What are the Differences between Rough Grinding and Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass
Discover the benefits and limitations of rough and precise grinding methods for tempered glass fabrication. Gain valuable insights on how to improve your techniques for a superior end product. Learn from our experts and enhance your understanding of glass manufacturing.
Tempered glass fabrication is a widely used technique in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the production of glassware products such as windows, doors, and mirrors, used for home appliances, electronics, furniture,etc. The process involves heating the glass to a high temperature before quickly cooling it, which results in the glass becoming four to five times stronger than normal.
One of the most critical parts of the tempered glass fabrication process is grinding the glass sheet before tempering. However, there are two main techniques used to grind tempered glass - rough grinding and precise or fine or accurate grinding methods. Both methods have their advantages and limitations.this article is going to introduce what is rough grinding and what is accurate grinding, their advantages and disadvantages respectively, and the differences between that two grinding methods.
About Rough Grinding of Tempered Glass:
What is Rough Grinding of Tempered Glass:
The rough edge grinding of tempered glass refers to the preliminary grinding of the edge of the glass during the glass processing process. Its main purpose is to remove burrs and irregularities on the edge of the glass to ensure that the edge of the glass will not scratch or hurt people. Coarse edge grinding usually uses a coarser grinding head, which has a faster processing speed, but the processing effect is relatively poor.
The specific process of rough edge grinding of tempered glass includes the following steps
Use a diamond edging wheel: First, use a metal-bonded diamond edging wheel for rough grinding. Use coarse, medium and fine grinding wheels in sequence. Usually 325 mesh is already fine. This is to trim the rough shape. It is normal for edge chipping to occur.
Use a resin-bonded diamond edge grinding wheel: Next, use a resin-bonded diamond edge grinding wheel to grind the chipped edge position into a frosted surface without chipping. This basically completes the rough edge grinding process.
Adjust the parameters of the edge grinder: During the edge grinding process, it is necessary to adjust the parameters of the edge grinder, including grinding amount, feed speed, etc. For example, for glass below 8mm, the grinding amount should be less than 2.5mm, and the feeding speed should be less than 2.5m; for glass between 10-19mm, the grinding amount should be less than 1.5mm, and the feeding speed should be less than 1.5m
Inspection and maintenance of equipment: After the edge grinder is started and stopped every day, the operator needs to conduct routine inspections, including whether the grinding wheel is loose, the degree of wear, and whether the circulating water is clean, etc. In addition, the circulating water should be kept clean, the circulating pipe should be kept smooth, and the water must be changed frequently.
Things to note and frequently asked questions about rough edge grinding of tempered glass
Avoid scratches and damage: Before processing, it is necessary to carefully recheck the dimensions of semi-finished products to avoid continuation of mistakes in the previous process, and check the appearance quality of the glass to avoid scratches and grinding scales, missing corners, etc. that cannot be cleaned
Control the grinding amount: The grinding amount needs to be adjusted according to the thickness of the glass. Excessive grinding amount may cause the glass to break.
Equipment maintenance: The grinding wheel should be inspected, adjusted and calibrated every day to ensure the normal operation of the equipment
The role of rough edge grinding in tempered glass processing
In the production process of tempered glass, rough edge grinding is an essential step. It can remove jagged chips and burrs left after cutting glass to ensure the smoothness of the glass edge. In addition, rough edge grinding can also improve the yield of tempered glass and reduce the risk of edge chipping and cracking during the tempering process.
Advantages of Rough Grinding of Tempered Glass:
High flatness: Rough edge grinding can significantly improve the flatness of tempered glass, making its edges smoother and reducing safety hazards caused by uneven edges.
Low self-explosion rate: The self-explosion rate of tempered glass that has been roughened has a relatively low self-explosion rate because the edges are smoother, which reduces the risk of self-explosion due to stress concentration.
Improved aesthetics: The tempered glass after rough edge grinding has a more beautiful appearance and smooth edges, reducing the visual discomfort caused by edge burrs.
