Preforming/ Sawing Machine

speed control grinding preforming and trim saw sawing machine digital

Starting from sawing to sanding of a gem stone performed by this combo machine. Required a circular sawing blade and different preforming wheels for each step.

Video

UltraFacet PD62

SAWING

In most gem sawing, a thin circular blade usually composed of steel, copper, or a phosphor bronze alloy impregnated along the outer edge with diamond grit and rotating at several thousand surface feet per minute literally scratches its way through a gemstone. A liquid such as oil or water is used to wash away cutting debris and keep the stone and the saw blade from overheating, which could cause damage to both the stone and the saw blade.

Several sizes of circular stone sawing blades are used in this machine:

Trim saw blade: Typically 6 inches in diameter, is used to cut stones into thin slabs or to cut small sections out of slabs.

Faceter’s trim saw blade: Typically 4 inches in diameter, is used with a very thin blade, to saw small pieces of expensive stones

Combo machine with sawing blade (Could use two grind wheels by removing blade)

PREFORMING

Grinding, usually with silicon carbide wheels or diamond-impregnated wheels, is used to shape gemstones to a desired rough form, called a preform. Water or oil used to remove debris and prevent overheating.

Preforming Wheel : Typically 6 inches very coarse diamond or silicon carbide, such as #60, #100 or #300 preform wheel is used for rapid removal of stone.

SANDING AND POLISHING (BY HAND)

Sanding is similar to preforming but uses finer abrasives. Its purpose is to remove deep scratches left by coarser abrasives during preforming. Since it removes material less rapidly, it also allows more delicate control over final shaping of the stone prior to polishing.

Sanding Wheel : Typically 6 inches finer abrasive #600, or #1200 preform wheel is used for final shaping and sanding. #1200 also used for polish the stone with hand.