Optimised Polishing Wheels for Glass Edges

Artifex Dr. Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG will be presenting the product group AO Q, a new generation of polishing wheels, at glasstec 2008. The product title AO BC 6 here stands for an abrasive-infiltrated polyurethane foam bond. The new tools were developed for one and two-sided machines for automatic edge finishing for flat, laminated safety and thick glass.



Colour-Coded for more Safety



With the new product series it is now possible at first sight to distinguish the grit size of the new polishing tools by their colour. The colours here range from blue (grit size AO 40 BQ 6), green (AO 60 BC 6) and red (AO 80 BC 6) to yellow (AO 120 BC 6). The idea behind this new colour coding is easier handling of the polishing wheels, says Artifex, as the clear coding ensures the right wheels are fitted to the polishing machine.



Segmentation improves Laminated Glass Finishing



Artifex says the tools in its new product line are also a reaction to the special requirements resulting from the finishing of laminated safety glass with flat glass polishing machines. It seems in the past there were practical problems as small particles on the lamination film affected surface treatment. During the polishing process the film smeared and caused smudging on the edge of the laminated safety glass. This then caused the surfaces of the polishing wheels to stick.



To solve the problem Artifex came up with segmented wheels. These wheels are designed in such a way that they ensure clean removal of interlayer material and rinse off any debris produced during the polishing process by means of a strong and even flow of water through the cavities of the different segments. The company recommends glass workers use the segmented wheels even with thick sheets without a film “as the special design of the tools frees the material even from the finest glass particles.”



Different Models



The polishing wheels with polyurethane bond (BQ) convince users, say Artifex, thanks to perfect grit adhesion, long life, great edge stability and very good polishing results requiring minimal contact pressure.



The BQ bond is offered as cup wheels in various dimensions, on a carrier base or as monoblocs in closed and segmented form.



For machine types with polishing tools with tappet holes Artifex recommends the use of cup wheels on a base. The extreme stability of the plastic base significantly increases the resistence to torsion.