Related PostsIn industry, grinding tools are a crucial part of production. When the coating wears out, many people choose to buy new ones – but there is often a more cost-effective alternative: ombelaggning.
For electroplated diamond and CBN tools, recoating means you can reuse the tool body and get back the same functionality as a new product – at a lower cost.
What does resurfacing mean?
Recoating involves removing the worn diamond or CBN coating and replacing it with a new coating on the existing body (often steel).
The result:
- The tool regains its function and performance
- The same geometry and fit are retained
- In many cases, the tool will be as good as new – sometimes even better.
A big advantage: the tool can be recoated several times
One of the biggest advantages of electroplated tools is that they can be recoated multiple times, as long as the body is intact.
This means that one and the same tool can be used for a long time – which provides both economic and practical advantages in production.
When is resurfacing worthwhile?
Resurfacing is particularly profitable in the following situations:
1. When the tool has a valuable body
Special tools or customized solutions are often expensive to replace – here, resurfacing has a great effect.
2. In case of recurring production
Tools that are used continuously wear out regularly – making recoating a natural part of maintenance.
3. When only the coating is worn
If the body still has the correct dimensions and tolerances, there is no reason to discard the entire tool.
4. When you want to reduce downtime
Reusing existing tools can often provide shorter lead times compared to new manufacturing.
Resurfacing vs. buying new
| Factor | Re-coating | New tool |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Delivery time | Often shorter | Could be longer |
| Performance | Like new (sometimes better) | New |
| Life-span | Can be extended over multiple cycles | A life cycle |
A more sustainable solution
Resurfacing is not only economical – it is also a more sustainable option.
By reusing the tool body:
- reduces material consumption
- reduces waste
- reduces climate impact
For example, a 2 kg grinding wheel can save around 4 kg of CO₂ by re-coating instead of being manufactured anew.
When is it better to choose a new tool?
Recoating is not always the right choice. In some cases, a new tool is preferable:
- If the frame is damaged
- If tolerances can no longer be met
- If the tool is easy and cheap to replace
A technical assessment determines what is most profitable in each individual case.
Summary
Recoating diamond and CBN tools is an effective way to:
- reduce costs in production
- extend the life of tools
- reduce environmental impact
For many companies, it is an obvious part of an optimized and sustainable grinding process.
Do you want to know if your tools can be recoated?
Contact us and we will make a quick assessment of your tools and calculate the potential.
It's an easy way to both save money and improve your production.
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