Disadvantages of Rough Grinding of Tempered Glass:
Limited processing effect: Compared with fine grinding, the processing effect of rough grinding is limited and cannot achieve very high flatness and brightness
Faster processing speed: Although rough edge grinding is faster and usually only takes a few seconds to complete, this will also result in some subtle defects that may not be completely removed.
Where Rough Grinding of Tempered Glass is Applied:
1. Decoration Engineering: In decoration engineering, glass is mainly used for cabinets, bay windows, skirtings, pedals, etc. after deep processing. These products usually use semi-automatic machines for rough edge grinding, such as horizontal line machines. In addition, manual grinders are also often used for rough grinding of special-shaped glass
2. Door and window glass: In the processing of door and window glass, rough edge grinding is a common process step. Coarse edge grinding usually uses a diamond wheel. This grinding method is opaque and is suitable for situations where the edges of the glass are not exposed. For example, when the edges of door and window glass do not need to be transparent, rough grinding can be used to reduce costs
3. Architecture and Furniture: In the architecture and furniture sectors, rough-edged glass is often used where a clear edge is not required. For example, the exterior glass of buildings and glass partitions in furniture, etc. In these applications, the edges of the glass do not need to be transparent, so rough edge grinding is used
About Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass:
What is Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass:
The fine grinding edge of tempered glass refers to further polishing the edge of the tempered glass on the basis of the fine grinding edge of the glass. The main purpose of precision grinding is to improve the beauty and durability of the glass while reducing the risk of self-explosion.
The process flow of tempered glass accurate edge grinding mainly includes the following steps:
Preparation: Operators must wear protective equipment, such as gloves, safety helmets, etc., and read the production task list carefully
Check semi-finished products: Before processing, the dimensions of semi-finished products need to be carefully rechecked to avoid continuation of mistakes in the previous process. Also, check the appearance quality of the glass to avoid scratches and grinding scales, missing corners, etc. that cannot be cleaned.
Grinding amount control: Control the grinding amount according to the thickness of the glass. The grinding amount for glass below 8mm is less than 2.5mm, and the grinding amount for glass between 10-19mm is less than 1.5mm.
Feeding speed control: The feeding speed of glass below 8mm is less than 2.5m, the feeding speed of glass 10-19mm is less than 1.5m
Edging machine operation: After starting and stopping the machine every day, the operator must conduct routine inspections, including whether the grinding wheel is loose, the degree of wear, and whether the circulating water is clean, etc. When grinding glass of different thicknesses, trial grinding must be carried out
Polishing treatment: The finely ground edge is polished with a polishing wheel immediately after rough grinding with a diamond wheel. The polished glass edge becomes transparent and very bright.
Quality inspection: The glass after grinding will be inspected in terms of appearance, size and quality. Unqualified products will not flow into the next process.
The role of rough edge grinding in tempered glass processing
The main function and purpose of glass precision grinding is to improve the appearance, yield and safety of glass
Improve appearance and aesthetics
Precision grinding can make the edge of the glass smoother and more delicate, reducing surface texture and defects, thus improving the overall beauty of the glass. The glass edge after precision grinding has high transparency, high brightness, and a more high-end appearance
Improve yield
Precision edge grinding before the glass enters the tempering furnace can effectively remove small cracks and defects left during early cutting, avoid edge chipping, cracking, etc. during the tempering process, thus improving the tempering yield
Improve security
Precision grinding can eliminate problems such as sharpness and burrs on the edge of the glass, avoid cutting or stabbing injuries to personnel during use, and ensure the safety of users.
Advantages of Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass:
High precision: The precision of fine grinding is very high, and the precision of edge grinding can be controlled within 0.1mm, ensuring the high precision requirements of the product
High flatness: Special edge grinding tools and equipment are used during the fine grinding process. The material remains flat during the processing to ensure the flatness of the product surface
High aesthetics: The precision-ground surface is smooth and clean, not easy to rust and corrode, and has high aesthetics
Wide scope of application: Precision grinding can be used for processing various high-precision materials, such as optical instruments, electronic components and accessories, medical ceramics, etc.
