Knowledge Center

UKAM Industrial Superhard Tools is committed to helping you improve and optimize your slicing, dicing, and drilling operation to the outmost level of efficiency.

On our web site you will find the Most Comprehensive Source of Information on Everything you wanted to know about diamond tools, diamond drilling, cutting, grinding, & polishing. We believe that the best client is a well-informed client. The more you understand about what we can do for you, the better our partnership will be Superior Performance requires not only high quality diamond tools, but Proper Understanding & Experience on how to properly use them.

Trusted by Tens of Thousands of Manufacturers, Laboratories,
Research Institutions Worldwide Since 1990

American Based Manufacturer

Established in 1990

Custom manufacturing

LET US HELP YOU

We Are A Partner In Your Success

We highly suggest exploring our Knowledge Center, which contains valuable information, where you will find answers to most of your questions. This valuable resource is offered to you FREE of charge, which is a rare benefit as many companies charge for similar information. We urge you to take advantage of this resource.

Selecting Right Diamond & CBN Tools for your Application

Diamond Tool Bond Types

Choosing The Correct Diamond Bond Type

Selecting the appropriate diamond bond type for specific applications is crucial for several reasons. Diamond bond type directly affects the tool's performance, efficiency, and longevity. Different bond types determine how well a tool can withstand...

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How Diamond & CBN Tools Work

How to properly use Diamond Tools

UKAM Industrial Superhard Tools manufactures precision diamond tools for a large variety of applications, materials, and industries. Trusted by Tens of Thousands of Manufacturers, Laboratories, Research Institutions Worldwide Since 1990 American Based Manufacturer Established in 1990 Expert technical support Custom manufacturing Thousands...

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How Diamond Tools Work

Diamond & CBN Tools represent the highest engineering of cutting and grinding technology. These tools use their unparalleled hardness and durability of diamonds to perform tasks beyond the capabilities of conventional tools. Trusted by Tens of...

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What is SMART CUT Technology

The sharpest and finest quality diamonds or CBN crystals that go into a SMART CUT Diamond Bond, immediately penetrate into the material, grinding and polishing as they cut. Trusted by Tens of Thousands of Manufacturers, Laboratories, Research...

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Diamond & CBN Specifications

Why use diamond

Diamond is the hardest material known to man kind. When used on diamond/tools, diamond grinds away material on micro (nano) level. Due to its hardness Diamond will work all types of materials from hardness of 40 on Rockwell scale and up. Diamond will machine hardest material, including those materials that other conventional types of abrasives, carbide and high speed steel will not.

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Diamond crystal quality – you get way you pay for

The diamonds impregnated inside the bond matrix of the diamond & tool, are what actually participate in cutting action. No matter what equipment and process you are using. You will not be able to obtain the material surface finish, and precision tolerances you need, if the diamond & cbn crystals you are using is not right for your application.

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Diamond impact strength

Understanding the wear mechanisms of diamond crystals is essential for optimizing cutting performance in terms of both cutting ratio and speed. Diamond crystal loss, which primarily occurs through micro chipping rather than fracturing or pullout,...

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Diamond & CBN Bond Types

resin bond

Resin Bond Tools

Learn everything you wanted to know about resin bond diamond tools. How they are made, what types are available and their applicationTrusted by Tens of Thousands of Manufacturers, Laboratories,Research Institutions Worldwide...

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SINTERED (METAL BOND) DIAMOND TOOLS

Sintered (Metal bonded) diamond tools have multiple layers of diamonds impregnated inside the metal matrix. Diamonds are furnaces sintered in a matrix made of iron, cobalt, nickel, bronze, copper, tungsten, alloys of these powders or other metals in various combinations. Metal Bonded Diamond Tools are “impregnated” with diamonds. This means that selected diamonds are mixed and sintered with specific metal alloys to achieve the best cutting performance possible on any materials such as sapphire, advanced ceramics, optics, glass, granite, tile and etc.

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Precision Abrasives

Electroplated Diamond Tools

Need Help Selecting the Right Diamond or CBN Tool for Your Application? Our applications engineers will review your material, machine, and cutting parameters and recommend the optimalDiamond or CBN Tool specification/solution for your application Request Applications Engineering...

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Diamond & CBN Usage Principals

How to Properly Use Diamond Lapidary Blades

Dressing Diamond Tools Why, How, When & Where

Dressing is the process of sharpening and exposing diamond particles within the bond matrix, allowing them to penetrate materials more effectively, minimize operational loads, and ensure high-quality cuts. Despite its critical role in tool performance,...

