SMART CUT®
Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels (Electroplated)

SMART CUT® Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels are engineered to deliver exceptional performance for precision grinding applications, providing superior results in both rough and fine grinding. These wheels are ideal for use in industries that require highly accurate EDM processing and consistent wafer-to-wafer results. Manufactured with synthetic diamond grit, SMART CUT® wheels offer improved surface roughness and extended tool life due to their tightly controlled diamond distribution and uniform bond structure.

Features:

Application:

SMART CUT® Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels are suitable for use with a variety of materials, including:

Diamond Dressers

About Nickel Bond
(Electroplated) Tools

Electroplated (nickel bond) diamond products usually have a single layer of diamonds, held by a tough durable nickel alloy. Nickel is frequently used as a base for plating diamond. Because of its excellent strength, toughness and flexibility during the plating process. Electroplated diamond products are able to retain their original shape and dimensions thought their working life. Unlike sintered (meal bond) or resin bond diamond products, where diamond particles are buried in bond and held together by metal or resin binder deep inside.

Electroplating allows diamond particles to protrude from the bond matrix, providing a free, faster cutting action with minimum heat generation.

Electroplated Diamond Products Manufactured by UKAM Industrial are Multi Layered. They have 3 layers of diamonds, not just 1 layer of diamonds like conventional electroplated diamond tools. 

Multi Layered

Electroplated Diamond & CBN Coatings

They have several layers of diamonds, held by a tough durable nickel alloy. Providing high  diamond  concentration, better diamond crystal retention and maximum diamond particle (grit) exposure/protrusion ratio. This provides freer,  faster cutting  action  with  minimum heat generation. Advantages of this type of technology include: longer tool life, more uniformity in performance, less stress to material being worked on, minimum material deformation, and better preservation of true material micro structure. This is specially important for more delicate, sensitive applications such as: glass, crystals, silicon wafers, carbon composites, sapphire, etc.

Electroplating is the only bond that allows different diamond crystal protrusion/exposure through use of different coating thicknesses. Usually the exposure ratio is based on the application (materials to be cut) The final specification depends primarily on the machining task and the associated necessary chip clearance space. For high-speed grinding the coating thickness should be about 30 to 40% of the grit particle diameter, when grinding or cutting glass fibre-reinforced plastics 30 to 50%, when machining ceramic material and cemented carbide 60 to 70%, and when machining stone up to 100%.

Its What You Cant See That Makes All The Difference

SMART CUT® technology

How SMART CUT ® Bond Works?

Step 1
Sharpest And Finest Quality Diamonds

Sharpest And Finest Quality Diamonds

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.

The newly exposed diamonds don’t effect diamonds already working on the material. Unlike many other diamond bonds, diamonds in a SMART CUT®  Bond remains sharp and grow sharper with each cut, prolonging product life and consistent performance.

Step 2
Sharpest And Finest Quality Diamonds

Diamonds or CBN Crystals

Diamonds or CBN Crystals are activated only at the exposed layer. As Bond Matrix layer begin to wear out, diamonds in a new Bond Matrix layer are immediately activated, substituting the already used up diamond layer. The SMART CUT® Diamond Hybrid Bond makes sure every diamond is in the right place and at the right time, working where you need it most.

Step 3
Sharpest And Finest Quality Diamonds

Advanced Formulated Open Diamond Bond Design

This advanced formulated open diamond bond design insures minimal chipping, fast cut, constant speed of cut, minimal cutting noise, and most important of all, consistent performance.

About Edge Grinding Process

Once the peripheral dimensions of the silicon wafers are established through peripheral grinding, attention turns to surface and edge grinding. This stage is crucial for achieving the necessary flatness and surface quality for semiconductor fabrication, which involves intricate processes like photolithography and various deposition techniques.

Surface and edge grinding play several key roles. Firstly, surface grinding ensures the wafers are perfectly flat, which is vital for the success of subsequent photolithographic processes where any deviation can cause focus issues and pattern distortions.Secondly, edge grinding targets the wafer’s outer rim to remove microscopic cracks or chips that could propagate during processing and potentially lead to wafer breakage. Lastly, both grinding methods enhance the smoothness of the wafer's surface, essential for the uniform deposition of thin films and other materials in later stages.

Manufacturing Processes for Silicon Semiconductors From Ingot to Integrated Circuit

These grinding processes use specialized machines equipped with fine-grit, diamond-coated grinding wheels, performing under tightly controlled conditions. The selection of the grinding wheel is critical; wheels with finer abrasive particles are chosen for a smoother finish, while coarser grits are used for rapid material removal. Key grinding parameters such as wheel speed, feed rate, and depth of cut are carefully optimized to balance the removal rate with surface quality, and these parameters often vary depending on the type of silicon wafer and its intended application.

