World first at EuroBLECH 2024: VSM XELERION takes finish grinding to the next level

VSM will be presenting its latest abrasives technology at EuroBLECH 2024: Thanks to its innovative, randomised structure, VSM XELERION creates the finest surfaces in fewer process steps than usual. Grinding processes are more efficient and the strain on users is significantly reduced.

Structured abrasives are used especially for fine and ultra-fine grinding tasks where high-quality surfaces are the goal. As a rule, this involves long processing times with many grit size stages, and the work is often unpleasant for users, since a great deal of heat and noise is generated and there are considerable emissions of dust and odours.

With these problems in mind, the abrasives experts at Vereinigte Schmirgel- und Maschinen-Fabriken AG (VSM) have now significantly improved the principle of structured fine abrasives. VSM XELERION achieves a flawless, uniform and reproducible scratch pattern with sustained high stock removal – and is also significantly more effective and user-friendly than comparable products.

The reason for this is a completely new grain structure: the XELERION dots, consisting of several layers of sharp abrasive grains in a synthetic resin bond, are not positioned strictly symmetrically on the backing, in contrast to similar products, but are deliberately randomised, i.e. arranged arbitrarily. The new, innovative manufacturing process makes a decisive difference on several levels:

A cooler cut – perfect surfaces

The uniquely arranged XELERION dots ensure optimal distribution of the force and heat. This means cooler grinding, which prevents discolouration and deformation, for example. Furthermore, in contrast to other abrasives, the surface geometry of XELERION remains “open” until the very end of the abrasive's service life, and this also has a positive effect on the processing temperature. Overall, the temperature input into the workpiece is reduced by up to 70 percent.

This means a significant reduction in rework and in material waste. At the same time, a fine, even surface is created, i.e. a perfectly reproducible finish – right up to a flawless scratch pattern for high-gloss surfaces.

Pliable and more precise

The random distribution of the dots on the flexible fabric backing ensures outstanding adaptability to the workpiece geometry. The abrasive belt has a level of flexibility that conventionally coated abrasives cannot achieve. This means that even tight radii and complex contours, such as those of tools or medical instruments, can be processed with pin-point accuracy and precision. The excellent “pliability” of XELERION allows extremely even stock removal from the workpiece surface.

Users heave a sigh of relief

Specially developed for use with power tools and for backstand grinding applications, XELERION also excels when it comes to user-friendliness. This state-of-the-art abrasive is easy to handle and demonstrates its full power even with reduced force and low contact pressure. Particularly smooth running and lower levels of noise, odour and dust make work much more pleasant, especially compared to other structured abrasives on the market.

Maximum productivity – fewer grit size steps required

The improved stock removal characteristics significantly simplify the grinding process as a whole. Even with fine grit sizes, stock removal is high, which means that XELERION can easily be used to grind out roughly pre-ground surfaces – for example in grit size 80. And furthermore: common grit size steps can be skipped, so that the desired surface finish can be achieved with fewer grinding passes and tool changes. This means: productivity is increased massively, especially if many grit size steps were usually used in the past.

Proven in practice: Double the number of workpieces per belt

Whether grinding out defects or levelling weld seams – XELERION makes full use of its strengths when it comes to backstand grinding of contoured workpieces. "KK670F removes a lot of material and still achieves an extremely fine surface. The P240 achieves even more stock removal than the P120. And the surface is finer than with a conventional P240 abrasive belt. In the test with medical instruments, for example, we were able to double the number of workpieces per belt compared to competitor products", explains Dr. Tobias Gartzke, Senior Product Manager at VSM.

Other ideal areas of application include fittings, turbine blades, furniture and knives, as well as applications in industries such as plant and vessel construction and the kitchen and automotive industries.

Find out more now and request a test sample

The new XELERION series KK670F and KK670J are available as abrasive belts and discs in grit sizes P240-P2500 (A80-A6). They were specially developed for machining stainless steels, but are also suitable for grinding many other materials – from superalloys to non-ferrous metals.

Would you like to learn more about metalworking with XELERION? Then request a test sample now. Find out more on site: you can find your contact partners at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hall 15, Stand F55.

You can find all the information you need on the XELERION series for grinding professionals at:
www.vsm-xelerion.com