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Material Holding Methods

Selecting the appropriate material mounting or fixturing method is essential for achieving precision, consistency, and efficiency in your cutting or machining operations. The choice depends on several factors, including material dimensions, desired cut depth, material properties, and specific application requirements.

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RPMs & Feed Rates

RPMs & Feed Rates Guide | UKAM

Selecting the right RPM (revolutions per minute) when using industrial diamond tools is a critical factor in achieving optimal results for a variety of applications. Whether you're slicing, dicing, drilling, grinding, or polishing, the RPM...

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Material Guide

Learn everything you wanted to know about different materials and methods of working with them Trusted by Tens of Thousands of Manufacturers, Laboratories, Research Institutions Worldwide Since 1990 American Based Manufacturer Established in 1990 Expert technical...

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What are Tolerances, Accuracy, and repeatability

What is Surface Finish

Surface finish is typically measured in terms of roughness or smoothness. It influences the appearance, functionality, and performance of a product. A well-controlled surface finish can enhance the product's aesthetics, reduce friction, improve...

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Diamond Tools compared with Abrasive Tools

Abrasive tools and diamond tools are two of the most widely used solutions for cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing in manufacturing, research, and materials processing. While both serve the same purpose of removing material and...

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Diamond vs. Laser and Water Jet

Machining with diamond tools and using diamond, laser, and water jet as cutting methods are all different processes with distinct advantages and applicationsIn selecting the most effective machining method...

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Coolant Articles

Water Soluble Coolant

SMART CUT® Water Soluble Coolant Usage Recommendations

This usage guide will cover most aspects of coolant use, including mixing ratios, the mixing process, best practices, and optimization strategies. We will start by discussing the proper mixing ratios that balance lubrication and cooling efficiency, tailored to different materials and cutting conditions. Then, we will cover into the mixing process, focusing on how to achieve a consistent mixture, and the importance of water quality and temperature.

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XP Dicing Surfactants

How to Use SMART CUT XP Dicing Surfactants

SMART CUT® XP dicing surfactants should be introduced into the saw water supply in a controlled and consistent manner to ensure proper dilution, stable chemical performance, and uniform delivery to the cutting zone. Correct dosing equipment and proper setup help achieve full...

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Dicing Surfactants Guide

Dicing surfactants support stable and consistent wafer dicing. You use them as part of a complete dicing fluid designed to cool the blade, flush debris, and protect exposed device surfaces. Modern semiconductor wafers contain smaller...

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Diamond Wire & Band Saw Blades

Before purchasing, avoid these common errors:

Silicon Manufacturing

A high-precision diamond cutting tool with an industrial-grade blade, designed for accurate and efficient material processing.

Silicon Fabrication Guide

Cutting silicon wafers is a critical process in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices, where precision and control are paramount to the success of the final products. Silicon, a semi-metallic or metalloid, is the base material...

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Silicon Semiconductors

Manufacturing Processes for Silicon Semiconductors From Ingot to Integrated Circuit

1. Ingot Production The journey begins with the creation of silicon ingots, which are pure silicon cylinders produced through methods like the Czochralski process. Once formed, these ingots undergo a cropping procedure to remove any excess and to prepare them for slicing. This step ensures that only the highest quality silicon is used, which is crucial for the performance of the final semiconductor devices.

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Diamond & CBN Wheels

CBN Grinding Wheels

CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) Grinding Wheels – Everything you wanted to know

Why Use Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) Wheels? Cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding wheels are gaining recognition as superior tools for machining difficult metals. Initially used in toolrooms and cutter-grinding applications, CBN wheels are now making a significant impact in production grinding operations, where conventional abrasives would wear out much faster. CBN wheels are versatile, ranging from regrinding high-speed cutting tools to high-speed grinding of hardened steel components in the automotive industry.

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diamond drill

Diamond & CBN Wheel Troubleshooting Guide

Our illustrated troubleshooting guide was designed to help you optimize your grinding operations. It assists in diagnosing most possible issues that may arise when using diamond & CBN WHEELS. This guide highlights the signs to watch out for, their...

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Diamond Core Bit Articles

Diamond Core Bit

Diamond Core Bit Ultimate Guide

Diamond Core Bits for Concrete & Construction are available in countless of specifications. Diamond core bits, known for their unmatched durability and cutting ability, are a necessity for  professionals needing to drill through reinforced concrete,...

