Grinding thin sheet requires control of heat and material removal. A wheel that removes metal quickly can still distort a panel if it remains in one spot or receives excessive pressure. This guide explains where the Japanese-made FUJI NATTOKU depressed-center grinding wheel fits, what the catalog actually specifies, and how to evaluate it on your workpiece.
NATTOKU specifications: read AWA 30 P BF correctly
The catalog lists abrasive AWA, grain size 30, grade P and reinforcement/bond designation BF. P is the wheel grade; it is not a name for a special “P-grade white alumina” abrasive. The listed maximum peripheral speed is 80 m/s. The wheel label and grinder manual determine the permitted combination.
| Diameter × thickness × bore | Catalog designation | Selection note |
|---|---|---|
| 105 × 6 × 15 mm | AWA 30 P BF | Confirm 15 mm mounting system |
| 125 × 6 × 22 mm | AWA 30 P BF | Confirm guard and flange fit |
| 150 × 6 × 22 mm | AWA 30 P BF | Match the grinder's approved diameter |
| 180 × 6 × 22 mm | AWA 30 P BF | Read the speed marking on the actual wheel |
| 180 × 6 × 22.23 mm | AWA 30 P BF | Separately listed high-speed version |
The catalog identifies general steel and cast iron applications and also marks alloy steel and aluminum. Confirm the exact material and surface requirement before use. A stainless-steel or contamination-sensitive application needs explicit suitability confirmation; do not infer an iron-free specification from the product name.
Reducing heat on thin metal without promising “burn-free” results
FUJI describes reduced heat generation and less distortion of thin steel plate. This is a product characteristic, not a guarantee of zero discoloration under every operating condition. Sheet thickness, abrasive contact area, grinding time, pressure and the starting surface all influence temperature and finish.
- Support and secure the sheet to limit vibration and deflection.
- Use the wheel only for an operation permitted by its label and the machine instructions. A 6 mm grinding wheel is not a thin cut-off disc.
- Work in controlled passes rather than dwelling on one point. Avoid forcing the wheel.
- Inspect distortion, remaining thickness and surface quality during a trial. Stop if the workpiece overheats or the wheel behaves abnormally.
Dust and vibration still require workplace controls
The catalog describes reduced dust and hand-transmitted vibration. It does not provide an exposure measurement for your task or establish that the wheel prevents HAVS or respiratory disease. Grinding generates dust from both the abrasive and the workpiece. Use suitable extraction, assess exposure, maintain the tool and provide appropriate protective equipment. See our angle grinder vibration and HAVS risk-control guide.
A practical production trial
Compare NATTOKU with your current approved wheel on the same material, joint geometry and tool setting. Record time per acceptable part, wheel consumption, rework and operator observations. Assess dust and vibration separately using appropriate methods. A lower unit price is useful only if the finished part meets the drawing and the process remains controlled.
- Fabricators: specify steel grade, sheet thickness, weld condition and allowable distortion.
- Foundries: identify casting alloy, burr size and required stock removal.
- Distributors: confirm exact dimensions, stock status and a replacement plan before offering ongoing supply.
Questions before ordering
Can it guarantee no blueing or burn marks?
No. Heat reduction must be evaluated under the actual grinding conditions. Use a sample trial and define acceptance criteria.
Is NATTOKU interchangeable with JITAN?
Do not substitute solely by diameter. Confirm abrasive specification, thickness, bore, speed rating, application and availability for the proposed replacement.
What information should an inquiry include?
Send material grade, workpiece thickness, grinder model and speed, wheel dimensions, monthly quantity and the surface defect you want to address. Contact FUJI for application and availability confirmation.
Specification reference: FUJI 2025 catalog, page 65. Follow the instructions supplied with the actual wheel and machine.
