The flange joint is a component of grinding wheels used to connect the flange and the grinding wheel, allowing the joint to rotate smoothly and grind the work piece. Flanges are typically made of metal, such as steel, copper, aluminum, etc., which can withstand high-speed rotation and high temperatures, thus maintaining stability and safety of the flange joint. One of the advantages of the flange joint is its ease of replacement and installation. When the flange wears out or is damaged, simply remove the old flange and install a new one. This saves time and cost, while ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of the flange. In this article, we will explore the types and characteristics of flange joints.
Common Types and Characteristics of Flange Joints
In order to create a continuous loop of sandpaper or sandcloth, the two precut ends must be securely and permanently joined. The so-called flange jointing method typically runs at an angle of 45°-80° to the running direction of the loop to avoid sudden overlapping of the joint. Different flange jointing methods are used depending on the abrasive backing and purpose. Basically, there are two different types of flange jointing methods: butt joint and lap joint (overlap).
Butt Joint
- The butt joint is a method of joining the ends of the abrasive belt by putting them together.
- It provides a flat joint with balanced pressure, minimizing vibrations during operation.
- This jointing method often involves using special adhesive tapes that enhance the tensile strength of the joint and address issues of belt breakage.
- However, these special adhesive tapes can be costly, and the process of creating a butt joint requires technical expertise.
Overlap Joint
- In the manufacturing process, the overlap joint is used to balance the grinding force and ensure the smooth operation of the entire sanding belt within the machinery.
- Special treatment is applied to the joint to prevent the abrasive material from being subjected to unbalanced forces and causing damage.
- This method of sanding belt production is less time-consuming and can be mass-produced, resulting in lower production costs and higher profits for customers.
In these two joining methods, there are also other different ways that can be further subdivided to make the belt perfectly match specific abrasive belt. HONXIN uses the following belt joining methods:
| Common Types | Features | Applications |
 Abrasive belt joint E13-paper | The joint thickness does not exceed the thickness of the sandpaper | Suitable for all paper products. |
 Abrasive belt joint E13-cloth | The thickness of the joint in fabric-backed sanding belts always exceeds that of the backing material. | This is to ensure smooth contact with the drive wheel and to remove any burrs. |
 Abrasive belt joint E14-only cloth | The abrasive at the joint is removed, and the maximum thickness of the joint is less than the thickness of the belt. | Suitable for sanding curved surfaces of wood and wood-based materials. |
 Abrasive belt joint E07 | Butt joint | The ring belt in this type of joint can be used in any direction. |
 Abrasive belt jointE27 | Butt joint | Widely used, with no risk of bending |
 Abrasive belt jointE37 | Special butt joint, where the film to be joined is on one side of the sanding surface. | Used in special situations. |
In general, the jointing of the endless belt is an essential step in the belt manufacturing process. Different jointing methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, which need to be selected according to different application scenarios. Regardless of the jointing method used, attention must be paid to the strength and stability of the joint to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the belt in use.
