The linear speed of the cloth buffing wheel and whether it can achieve the desired polishing effect on the workpiece are the primary considerations when choosing a cloth buffing wheel. Only by selecting the appropriate cloth buffing wheel can the best polishing results be achieved.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a cloth buffing wheel:
1. Types of cloth buffing wheels
Ⅰ. Twill Fabric cloth Wheel
This is a type of polishing wheel, generally sewn using a spiral method. Due to the demanding applications, manufacturers prioritize quality when producing these polishing wheels. They typically use high-quality materials and employ meticulous workmanship, resulting in a higher price.
The contact between the wheel body material (fiber) and the components of the polishing compound (oils) directly affects the adhesion of the polishing compound to the wheel. Better adhesion leads to better polishing and cutting effects, and fewer applications of polishing compound are needed. For specific data and parameters, please refer to the specifications provided by the polishing wheel manufacturer for different sizes of polishing wheels.
Ⅱ. Oil-Impregnated Twill Cloth Wheel
Its internal fibers have been impregnated with the oil component of the polishing compound, giving it a high polishing effect from the start. The oil impregnated into the wheel lubricates the friction between the cloth layers, minimizing imperceptible damage and extending its lifespan. Under laboratory conditions, oil-impregnated polishing wheels demonstrate superior cutting performance on all materials compared to non-oil-impregnated wheels, and offer a 30% longer service life. Special designs can also improve ventilation, meeting the needs of rapid cutting for various metals. It boasts numerous advantages: fast cutting ability, long wear life, and minimal heat generation. For specific data and parameters, please refer to the specifications of different polishing wheels from the manufacturer.
Ⅲ. Pleated Wheel
Air can circulate freely, resulting in better cooling. Please refer to the specifications provided by the polishing wheel manufacturer for detailed data parameters of different polishing wheel sizes.
Ⅳ. Cloth wheels and sisal buffing wheels
The main difference is: cloth wheels are mainly used to achieve a high-gloss and mirror-like finish; sisal buffing wheels are mainly used for rough and medium polishing. The final effect depends on the type and performance of the polishing compound and the workpiece material.
2. The material of the workpiece being processed
Generally, we divide the materials of workpieces to be polished into two main categories: metals and non-metals. Metals can be further divided into two types: ferrous metals, including iron, stainless steel, alloy steel, carbon steel, etc., and non-ferrous metals, including copper, brass, bronze, zinc, aluminum, nickel, etc. Non-metallic materials include plastics, painted surfaces, wood, stone, etc. The type of polishing wheel used often varies depending on the material of the workpiece. The basic selection method considers the surface hardness of the workpiece. For ferrous metals, which have higher surface hardness, sisal buffing wheels are often used to achieve the desired cutting effect. If sisal buffing wheels are used on non-ferrous metals, the polishing marks left on the surface will be coarser and generally unacceptable to customers. Therefore, for non-ferrous metals, we mostly use cotton polishing wheels.
For special materials such as precious metals like gold and platinum, chromium and nickel plated metals, and hard plastics, it is recommended to seek guidance from professionals to prevent unnecessary losses.
3. Sanding grit number in the previous process
The grit size used in the preceding sanding process often directly affects the selection of buffing wheels, polishing pastes, or polishing compounds for the polishing operation. Improper selection can lead to unnecessary cost waste. The adjustment and matching of these materials are also very important. Users must have a thorough understanding of the characteristics and composition of the abrasive materials they use; otherwise, even the best abrasive materials will not achieve the desired results if used inappropriately.
4. Types of Polishing Equipment
Automatic polishing machines and manual polishing machines utilize fundamentally different methods for selecting polishing wheels. The main reason for this difference is that in automatic polishing machines, the workpiece being polished is fixed in a fixture, and the polishing wheel assembly moves in and contacts the workpiece to perform the polishing action. Alternatively, the workpiece is fixed in a fixture and moves via a conveyor belt to contact the side or bottom of the polishing wheel assembly to achieve polishing. In contrast, with manual polishing machines, the polishing wheel assembly is fixed, and the operator holds the workpiece and brings it into contact with the polishing wheel to perform the polishing action. In other words, the basic forms of polishing wheel selection are almost entirely different for different types of polishing machines.
5. The shape of the workpiece being processed
The type of polishing machine used and the shape of the workpiece usually determine the type of cloth wheel to be selected. For polishing flat workpieces, a harder polishing wheel is generally used, and the contact pressure is adjusted according to the machine's rotational speed. However, for workpieces with large variations in surface height and complex contours, a softer, more elastic polishing wheel is selected for automatic polishing machines, while for manual polishing machines, a polishing wheel with an elastic contact surface and a very hard base is used. We need to select the appropriate polishing wheel based on the material being polished to achieve maximum efficiency and optimal results.
Factors affecting the linear speed of the cloth buffing wheel include: firstly, the rotational speed (revolutions per minute); secondly, the surface linear speed (meters per minute). Linear speed affects the polishing effect; a speed of 3600-7500 is suitable, and higher linear speeds generally result in better polishing.
The processing process of workpieces using cloth buffing wheels generally includes: rough polishing, medium polishing, and fine polishing. Briefly: Rough polishing uses coarse materials such as corundum to remove rust and scratches, resulting in a rough surface finish; medium polishing generally uses sharp cutting materials, such as those used for stainless steel, to remove excess material from the surface and achieve a good shine; fine polishing uses soft, high-quality polishing wax to bring out the original luster of the metal material. Most polished parts require several polishing steps, often using several different types of cloth buffing wheels to achieve the desired polishing effect.