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Metallography / Sample Preparation

Low Speed Saw Case Studies

Introduction In the realm of precision cutting, the SMART CUT® 6005 Low Speed Diamond Saw stands out for its capability to handle a variety of materials with high accuracy. To better understand its performance and optimize its usage, a detailed study was conducted using sapphire material. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the operational parameters of the saw, such as wheel diameter, load, wheel speed, and arm position, and their effects on cutting time. The findings will be incorporated into user manuals to enhance consumer knowledge and usage efficiency.

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Diamond Blade Articles

Precision & Ultra Thin Diamond Blade Guide

Diamond and CBN blades are available in an extensive array of varieties, each differing in bond types, manufacturing methods, and design specifics. Ultra Thin & High Precision Diamond Blades are particularly versatile, applicable...

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value and cost

Evaluating & Comparing Diamond Blades

Proper testing procedures and methodologies must be set up and used to obtain accurate as well as repeatable testing results. This article will discuss several simple procedures which have been used under actual field conditions, verifying their feasibility for testing diamond cut off wheels.

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Cost Effectiveness of CBN Wheels

Top 5 Diamond & CBN Cutting Blade Performance Metrics

When evaluating diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN) cutting blades, it’s crucial to consider key performance metrics and criteria. Different applications have varying goals, making it important to understand these factors to determine a blade’s effectiveness and impact on result quality. There are many metrics that are important in optimizing your cutting operation to ultimate level of efficiency.

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Performance Metrics

Diamond & CBN Cutting Blade Performance Metrics that you Should Know

When evaluating diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN) cutting blades, it’s crucial to consider key performance metrics and criteria. Different applications have varying goals, making it important to understand these factors to determine a blade’s effectiveness and impact on result quality. There are many metrics that are important in optimizing your cutting operation to ultimate level of efficiency. In a previous article we discussed the main top 5 Key metrics include surface finish, blade life, cost, and consistency.

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Total Cost of Ownership & Why its Important

Total Cost of Ownership & Why its Important

Diamond and CBN cutting blades are available in a myriad of specifications, with virtually limitless options. The industry is saturated with numerous manufacturers, each professing to offer the optimal solution. However, in reality, only a select few possess the requisite expertise and experience necessary to fabricate blades that not only ensure optimal performance for each client but also deliver the most advantageous return on investment and the lowest total cost of ownership.

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Understanding Tradeoffs- Searching for Perfect Diamond & CBN Blade

Choosing the right blade diamond or cbn blade can significantly impact efficiency, cost, and quality. However, this is not simple and clear cut process. Selecting the optimal blade involves navigating a complex landscape of trade-offs, where factors such as cutting speed, surface finish, blade longevity, and cost must be carefully balanced. This article explores the critical performance trade-offs associated with diamond and CBN blades, providing insights to help you make informed decisions that align with your specific cutting requirements and operational goals. Understanding these trade-offs is essential for optimizing your processes, enhancing productivity, and achieving superior results in your cutting applications.

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Diamond Lapidary Blade Articles

Diamond Lapidary Blades

Mastering the Art of Lapidary cutting

Mastering the Art of Lapidary, Gemstone, Cabochon, & Slab Cutting: A Comprehensive Guide to Slab and Trim Sawing Techniques The process of transforming rough lapidary rocks & gemstones into beautiful, polished pieces is both an art and a science, requiring precision, patience, and the right tools. Diamond lapidary blades are essential for cutting and shaping lapidary materials, gemstones, and this guide is designed to provide detailed instructions on their proper use, catering to enthusiasts of all skill levels. From slab sawing to creating a preform, and from saw maintenance to helpful hints for handling small rough material, every step is crucial in the lapidary process.

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What Makes a Great Diamond Lapidary Blade

Cutting is a foundational step in the lapidary process, and the choice of diamond Lapidary blade significantly influences subsequent stages. While the market offers a plethora of blades for lapidary work, their performance and quality...

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Diamond & CBN Wafering Blade Performance Metrics

How to Properly Use Diamond Lapidary Blades

(Guide on getting the most from your blade) Welcome to the User Guide on How to Properly Use Diamond Lapidary Blades. This guide is designed to provide detailed insights and essential practices for operating diamond lapidary blades efficiently and safely. Whether you are a professional lapidary or beginning rockhound involved cutting hard lapidary materials, understanding how to correctly handle and maintain your diamond lapidary blades is important.

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Diamond Hole Saws / Composites Articles

Selecting Right Diamond Drills

Selecting Right Diamond Drills & Tools for Drilling Composites

Drilling composite materials, such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), Kevlar, and hybrid laminates, presents unique challenges due to their abrasive nature, heterogeneous structure, and susceptibility to issues like delamination, fiber breakout, and material fraying. These advanced materials are increasingly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and performance under demanding conditions. However, their distinct properties make them significantly more difficult to machine than traditional materials like metals or plastics.

