3M Canada has introduced 4 Cubitron 3 abrasive products for cutting, grinding and metal preparation in bodyshops.
The products use shaped ceramic grains designed to expose new cutting points as they wear. Performance figures are based on 3M’s internal automated testing against equivalent Cubitron II products.
Cubitron 3 file belts
The file belts are designed for removing rivets and spot welds with a file belt sander.
They recorded the largest increase in sustained cut rate among the 4 products. Testing found a rate up to 1.8 times higher than Cubitron II file belts, with up to 1.5 times more material removed.
The belts are available in 1/2-inch by 18-inch (12.7 mm by 457.2 mm), 3/8-inch by 13-inch (10 mm by 330 mm) and 3/4-inch by 20.5-inch (20 mm by 520 mm) sizes. Each is offered in 40+, 60+ and 80+ grades.
Cubitron 3 Roloc fibre discs
The Roloc fibre discs are the smallest products in the line. They are designed to produce less heat than the previous Cubitron II versions.
Testing recorded a sustained cut rate up to 1.4 times higher and up to 1.2 times more material removed.
The discs are available in 2-inch (50 mm) and 3-inch (75 mm) diameters in 36+, 60+ and 80+ grades. They can be used with 3M’s pistol-grip body repair disc sander.
Cubitron 3 fibre discs
The larger fibre discs are designed for jobs requiring more surface coverage.
According to 3M, they last longer, remove more material and require fewer disc changes than Cubitron II fibre discs.
Testing recorded a sustained cut rate up to 1.5 times higher and up to 1.4 times more material removed.
The discs are available in 5-inch by 7/8-inch (125 mm by 22 mm) and 7-inch by 7/8-inch (180 mm by 22 mm) sizes. Both are offered in 36+, 60+ and 80+ grades.
Cubitron 3 cut-off wheels
The cut-off wheels are designed for cutting body panels, pipes, bolts and other metal parts.
They combine Cubitron 3 shaped grain with a proprietary molecular bonding technology intended to improve cutting performance.
Testing recorded a sustained cut rate and material removal rate up to 1.4 times higher than Cubitron II cut-off wheels.
The line includes 3-inch by 1/16-inch (75 mm by 1.6 mm), 3-inch by 1/25-inch (75 mm by 1 mm), 4-inch by 1/25-inch (100 mm by 1 mm) and 4.5-inch by 1/25-inch (115 mm by 1 mm) wheels.
The 3-inch and 4-inch wheels use a 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) shank. The 4.5-inch wheel uses a 7/8-inch (22.2 mm) shank.
