ANSI B7.
1-2000
8 Special speeds
8.1 Introduction
This section of the standard defines the re-
quirements for special speeds as well as the
conditions and responsibilities of the wheel
manufacturer, the machine supplier (e.g.
manufacturer, reconstructor, modifier, in-
staller, integrator; including one who con-
verts, changes, or otherwise alters a grind-
ing or cutting-off machine from the design or
purpose as originally supplied).
Special speeds apply to wheels and ma-
chines used at speeds in excess of those
listed in table 23, page 99.
8.2 Requirements for special speeds
Wheels used on special applications at
speeds higher than those listed in table 23,
page 99, shall only be used subject to the
following three conditions on effectively
guarded, fully protected machines.
8.2.1 Condition A — The wheel manufac-
turer
The wheel manufacturer shall make certain
that the wheels are of adequate strength,
have been tested at a suitable overspeed in
accordance with sections 8.3.2 and 8.3.3,
pages 106 - 107, and bear the wheel
manufacturer's approval of the higher speed.
See section 1.2.51, page 5, for definition of
"wheel manufacturer."
8.2.2 Condition B — The machine supplier
The machine supplier shall make certain at
time of manufacture that the machine is of
suitable design and adequately guarded for
the operation in question. See section 1.2.49,
page 5, for definition of "machine supplier."
It shall be the machine builder's responsibil-
ity to consult with a wheel manufacturer to
determine that a wheel for the special speed
application can be manufactured and tested
in accordance with the requirements in sec-
tion 8.3.2.
Explanatory Information
(NOT PART OF ANSI STANDARD)
E 8.1 Introduction
This section of the standard is designed to
recognize the importance of continuing de-
velopment in the science of grinding with
bonded abrasive wheels. Research has fre-
quently shown an increase in productivity
with increased wheel speed. However, the
destructive forces of a broken wheel also
increase exponentially with increased speed.
Consequently, a constant reference to, and
a knowledge of the requirements of this stan-
dard will be helpful in the development of
new, safe equipment.
E 8.2 Requirements for special speeds
When wheels are used at speeds in excess
of standard speeds listed in table 23,
page 99, extra precautions should be ob-
served to assure safe operation of the abra-
sive wheel.
E 8.2.1 Condition A — The wheel manu-
facturer
The wheel manufacturer should do such test-
ing as he deems necessary to establish an
adequate factor of safety before approving
the wheel for the higher speed. The wheel
should be marked that it has been approved
for high speed application under specific
conditions of use.
E 8.2.2 Condition B — The machine supplier
The machine supplier should be sure the
components of the machine such as spindle,
bearings, guards, flanges, horsepower, etc.,
are adequate for the grinding operation. Be-
cause of design and composition limitations,
certain abrasive wheels will not be suitable
for special speed operations. It is therefore,
important that the machine supplier and abra-
sive wheel manufacturer cooperate to make
certain a wheel of adequate strength can be
manufactured for the operation in question.
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ANSI B7.1-2000
8.2.3 Condition C — The user E 8.2.3 Condition C — The user
The machine user shall make certain that The minimum guard requirements of sec-
the machine is approved to be operated at tion 4, page 50, should be met. Where guard
the special wheel speed and that the ma- data for the wheel size and operating speed
chine is maintained in a satisfactory condi- to be used are not available, requirements
tion, as defined in sections 3 and 4. See should be established by actual test. The
section 1.3.27, page 16, for definition of machine user should also maintain machines
"user." in good condition for continuing safety (see
section 3, page 38).
8.3 Wheel manufacturer's responsibility E 8.3 Wheel manufacturer's responsibility
It shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon- It is important that wheels used at special
sibility to speed test each and every wheel speeds be tested and identified for use at
required for special speeds as follows. the proper maximum operating speeds.
8.3.1 Blade tensioning E 8.3.1 Blade tensioning
Steel centered superabrasive cut-off wheels Blade tensioning requires the use of various
must be tensioned for the speed at which means to neutralize the residual stresses so
they are intended to be used; tested for the that the wheel will run true at the speed for
intended speed and marked with the which it is marked. The wheel is tensioned
maximum intended speed. and tested at the intended speed by the
manufacturer. The intended or marked speed
Exception:
may be less than the maximum speed al-
Cut-off wheels 18" or less in diameter which lowed (16,000 SFPM). The lower speeds
are marked in equivalent RPM for operation (8,000 to 12,000 SFPM) have been found to
at or less than 12,000 SFPM. be the optimum speed for the best cutting
action and economy. The operating speed is
8.3.2 Manufacturer's test for vitrified
stamped, etched or otherwise marked on the
bonded wheels
core in RPM.
It shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon-
sibility to speed test all wheels operated at
speeds higher than the standard speeds as
listed in table 23, page 99, in accordance
with table 25, page 101.
Exceptions: Wheels that need not be speed
tested are:
a. wheels less than 4" diameter;
b. wheels 4" diameter but less than 6" di-
ameter where the diameter (inches) mul-
tiplied by thickness (inches) is one or
less;
c. segments;
d. segmental disc wheels and disc wheels
which are not plate mounted;
e. mounted wheels.
A manufacturer may subject the vitrified
bonded wheel specification to ANSI B74.21,
Fatigue Proof Test Procedure for Vitrified
Grinding Wheels. This procedure outlines a
method to calculate a speed test necessary
to assure against premature failure due to

106
 ANSI B7.1-2000
fatigue. The calculated speed test is a func-
tion of the maximum operating speed, the
useful lifetime of the wheel and the suscep-
tibility of the wheel to fatigue. The speed
test factor calculated using this procedure
may be used instead of the value of 1.5
specified in table 25, page 101. If the speed
test factor calculated is less than 1.2, then a
value of no less than 1.2 shall be used.
8.3.3 Manufacturer's test for organic E 8.3.3 Manufacturer's test
bonded and all other bonded wheels, ex-
For wheels not subject to the speed test,
cept vitrified bonded wheels
other means should be used to ensure ad-
It shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon- equate strength for the higher speeds.
sibility to speed test all wheels operated at
It is important that wheels used at special
speeds higher than the standard speeds as
speeds be tested and identified for use at
listed in table 23, page 99, in accordance
the proper maximum operating speeds.
with table 25, page 101.
Exceptions: Wheels that need not be speed
tested are:
a. wheels less than 4" diameter;
b. wheels 4" diameter but less than 6" di-
ameter where the product of diameter
(inches) multiplied by thickness (inches)
is one or less;
c. segments;
d. segmental disc wheels and disc wheels
which are not plate mounted;
e. mounted wheels;
f. metal centered (not powdered metal),
metal bonded Type 1A1 and segmental
diamond and CBN wheels.
8.3.4 Identification E 8.3.4 Identification
It shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon- Wheels approved for special speed applica-
sibility to identify wheels which may be run tions should have the special speed indi-
at special speeds. cated on the wheels, blotters, accompanying
tags, stickers or container.
8.4 Machine supplier's responsibility E 8.4 Machine supplier’s responsibility
It shall be the responsibility of the machine The machine supplier should decide upon
supplier to design and construct those ma- the fitness of the machine for it's intended
chine components which are concerned with use and supply the machine in conformance
the proper and safe operation of the grinding to this standard. If it becomes necessary or
or cutting-off wheels for the speed and the desirable to change the machine from it's
type of operation for which the machine is original intended use, it is important to rec-
intended. The design and construction shall ognize that any safety related machine modi-
conform to this standard. fication must conform to this standard and
that the modifier bares the sole responsibil-
ity for it.

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ANSI B7.1-2000
8.5 User's responsibility
The user shall be responsible for the proper
handling, storage, and inspection of abra-
sive wheels after receipt in accordance with
the requirements of section 2, page 27, and
section 6.1, page 87.
It shall be the responsibility of the user to
maintain his grinding equipment in a safe
operating condition at all times. Rules of
safe operation of this equipment submitted
by the machine supplier shall be observed,
as well as those rules specified in other
sections of this standard.
When an existing machine is altered by the
user to operate at special speeds, the user
shall assume all of the responsibility of a
machine supplier as outlined in this stan-
dard.
The user shall fully inform all operating per-
sonnel that only wheels identified for opera-
tion at special speeds shall be used and that
at no time shall the maximum speed of the
wheel be exceeded.
Protection to operating personnel, as well as
adjacent areas, shall be maintained at all
times.
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E 8.5 User's responsibility
The maximum operating speed as determined
by the manufacturer is dependent on the
wheel shape and strength. The strength of a
bonded abrasive wheel may be defined as
the ability of the wheel to withstand rota-
tional stress.
Under no condition should a wheel be oper-
ated faster than the maximum operating
speed established by the manufacturer. This
is the responsibility of the wheel user.
It is an important responsibility of the user to
maintain grinding in a safe operating condi-
tion. Machine suppliers usually issue rules
for the safe operation of their equipment or
fasten warning signs to their machines call-
ing attention to areas that could be unsafe if
the rules or signs are disregarded. The user
should recognize the importance of instruct-
ing personnel concerning these safety warn-
ings.
Furthermore, grinding machines are usually
designed to perform certain specific opera-
tions. It is strongly recommended that the
machines be used only on those types of
operations for which they are designed.