UC Davis

© 2016, German Academic Society for Production Engineering (WGP). Grinding and honing processes are quality-defining operations in the production of many modern products. Process performance and product quality are contingent on selecting the correct abrasive tool for a specific application. Thus, tools with different bonding systems are used, namely resin bonded tools, vitrified bonded tools, and metallic bonded tools. Tool manufacturers have great knowledge in the choice and intricate production of these bond types and their countless variants. Most bond systems pass through mixing, forming, pressing, heat treatment, and post-processing steps. Single-layer metallic bonds can be generated by electroplating or brazing processes. This article reviews the manufacturing of tools with different bonding systems and discusses their ingredients. Furthermore, the economic, environmental and social dimension of tool production and tool use are considered to understand sustainability issues of different bond types. The review of tool manufacturing is necessary to enable informed life cycle assessments or other sustainability analyses for grinding or honing.