Grinding Department

    The grinding department takes the cured rubber tubes and slips them onto grinding mandrels. The tube (and mandrel) are then mounted on a lathe. The Shop Order is checked to identify the desired outside diameter and the grinding wheel or blade is set to the required dimension.

   As the lathe rapidly rotates the rubber tube, a grinding wheel or blade removes the outside surface of the tube. In so doing, any wrap marks left on the tube from the curing process are removed and the tube's outside diameter (and wall thickness) is realized.

   Throughout the run, tubes are sampled and charted to verify that the process is still in spec. Once completed, the tubes are sent to cutting to have the final cuts made.