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Dicing Blade Articles

Optimizing QFN Package Dicing Process Using SMART CUT® Dicing Blades

Dicing QFN packages presents several challenges due to the composition of materials and the precision required for clean, defect-free cuts. These challenges arise from the multi-layered structure of QFN packages, which often include tin (Sn) coatings, nickel/palladium (Ni/Pd) plating, and composite substrate materials. Each of these layers introduces specific difficulties that must be managed to ensure high-yield, high-quality production.

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dicing blade operation recommendations

Dicing Blade Operations Recommendations

Selecting the right dicing blade parameters often involves a trial and error process, many aspects of which can be mitigated through experience and a deep understanding of how to optimize these parameters for specific applications. What works for one application may not work for another. While there is no true substitute for experience, even new dicing saw operators can quickly become proficient by learning and applying some basic principles of dicing. Much of the content in this guide has been published in industry magazines or presented at conventions.

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Optimizing your Diamond Dicing Performance

The performance of diamond dicing blades is influenced by a wide range of interdependent variables, and understanding these factors is essential for selecting the correct blade specifications and optimizing the dicing process. Each parameter, whether related to the blade itself, the material being cut, or the operating conditions, is only one part of a larger system. Adjusting a single factor in isolation rarely produces efficiency. True optimization comes only when all parameters are properly balanced and work together as a system.

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Trouble Shooting Dicing Problems

Guide on most common dicing problems and how to resolve themShare this Article with Friend or Colleague ARE YOU USING RIGHT TOOLS FOR YOUR APPLICATION? LET USHELP YOU CONTACT US HAVING ISSUES WITH YOUR...

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Application Recommendations

Application Recommendations

This article provides important guidelines for optimizing the dicing process in semiconductor packaging, focusing on package singulation for various technologies such as BGA, QFN, LED, CMOS, and wafer substrates. It covers key variables such as the recommended blade types, coolant options, RPMs, feed rates, and mounting methods to ensure high-quality results and efficient throughput. By exploring specific material requirements and common concerns, this guide offers valuable insights into selecting the ideal dicing parameters for each application.

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Dicing Blade Case Studies

Dicing Blade Case Studies

Selecting the right dicing blade is important to achieving high yields, superior edge quality, and consistent reliability in microelectronics and optics manufacturing. Across industries such as semiconductors, electronics packaging, photonics, and precision optics, even small improvements in blade performance can significantly reduce costs and improve output. Manufacturers often struggle with challenges like excessive chipping, burr formation, wafer damage, tool wear, and unstable cutting at higher feed rates.

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Diamond Drill Articles

diamond drill

Select Right Diamond Drill for your Application

Learn important diamond drill methodology. understand diamond drill specifications and their differences Selecting the right Diamond Drills/Bits for your application is key to obtaining desired diamond drilling results. Using the Right Diamond Drill will...

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Optimizing your Diamond Drilling Operation

There are numerous factors that influence the performance of diamond drills. Understanding these factors helps users select the appropriate diamond drill specifications for their specific applications, optimizing drilling operations to achieve maximum efficiency....

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Micro Drilling Guide

In order for you to get the most out of your diamond micro drill or carbide / high speed steel micro drill, we strongly urge you to read and follow these instructions and suggestions. Doing so will help you save money and time. These suggestions and recommendations have come from years of experience in research, development and manufacturing of diamond micro drills. As well as years of personal experience, micro drilling service, process development and observations of diamond micro drills users like you. The diamond micro drills itself is only a small factor in your drilling operation. Successful diamond micro drilling is both an art & science. Requiring proper use and understanding of selecting the right diamond micro for your material / application.

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Why Use Diamond Drills?

Diamond, known as the hardest material on Earth, enables diamond drills and tools to grind away material at a micro (nano) scale. This extreme hardness allows diamond tools to effectively work on materials with a...

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Diamond Carving points group

How to Properly Use Diamond Carving Points

Diamond carving points are essential tools for anyone working with hard materials like glass, stone, and metals. These tools facilitate detailed tasks such as engraving and finishing, offering precise control and enabling you to work...

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diamond drill or diamond bit

Selecting Right Diamond Drill for your Application

Selecting the right diamond drill or bit for your application is one of the most important steps in achieving successful drilling results. The correct choice not only improves accuracy and efficiency but also saves time, reduces costs, and minimizes trial and error. This guide has been created for all levels of users whether you are a beginner, a researcher, a contractor, or an experienced manufacturing engineer seeking process optimization.

