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Abrasives
Bear-Tex
products are made of Silicon Carbide and Aluminium Oxide grains.
Silicon Carbide is harder, sharper and tends to cut faster
and produce finer scratch patterns on most surfaces. Aluminium
Oxide is more durable, lasts longer and is more aggressive
on certain applications such as hardened steel.
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Grits
Bear-Tex products use a simplified grading system to denote
the grit size on the abrasive grains.
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Grading
System
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Comparable
Grit Sizes
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Micro
Fine (MF)
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1000
- 1200
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Ultra
Fine (UF)
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600
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Very
Fine (VF)
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240
- 360
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Fine
(F)
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180
- 220
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Medium
(M)
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100
- 150
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Coarse
(C)
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50
- 80
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Density
This refers to the number of fibres that have been compressed
into the nylon web material.
Under
identical conditions harder density wheels cut faster, last
longer and produce finer finishes than softer density wheels.
Softer density wheels offer greater conformability and less
tendency to load or burn the workpiece.
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Fibre
Sizes
Several fibre sizes are used in the manufacture of Bear-Tex
as this produces distinct cutting characteristics. The technical
term denier identifies the weight in grams of a fibre 9000
metres long. The smaller the denier number, the finer the
fibre. Since each product category is already designed for
certain applications, the denier size is not specified as
an optional ingredient in the ordering specifications.
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Bonding
Agents
Waterproof resins are used in the manufacture of Bear-Tex.
A variety of resins are used in order to obtain the required
properties of the finished product. Since the intended application
determines the resin type, this is not specified as an optional
ingredient in the ordering specification.
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Alternate Finishing Methods Vs.Bear-Tex
Products
The following chart outlines the advantages achievable when
using Bear-Tex products as an alternative to other cleaning,
blending, deburring and finishing methods. Bear-Tex products
are listed in the sequence of normal preference for the applications
stated. However, because of the numerous variables, only testing
can ensure selection of the most cost-effective product.
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Alternative
Finishing Method
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Key
Application
|
Bear-Tex
Product Used As A Replacement
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Advantages
Of Bear-Tex Products Over Alternate Finishing Methods
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| Bristle
Brushes |
Cleaning
|
Clean/Finish
Wheel Surface Finishing Wheel Flap Wheel Abrasive
Brush |
Superior
cleaning performance. Higher productivity.No slurry or
compound required. More consistent finish.Compound dust
and flying bristles eliminated. |
|
| Greaseless
Compounds |
Finishing
|
Flap
Wheel Clean/Finish Wheel Surface Finishing Wheel
General Duty Wheel Deburring Wheel Deburring Unified
Wheel Abrasive Brush Series 1000/2000/3000 Wheels |
Reduced
maintenance...no compound, instant set-up.More uniform
finish. More consistent work rate.Compound dust eliminated. |
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| Set-Up
Wheels |
Blending
Deburring
|
General
Duty Wheel Deburring Wheel Deburring Unified Wheel
Series 1000/2000/3000 Wheels |
No
break-in time required. More consistent cut.More uniform
finish. Maintains geometry.Safer...no flying wheel pieces |
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| Steel
Wool |
Cleaning
|
Sheets
Rolls Discs Hand Pads |
Faster,
longer life. Less pressure required.Non-rusting, cleaner.
Safer...no splinters. |
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Getting The Most Out Of Bear-Tex Wheels
Maximum wheel life and best surface conditioning results can
be achieved by closely adhering to the following recommendations.
Wheel Direction
Convolute Wheels must always be run in the direction indicated
by the arrow printed on the side of each wheel. Flap Wheels
and Unified Wheels can be run in either direction.
Wheel Speed
Wheel speed is an important factor in that it affects product
finish, rate of cut, and wheel life. In general, fast wheel
speeds give harder action and a coarser finish for the same
wheel density. The following are recommended operating speeds
for the most common applications :
Cleaning and upgrading of surface
conditions........................................... 2200
to 6000 SFPM
Cut-buffing on metal surfaces................. 6500 to 8000
SFPM
Deburring ............................................5500
to 8000 SFPM
Decorative finishing.................................500 to
3000 SFPM
Imparting decorative finishes.................... 900 to 3000
SFPM
Oxide removal.......................................3500 to
6500 SFPM
Testing may show that a slower or faster speed is desirable
for specific operations. Never exceed the maximum R.P.M. rating
of the wheel.
Pressure
Light to medium pressure is recommended for most operations.
Flap Wheels require much lighter pressure to perform properly
than other Bear-Tex wheels, whereas Unified Wheels can withstand
much higher pressure to perform deburring jobs. In all cases,
avoid excessive pressure which may result in wheel deformation
and damage to the work surface.
Feed Speed
Feed speeds directly affect the number of pieces completed
over a given period of time. Slow feed speed reduces the number
of workpieces completed, while producing a shorter dwell time
and permits more work to be done on each piece. Conversely,
a fast feed speed increases the number of workpieces completed,
while producing a longer scratch pattern.
Oscillation
Oscillation may be used to break-up scratch lines and produce
a more uniform finish. Additionally, an increase in cut may
be experienced. A general starting point for oscillation is
3/8" amplitude at 200 cycles per minute.
Lubricants
Lubricants, such as water, water soluble oil, and straight
oil, will decrease the heat generated while running, improve
lustre, and reduce surface finish. The higher the viscosity
of the lubricant, the lower the surface finish (RMS value)
produced.
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Factors In Wheel Choice
The following chart provides
a relative comparison of other Bear-Tex Wheel variables. It
can serve as a useful guide in choosing the most suitable
product for a given application. However, as many other factors
affect wheel performance, this chart can only be general in
nature. The most cost-effective results can always be obtained
by wheel testing on the application.
Click
here for table
Top
Surface
Finish Variables
Changes in any one of many
factors can affect the surface finish on the workpiece. The
purpose of the following chart is to show the effect on surface
finish by changes in single factors of product specifications.
Arrows have been used to signify the trend direction...the
length is not intended to signify that the effect of each
factor is equal.
| Variable
Factor |
Rough
Surface Smooth
Surface
High RMS Reading Lower
RMS Reading |
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| 1. Grit Size |
Coarse  Very
Fine |
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| 2. Wheel Grade |
Soft Hard |
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| 3. Wheel Speed |
Slower Faster |
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| 4. Feed Speed |
Faster
(long scratch) Slower
(short scratch) |
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| 5. Oscillation |
No Oscillation Oscillation |
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| 6. Lubricants |
Dry WaterWaterSolubleOil Straight
Oil |
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Compounds |
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