Do you really know the service life of your polishing wheels?

Polishing wheels come in countless varieties: different weaves, stitching patterns, folds, impregnations, and diameters create an almost infinite range. Professionals know their way around because they understand exactly which wheel type is optimal for their application. But who can accurately compare the service life of identical wheel types from different manufacturers? Every supplier touts their wheels as especially durable and high-performance. You can immediately see how well they polish and how glossy the finish is—but in practical use, actual service life is much harder to verify. Yet service life is critical: about 80 % of consumables costs go toward the polishing wheels, while only around 20 % is for the polishing compounds. Focusing solely on the cheapest wheel can therefore lead to higher overall expenses.

Menzerna’s procedure for precise wear measurement

In our application engineering department, we have developed a standardized test procedure that measures polishing wheel wear under real-world conditions with high accuracy. Standardized test bodies are polished in multiple passes at varying contact pressures, while our robotic system continuously records the actual pressure. As the wheel diameter decreases with wear, the robot arm automatically moves millimeter-perfectly back toward the surface to maintain constant pressure.

Solid data for sound purchasing decisions

The data gathered often yields surprising insights: in our technical trials, identical wheel types showed up to 25 % difference in service life. Such methodically rigorous tests reveal significant cost-saving potentials.

Menzerna offers these measurements as a consulting service for both end users and wheel manufacturers. You receive a detailed report on your wheels’ service life and a solid basis for your procurement decisions. Contact us at technikum(at)menzerna.com.