Today’s industries face a rapidly expanding range of materials that are harder, more brittle, and more complex than ever before. Advanced ceramics, composites, semiconductors, optical materials, and exotic alloys are increasingly replacing traditional substrates, often rendering older drill designs and methods obsolete. These new materials require advanced diamond tools and updated techniques to achieve consistent, high-quality results.

Although the marketplace offers hundreds of diamond drills, bits, accessories, and machines, it often provides very little guidance on how to select the right tool. Many users end up experimenting for days or weeks, trying different drills, speeds, and setups. This trial-and-error approach wastes time, increases costs, and leads to unnecessary material loss.

By focusing on the key variables that affect drill performance, including material properties, drill geometry, equipment capability, and application requirements you can make informed decisions that align with your objectives. Proper planning, careful tool selection, and attention to detail in setup and technique will ultimately determine the success of your operation.

This article outlines the critical factors to consider when choosing a diamond drill, helping you avoid common mistakes and achieve reliable, repeatable results for your specific application.

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Diamond Core Drills: Best Practices for Speed, Accuracy, and Tool Life

Diamond core drills are widely used in industries that require precise hole creation in extremely hard or brittle materials. From ceramics and glass to advanced composites and semiconductor substrates, these tools allow operators to produce accurate holes while minimizing material damage.

Diamond core drills are grinding, rather than cutting, like conventional twist drill bits. It uses a hollow drill body, where diamond particles embedded in the tool bond are used gradually to abrade the surface of the workpiece and remove material in a ring-shaped path.

As a different system for removing material, its setup and operating practices also need to be suitable to obtain consistent results.

This guide explains that drilling speed, procedures for truing and dressing diamond cores, chip control, and tool configuration have been identified as the most important factors affecting diamond core drilling performance.

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Diamond & CBN Wafering Blade Articles

Wafering Blade Usage Recommendations

The wafering/sectioning blade itself is only a small factor in your sectioning operation. Successful wafering/sectioning operation is both an art & science. Requiring proper use and understanding of selecting the right diamond wafering/sectioning...

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Wafering Blade Case Studies

Diamond & CBN Wafering Blade Case Studies This study evaluates the cutting performance of SMART CUT® Diamond & CBN Wafering Blades compared to Conventional Wafering Blades under identical test conditions. The objective was to measure differences in cutting speed, surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and blade durability when processing a range of materials commonly used in metallography, materials research, and precision sectioning.

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Diamond & CBN

Diamond & CBN Wafering Blade Guide

All you need to know about wafering blades (understanding variables & specifications) This guide is designed to help you navigate the various variables and possibilities associated with diamond wafering blades, crucial for precision sectioning and sample preparation. By gaining a deeper understanding of these variables and principles, you will be better equipped to identify which factors are most relevant to your specific metallography or sample preparation needs. This knowledge will enable you to make informed decisions about blade selection, ensuring optimal results and efficiency in your cutting operations.

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Diamond vs CBN

Understanding & Comparing Diamond & CBN Wafering Blades

Diamond wafering blades are designed for sectioning a large variety of materials and sample types. In order to identify the best diamond wafering blade for your specific material/application, we have implemented a grading system that spans diamond mesh/particle sizes from 5 (the finest) to 30 (the coarsest). This scale helps users select the appropriate blade for their specific sectioning requirements. A blade designated as number 10, for instance, will feature larger diamond particles than one rated at No. 5; however, the increase in particle size is not directly proportional, meaning they are not simply twice as large. Furthermore, we have provided cross-references to Buehler, Struers, and Leco part numbers, allowing you to easily find the equivalent diamond or CBN wafering blade for your needs.

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Selecting Right Wafering Blade for your application

Cross Sectioning is the first and most important step in the sample preparation process. Getting the best results involves obtaining a smooth surface finish, minimum chipping, material deformation, without sacrificing cutting speed. Today, most laboratories, work  with dozens...

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Custom Manufacturing

ARE YOU USING RIGHT TOOLS

FOR YOUR APPLICATION?

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HELP YOU

HAVING ISSUES WITH

YOUR CURRENT TOOLS?

Let us Help you Improve & Optimize your Diamond Machining Operation to Ultimate Level of Efficency

Developing close ties with our customers is the foundation of our business. At the core of our company is a team of world class engineers, knowledgeable customer service personnel here to serve you. Whether is designing or manufacturing a special solution. We will go out of our way to optimizing your slicing, dicing, and drilling operation to ultimate efficiency.

We Are a Partner In Your Success

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