For many glass factories, choosing the right diamond wheel or resin wheel is only half the story. The real challenge begins once these tools go into daily CNC production. Proper maintenance directly affects polishing quality, tool lifespan, and even machine stability. And honestly, a lot of companies overlook this part — until the edges start turning cloudy or chipping appears out of nowhere.

So, how do you maintain these wheels the right way? Let’s walk through it in a practical, easy-to-follow way.

1. Clean the Wheels Regularly to Prevent Glazing

Both diamond wheels and resin wheels accumulate glass powder during operation. If this material isn’t cleaned off, the wheel surface becomes “glazed,” making cutting slower and polishing weaker.

Correct cleaning frequency:

• Heavy grinding → after each shift

• Fine edge polishing → every 2–3 hours

• Ultra-clear glass → as soon as glossiness drops

A soft brush with proper coolant flushing is enough. Avoid using hard metal tools that could damage the wheel surface.

2. Use Enough Coolant — This Is More Important Than You Think

Coolant is one of those things everyone knows is important, but many factories still underestimate it. Insufficient coolant causes:

• Overheating

• Fast resin wear

• Micro-cracks on the glass edge

• Reduced sharpness of diamond grits

For CNC machines, ensure the coolant stream fully covers the wheel–glass contact area. The pressure must be stable — sometimes it is not.

You’ll notice instantly that the wheel runs smoother and produces cleaner edges when coolant is optimized.

3. Keep the Wheels Dressed (Yes, Even Resin Wheels)

Diamond wheels require periodic dressing to restore grit exposure and maintain a stable profile.
But here’s the part many forget: resin wheels also need light dressing, especially when polishing high-transparency edges.

A simple dressing stone or diamond dresser works well.

Signs your wheel needs dressing:

• Polishing becomes slow

• Edges appear misty

• Wheel vibrates slightly

• Glass temperature increases

Keeping wheels sharp equals better edges and longer wheel life.

4. Monitor Wheel Pressure and Feed Rates

As we discussed in previous posts, the relationship between your tool set and CNC parameters matters a lot. Too much pressure wears out the wheel quickly; too little pressure reduces polishing quality.

General guidelines:

• Rough grinding → higher pressure + moderate feed rate

• Fine grinding → medium pressure + lower feed rate

• Polishing → very light pressure + slow, stable feed

If you hear unusual noise or vibration, stop immediately — something is off.

5. Store Wheels Properly When Not in Use

Diamond wheels are more durable, but resin wheels are sensitive to:

• moisture

• temperature changes

• direct sunlight

Store them in a dry place with stable temperature. For long-term storage, wrap them individually to avoid deformation. It sounds simple, but trust me, improper storage is one of the most common reasons resin wheels fail early.

6. Replace Wheels Before They Cause Quality Problems

Here’s a practical tip many experienced factories follow:
Replace your wheel slightly before it reaches the end of its lifespan.

Why?
Because the last 10% of wear often leads to unstable polishing, heat buildup, or chipping. Replacing sooner saves you from rework and machine downtime.

A good rule of thumb is to track wheel usage hours. For example:

• Diamond rough grinding wheels → 120–200 hours

• Resin polishing wheels → 40–80 hours

Actual numbers vary, but having a record helps a lot.

Maintaining diamond and resin wheels properly is not complicated — it’s about consistency. Clean them often, cool them well, dress them lightly, and monitor your CNC parameters.

Do this right, and you’ll enjoy:
✔ Longer wheel lifespan
✔ Brighter, clearer glass edges
✔ Fewer defects and reworks
✔ Higher production stability

And well, that’s exactly what your customers expect from high-quality CNC glass processing.