry, particularly for truing and dressing of grinding wheels.
Polycrystalline diamond cutting (PCD) tools find their use mostly in cutting/shaping nonmetallic and nonferrous materials. Pastes and slurry of diamond serve the purpose of polishing certain materials including glass and diamonds. Electroplated tools of diamond are primarily used as files or for minor grinding work but also for manufacturing nail files. Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) tools are very useful in the optical industry.
User's Guidelines
For getting the best performance while working with diamond tools, it is important to take care of some basic guidelines. First of all, it is necessary to use the right kind of tool for the kind of cutting work at hand. Then, it is important to select the right kind of RPMs for the diamond tools; RPMs that run too slow or get too speedy can harm the tools by producing extra heat.
Also central to the condition and performance of diamond tools is using the right type of coolant for taking away the heat generated during the cutting process. The coolant is used at the point of contact between the diamond tool and the material being worked. Dressing the new tools before using and redressing regularly while in use also make the tools last longer and do their job well.
Another factor of significant import in maintaining the condition of one's diamond tools is using the right kind of accessories with the types of material being cut. Wheel stiffener sets, for example, are used for making the diamond blade more rigid for cutting certain hard materials. Finally, if the diamond tools are used regularly, it is advisable to alter the machinery so as to make room for variable speed capability.
