Revolutionizing Diamond Tool Manufacturing

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WORCESTER, MA (November, 13, 2015) – In the early 80's, Norton changed the diamond blade market by developing the process of laser welding diamond segments to a steel center. This allowed, for the first time, laser-welded diamond products to be used without water on a wide range of masonry and construction materials, while maintaining speed of cut and product life compared with conventional abrasive blades.


Today, Norton has developed Infiltrated High-Density Technology (i-HDTM) which, combined with the patented laser welding process is a significant breakthrough in diamond tool technology. Research and development of i-HDTM has led to further improvements in blade performance, safer products, lower energy manufacturing needs and a wider availability of segment design.


Igor Giglio, World Director of Product Management and Strategy for Norton Construction Products, claims “the infiltration process applied to segment manufacturing is already known but we have applied an innovative manufacturing process that allows us to laser weld these special shaped segments on to the steel center. We reach a much faster tool cutting speed, improved by +30% on average, with a very high and very uniform density across the whole segment that makes the product last at least 20% longer than those made by the standard process’’.


i-HDTM technology works by providing a uniform density across each whole segment without applying high pressure (as seen in the standard process). A special bond impregnates the core structure and binds the diamond grit into the segment. The diamond grit is an integral part of the segment structure. “This allows a higher resistance to bending, resulting in 60% higher torque resistance for laser welded segments’’ states Vincent Hays, World Director of R&D at Norton Construction Products.


About Norton
Norton is a brand of Saint-Gobain. Founded in 1885, Norton manufactured the first precision-made and mass-produced grinding wheel, and was one of first producers of commercial coated abrasives. Today, Norton-brand products are used widely across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, aerospace, electronics and automotive, among others. In 1990, Norton was acquired by Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the manufacture of engineered materials, headquartered in France. To learn more about Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ Norton brand capabilities and offerings, please visit: http://www.nortonconstructionproducts.com

 

Contact:
Chadd Lafond, Product Manager at Chadd.M.Lafond@Saint-Gobain.com