Coolants play an essential role in surface and edge grinding, minimizing thermal stress and flushing away silicon particles from the grinding interface. This prevents overheating and reduces the risk of surface contamination and damage. An excellent coolant for this application.

SMART CUT® HD-2 is a synthetic coolant specifically designed for the cutting of semiconductor materials, including sapphire, silicon, germanium, single-crystal SiC, and II-VI crystals. This coolant offers excellent cut rates and imparts outstanding surface finishes with reduced warp and total thickness variation (TTV). It is ideal for diamond abrasive cropping, squaring, and wafering of silicon ingots and wafers. 

Despite being routine, surface and edge grinding present several challenges. Maintaining uniform thickness across a single wafer and from one wafer to another is particularly challenging as wafer diameters increase. Grinding can also introduce sub-surface damage like micro-cracks and stresses, which must be minimized to ensure the mechanical and functional integrity of the wafers. Achieving the right balance in material removal is crucial; too much removal can weaken a wafer, while insufficient grinding may leave defects.

HD-2B Coolant

The quality of surface and edge grinding directly impacts the subsequent steps of semiconductor device fabrication. Imperfections in flatness or surface quality can adversely affect the lithography process,potentially leading to defective circuit patterns. Moreover, the integrity of the wafer's edges is critical to prevent breakage during handling, especially as wafers become larger and thinner.

Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels:
Electroplated vs. Sintered (Metal Bond)

Diamond edge grinding wheels are essential tools for high-precision grinding applications, particularly when working with hard and brittle materials such as ceramics, glass, and semiconductor wafers. These wheels are available in two main types: electroplated and sintered (metal bond), each offering distinct advantages depending on the specific grinding requirements. Below, we explore the differences between these two types of diamond edge grinding wheels, helping you choose the right one for your application.

Electroplated Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels

Electroplated diamond wheels are made by electroplating diamond particles onto a metal core using an electrochemical process. This bonding technique results in a high concentration of diamond particles exposed at the surface of the wheel. The primary feature of electroplated wheels is their fast cutting ability, making them ideal for applications where quick material removal is necessary.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Sintered (Metal Bond) Diamond Edge Grinding Wheels

Sintered diamond wheels, also known as metal bond wheels, are manufactured by embedding diamond particles into a metal matrix, which is then heated and compressed to form a solid bond. This bond type is known for its durability and gradual wear characteristics, offering consistent performance over extended periods.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Sintered metal bond edge grinding wheels and plated
(electroplated) edge grinding wheels:

Attribute

Sintered Metal Bond Edge Grinding Wheels

Plated (Electroplated) Edge Grinding Wheels

Bond Type 

Metal bond (sintered) 

Electroplated (diamond particles directly bonded to the core)

Cutting Speed 

 Slower cutting speed, controlled and consistent material removal

Faster cutting speed, ideal for rapid material removal

Tool Life 

Longer lifespan, gradual diamond exposure, consistent performance 

Shorter lifespan, diamonds wear out quickly, more frequent replacement

Durability 

High durability for heavy-duty grinding 

 Less durable under heavy grinding, more prone to wear

Surface Finish Quality 

 High-quality finish, minimal edge chipping, consistent results

May cause more edge chipping and surface inconsistencies, lower finish quality

Subsurface Damage 

 Lower subsurface damage due to controlled diamond release

Generally lower subsurface damage but can vary depending on wear

Chipping & Cracking 

 Minimal edge chipping, excellent for precision grinding of brittle materials 

Higher risk of edge chipping due to faster wear and less controlled cutting

Precision & Consistency

Excellent for high-precision grinding with consistent results

 May show more variation in performance over time

Grinding Efficiency 

 Moderate material removal rate, suitable for controlled, precise grinding 

High material removal rate, efficient for quick grinding

Suitability for Hard Materials 

Excellent for hard, brittle materials (e.g., ceramics, sapphire, glass) 

 Better suited for softer or thin materials (e.g., thin wafers, soft ceramics)

Risk of Edge Chipping 

Low risk, ideal for delicate edge grinding

Higher risk, especially on brittle materials

Cost 

Higher upfront cost but cost-effective in the long run due to longer lifespan 

Lower initial cost but higher long-term replacement costs

Maintenance Requirements 

 Requires more frequent dressing to maintain optimal performance 

Requires less frequent dressing, but needs more frequent replacement

Suitability for Fine Finishes

 Ideal for high-precision, fine finishes with minimal edge chipping 

Suitable for rough or medium finishes, less precise for fine work

Grinding Applications 

 Precision edge grinding, wafer processing, ceramics, hard materials 

 High-throughput grinding, thin materials, rapid material removal

Customization Options 

 Can be tailored with different grit sizes, bond strengths, and profiles

Can be customized in terms of grit size and profile but with limitations on bond strength

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