Improve product quality: Precision-grinded products have higher precision and straightness, which can greatly improve product quality and performance
Increase the added value of products: Precision grinding technology is a type of high-precision processing technology that can increase the added value of products
Improve the competitiveness of enterprises: The use of precision grinding technology can develop high-end products with differentiated advantages for enterprises and improve the competitiveness of enterprises
Disadvantages of Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass:
Higher cost: Precision grinding requires a higher technical level and processing equipment, which increases production costs
High technical requirements: Precision grinding has high technical requirements for operators, and professional training is required to master them
Complex equipment maintenance: Precision grinding equipment is relatively complex, and maintenance and upkeep requires professional knowledge and skills
Where Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass is Applied:
Accurate grinding of tempered glass is suitable for high-end glass products, such as high-quality glass doors, windows, etc., because its edge processing is more detailed, the cuts are clear, and the surface finish is high
Differences between Rough Grinding and Accurate Grinding of Tempered Glass:
The difference between fine grinding and rough grinding of tempered glass is mainly reflected in the process, appearance, use and price.
Process differences
Rough edge grinding: Rough edge grinding is relatively simple. Usually only 1-3 diamond wheels are used for edge grinding and chamfering. Uneven edges are allowed. Rough grinding is mostly manual grinding, and the process difficulty is relatively low
Fine grinding: Fine grinding is a further treatment based on rough grinding. Fine edging uses a large and medium-sized glass edge grinding machine, which uses different wheel sets to gradually refine the edging, ultimately making the glass edge smooth and transparent with high brightness12. The precision grinding process requires multiple grinding and polishing operations, which is technically difficult and the processing speed is slow. Sometimes, in order to ensure the polishing effect, two grinding operations are required.
Appearance differences
Precision grinding edge: The edge of the glass with fine grinding edge is smooth and transparent, giving a shiny look. It is suitable for glass edges that need to be exposed, such as railing glass, etc.
Rough ground edge: The edge of the glass with rough ground edge has a matte feel, which is suitable for situations where the edge of the glass is not exposed.
Differences in use
Precision grinding: Because the edge processing of precision grinding is more detailed and the surface finish is high, it is suitable for high-end glass products, such as fine glass accessories, high-quality glass doors, windows, etc.
Rough edge grinding: Rough edge grinding glass has rounded edges but does not hurt your hands. It is suitable for large ordinary glass products, such as architectural glass, furniture glass, etc.
Price difference
Since the fine edge grinding process is complex and requires high-precision mechanical equipment and advanced materials, its price is relatively high; while the rough edge grinding process is simple and requires lower equipment and technical requirements, so the price is relatively cheap1.
so the choice of fine grinding edge or rough grinding edge should be decided based on specific needs. If you need high-quality glass products, fine-grinding is more appropriate; if you need a large amount of ordinary glass products, rough-grinding is more economical
In conclusion, the tempered glass fabrication industry continues to be an essential aspect of the manufacturing sector. Rough and precise grinding methods play a crucial role in the production of high-quality tempered glass products. Operators must consider the advantages and limitations of each grinding method to achieve consistent, safe, and high-quality products. With proper knowledge and training, glass manufacturers can enhance their understanding of the processes involved and improve their techniques to deliver superior end products.
About Huide Glass:
Huide Glass has been in that processing business of tempered glass sheets products for around 13 Years since 2011. We have strong production and development capabilities, and currently has 7 automatic cutting machines, 8 edge grinding lines, there are 8 CNC precision grinding processing centers; there are 3 tempering furnaces(one for North-Glass, one for Yihai, and one for continuous tempering furnace SOUTHTECH). we can fabricate tempered glass sheet products 3,000,000 square meter per year.
Our tempered glass products includes tempered glass shelf for refrigerator, tempered glass door for refrigerators, tempered glass lid for household washing machines, tempered glass sheet for smart tea table top or bedside table top, tempered glass cover panel for water cleaner and water heater, tempered glass cover for advertising billboard, tempered glass top and front door panel for tea bar machine, tempered glass cover panel for display cabinet, display box, or tempered glass cover sheet for showcase counter,etc, and also we can do customized manufacturing according to your unique real applications. if you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact us.
