Norton Abrasives Improves and Expands Depressed Center Wheels Offering for Metal Fabricating
Multi-tier product offering features high-performance upgrades, expanded line and superior features, providing metal fabricators more "Muscle Behind The Machine".
WORCESTER, MA, USA - Saint-Gobain Abrasives (November 9, 2010) - Norton, the world's largest abrasives manufacturer and leading supplier in metal fabrication for over 125 years, has recently expanded their depressed center wheels offering for right angle grinding, making high-performance enhancements and introducing new products and features within their broad line.
"Norton continues to expand and improve the industry's most complete line of right angle grinding wheels with the largest selection of sizes, thicknesses, performance levels and specialty products in the BEST offering of Norzon® Plus, BETTER offering of Charger(TM) Plus and GOOD offering of Gemini® and Norton Metal," said Mr. David Long, Director of Marketing, Strategy and Marketing Information at Saint-Gobain Abrasives.
Product Expansion
Norton has expanded their "Charger Plus" and "Gemini" lines to include new INOX contaminant-free wheels which contain less than .01% iron, sulfur or chlorine for rust-free and corrosion-free results that prevent contamination of stainless steel. Norton has also expanded their Norton "Metal" line of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide for the end user that is looking for the most competitive initial price.
Performance Enhancements
Norton has upgraded its high-performance NorZon Plus Wheels with patented SG ceramic alumina grain and a new advanced bonding system that provides 2x the cut rate and up to 10x the life over aluminum oxide wheels, offering the lowest total cost in the industry. Norton Depressed Center Wheels also now feature heavy-duty foundry raised hubs which are designed for high performance grinding in the most severe applications and stock removal needs.
New Product Features
A new improved marking system that shows decimal thickness ranging from .040 to .125 is now being implemented for wheels that are designed to be used on the periphery for cutting and notching. Norton continues to expand the 4-1/2" and 5" mini discs offering which feature a unique, patented mini-mount hub. The unique mini-mount design provides up to 30% more wheel life because the hub covers just a small surface area, maximizing the grinding area exposure and usage.
NorZon® Plus Depressed Center Wheels
Offering the BEST productivity for steel, stainless steel and other ferrous metals, NorZon Plus features a combination of patented Norton SG (ceramic alumina) and NorZon (zirconia alumina) with a new advanced bond system. This provides 50-200% better overall performance versus competitive zirconia and ceramic wheels, up to 10x the performance of aluminum oxide wheels and 50% or better cut rate than competitive zirconia wheels. Norzon Plus delivers the lowest total grinding cost and highest productivity.
Charger(TM) Plus Depressed Center Wheels
Charger Plus is the BETTER choice for steel, stainless steel and other ferrous metals, with a high ratio of zirconia alumina blended with aluminum oxide, to provide 3x the life of standard aluminum oxide wheels, and an excellent performance to price ratio which lowers total grinding costs.
Gemini® and Norton Metal Depressed Center Wheels
A GOOD choice for steel and ferrous metals, Gemini features quality aluminum oxide for consistent performance at a competitive price. In addition to Gemini, Norton Metal wheels continue to be added to the offering for end users who are looking for good performance at a very competitive initial price.
Norton depressed center wheels are available in sizes 2-9"; in .040-.250" thicknesses; in grit ranges from 24-46 for stock removal and 60, 80, 120 for blending and finishing; and in Type 27, Type 28 and Type 29.
About Saint-Gobain
Norton is a brand of Saint-Gobain. With more than 1,000 subsidiaries in 59 countries, Saint-Gobain (http://www.saint-gobain.com/en) is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of building materials, and a leader in the production of high performance materials, glass containers and abrasives. Founded in 1665 and headquartered in Paris, Saint-Gobain had worldwide sales of $52.7 billion in 2009 and employs approximately 209,000 people. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain employs approximately 19,000 people, and had sales of $6.8 billion in 2009. The company has approximately 150 manufacturing plants and more than 150 distribution outlets throughout North America.
Numerous new Norton and Merit brand products were showcased at FABTECH, the metal fabricating industry's main event, which took place on November 2-4, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. At the show, Norton demonstrated how their full range of products that provide the "Muscle Behind the Machine" on right angle grinders, random orbital sanders, pneumatic die grinders and large diameter cut-off machines, in BEST, BETTER and GOOD performance categories.
Editorial Contact:
Michael McCue
McCue & Associates LLC
(978) 733-1353
mmccue@mccueassociates.com
Saint-Gobain
Contact: David Long
Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
(508) 795-4435
david.j.long@saint-gobain.com
