Uses
– Angle grinders are used for cutting through materials such as steel chains, using cut-off discs or diamond blades.
– They can be used for removing excess material from a piece, with various discs available for different tasks.
– Angle grinders can also be used for grinding, polishing, and sanding, depending on the attachments used.
– They are commonly used in metalworking, construction, and machine shops.
– Angle grinders have even been used for emergency rescues and bicycle thefts.
Safety
– Angle grinders produce sparks when cutting ferrous metals and can create shards when cutting other materials, posing a hazard to the face and eyes.
– Full face shields and protective clothing should be worn when using angle grinders.
– The blades of angle grinders may break, so it is important to wear proper safety equipment and never use the grinder without the guard or handle attached.
– Workpieces should be securely clamped or held firmly in a vise to prevent accidents.
– A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that grinders under an unloaded condition ranged from 91 to 103 dBA in sound pressure level.
History
– The high-speed angle grinder was invented in 1954 by the German company Ackermann + Schmitt (FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH) in Steinheim an der Murr.
– Angle grinders are colloquially known as ‘flex’ in German, Dutch, Slovak, Czech, Polish, Croatian, Romanian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Latvian.
– In Italy and Spanish-speaking countries, they are sometimes called ‘flexible.’
– In Switzerland, angle grinders are known as ‘Perles’ from a popular brand of cutting tools.
– In Polish, they are also referred to as ‘kątówka’ or ‘gumówka,’ which relates to the elasticity of certain types of discs.
Related topics
– Abrasive saws are similar to angle grinders and are used for cutting materials.
– The health impacts of sawdust are relevant when using angle grinders, as they can generate particulates when cutting.
– These related topics provide additional information and context for understanding angle grinders.
External links
– Safework SA provides information on angle grinders and safety guidelines.
– Metalworking and machining are related fields that involve the use of angle grinders.
– Computer-aided engineering (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are technologies used in conjunction with machining processes.
– G-code is a programming language used in numerical control (NC) and computer numerical control (CNC) systems.
– The Stewart platform is a mechanism used for precision control in various applications, including machining. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_grinder
An angle grinder, also known as a side grinder or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for grinding (abrasive cutting) and polishing. Although developed originally as tools for rigid abrasive discs, the availability of an interchangeable power source has encouraged their use with a wide variety of cutters and attachments.
Angle grinders can be powered by an electric motor or compressed air. The motor drives a geared head at a right-angle on which is mounted an abrasive disc or a thinner cut-off disc, either of which can be replaced when worn. Angle grinders typically have an adjustable guard and a side-handle for two-handed operation. Certain angle grinders, depending on their speed range, can be used as sanders, employing a sanding disc with a backing pad or disc. The backing system is typically made of hard plastic, phenolic resin, or medium-hard rubber depending on the amount of flexibility desired.
Angle grinders are standard equipment in metal fabrication shops and on construction sites. They are also common in machine shops, along with die grinders and bench grinders.
