Safety

Flanges: A Critical Link in Grinding Wheel Safety

20 Mar 2024

Would you feel safe driving a car at 100 miles per hour, knowing that the wheels were damaged or not fully secured?

The wheels on a car are similar to the flanges on a grinder because they both transmit rotation from a shaft to another component. On a car, the wheels link the drive axles to the tires, while on a grinder, the flanges link the arbor to the grinding wheel.

Bearing in mind this similarity, and considering that many grinding wheels operate at or above 100 miles per hour (8,800 sfpm), the question becomes, would you feel safe operating a grinding wheel knowing that the flanges were damaged or not fully secured?

Improper flanging causes additional stresses to the abrasive wheel and is a common cause of wheel breakage; therefore, the design and condition of flanges must meet the requirements of ANSI B7.1. The ANSI standard provides safety specifications in the areas of flange design and flange condition.

Flange Design

For various grinding applications, flanges must conform to the proper dimensions, material, and flange type. Most grinding wheels require flanges with recesses, while some specific types do not. Flanges in a set must always be uniform in diameter. Certain grinding wheel flanges require undercuts near the arbor sleeve. Although these design features may seem small and trivial, they exist for specific safety reasons.

Flange Condition

Flanges must be maintained in good condition with respect to flatness (in both mounted and unmounted states), finish, balance, wear, and truth. Over-tightening flanges can cause warping or other damage. Using new blotters whenever a wheel is mounted is an important safety measure that protects your flanges from abrasion.

An unsecured or improperly flanged grinding wheel can break and cause serious injury. Careful design and periodic inspection of grinding wheel mounting flanges are critical to safe operation.

Be proactive in your approach to safety. Review ANSI B7.1 to ensure your flanges are appropriately designed for your application(s). Establish a regular inspection routine for flanges, spindles, and other mounting equipment.

For more safety information, see our grinding wheel safety and wheel guards and face shields articles.

For additional information on this topic or if you need any other abrasive safety information, please review the Norton Product Safety page, ANSI, OSHA, and all literature provided by the abrasive wheel and machine manufacturer. You may contact the Saint-Gobain Product Safety Department at (508) 795-2317, or contact your Saint-Gobain Abrasives representative with any safety related questions.