ForConstructionPros.com

Harry Spaulding

The project opportunities for grinding systems range from enormous assignments like warehouses and sports arenas to smaller residential tasks like living rooms and two-car garages. Over the last few years, the market for polished concrete floors has risen dramatically. This popularity is due in large part to the amazing multi-functionality of today's concrete grinders. Current interior design trends and production facility requirements have also helped increase the demand for these systems.

Today's grinders are available with an enormous array of tooling options that allows them to complete a multitude of projects including coating removal, surface preparation, glue and adhesive removal as well as polishing.

The overall design of floor grinders has not changed drastically, but there have been some incredible technological advancements recently. A planetary grinder typically consists of three or four "satellite heads" 10 or 11 in. in diameter mounted on a large "planetary head" 30 to 32 in. in diameter. In the planetary head, diamonds are set in either metal or resin matrixes in different densities. The planetary head spins one way and the satellite heads with their diamond bits rotate in the opposite direction. This causes the diamond bits to travel in random patterns within the diameter of the planetary head. Coarse grinding steps are completed with metal matrix diamond pads while the finer processing steps are accomplished with resin matrix pads.

Until recently, polished and processed concrete floors have been used mainly in industrial facilities, manufacturing plants and warehouses, but they are now becoming increasingly popular in residential and retail settings. Formerly, polished concrete coloring was limited to grey, but today it is frequently seen in a wide range of colors and designs. By using integral color and surface colorants including dyes and staining, designers now have many options to choose from.

Industry growth
Planetary head grinders deliver the best surface finish compared to alternative grinding machines. This is because the movement of the grinding discs over the floor is less dependent on operator skill compared to non-planetary machines.