ANSI B7.
1-2000
7 Standard speeds
7.1 Standard speeds
7.1.1 Standard maximum speeds
The maximum operating speed of each wheel
shall be established by the wheel manufac-
turer. Table 23, indicates maximum surface
feet per minute (SFPM) for various classes
of wheels. (See section 1) The use classifi-
cation in table 23 takes precedence over the
general wheel type.
The number of revolutions per minute (RPM)
may be increased as the diameter of a wheel
is reduced through wear, provided the origi-
nal surface feet per minute (SFPM) is never
exceeded. (Section 10, table 35 will be help-
ful in converting RPM to SFPM, also see
section 1.2.88, page 10.) It shall be the
user’s responsibility not to exceed these
maximum operating speeds. Spindle speed
shall be measured at free running speed of
the machine.
7.1.2 Machine supplier's responsibility
It shall be the responsibility of the machine
supplier (e.g. manufacturer, reconstructor,
modifier, installer and integrator) to design
and construct those machine components
concerned with the proper and safe opera-
tion of the grinding or cutting-off wheels for
the speed and the type of operation for which
the machine is intended. Particular attention
shall be given to the design of the wheel
safety guards, wheel flanges and wheel
mounting spindle.
7.1.3 Wheel user's responsibility
All abrasive wheels shall be used in con-
formance with instructions given in the fol-
lowing sections and shall be handled, stored
and inspected in accordance with section 2,
page 27, and section 6.1, page 87.
a. Section 1 — Definitions;
b. Section 3 — General machine conditions;
c. Section 4 — Safety guards;
d. Section 5 — Flanges;
e. Section 6 — Mounting;
98
Explanatory Information
(NOT PART OF ANSI STANDARD)
E 7.1.1 Standard maximum speeds
The maximum operating speeds established
in table 23, have proven satisfactory for the
wheels as classified. The maximum operat-
ing speed as determined by the manufac-
turer is dependent on the wheel shape and
strength. It is the responsibility of the wheel
user to make sure that under no condition is
a wheel to be operated faster than the maxi-
mum surface feet per minute established by
the wheel manufacturer.
The maximum surface feet per minute
(SFPM) can be determined by converting the
maximum revolutions per minute (RPM) for
the full size wheel to SFPM from the conver-
sion table, table 35. The maximum operating
speed is not necessarily the most efficient
grinding speed. Better results are frequently
obtained at lower than maximum operating
speeds.
E 7.1.2 Machine supplier's responsibility
The machine supplier (e.g. manufacturer,
reconstructor, modifier, installer and inte-
grator) should decide upon the fitness of the
machine for the proposed operation. If it
becomes necessary or desirable to convert,
change or alter the machine from the design
or purpose for which it was originally made,
it is important that the components involved
with the use of the abrasive wheel be de-
signed in accordance with the appropriate
sections of this standard.
E 7.1.3 Wheel user's responsibility
The repeated references to other applicable
Sections and Regulations are important. All
users of abrasive wheels should be familiar
with these sections. Their proper application
has a direct relationship to the safe use of
abrasive wheels.
 ANSI B7.1-2000
Table 23 – Standard maximum speeds in surface feet per minute
Classi- Inorganic Bonds Organic Bonds
fication Types of Wheels Low Medium High Low Medium High
Number (See Section 1 for Definitions) Speed Speed Speed Speed Speed Speed
Type 1 Straight Wheels — except classifications 6, 9, OPERATING SPEED SHALL NOT EXCEED (SFPM):
11, 12, 13 and 14 below
1
Types 5 and 7 Recessed Wheels 5,500 6,500 8,500 6,500 8,000 9,500
Type 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Type 4* Taper Side Wheels
Dovetailed*
Type 12 Dish Wheels 5,500 6,000 6,500 6,500 8,000 9,500
2
Type 13 Saucer Wheels
Types 16, 17, 18 19 Cones & Plugs
Type 2 Cylinder Wheel 5,000 5,500 6,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
Cup Shape Tool Grinding Wheels
3 Type 6 Straight Side Cups 4,500 5,000 6,000 6,000 7,500 8,500
Type 11 Flaring Cups
Cup Shape Snagging Wheels
(For Portable Machines)
4 4,500 5,500 6,500 6,000 8,000 9,500
Type 6 Straight Sided Cup
Type 11 Flaring/Taper Cup
Abrasive Discs: Plate Mounted
5 Inserted Nut and Projecting Stud: Solid or Segmental 5,500 6,000 6,500 5,500 7,000 8,500
Type 2, Inserted Nut, Snagging type Cylinder Wheels
Reinforced Wheels Type 1:
Max Dia 4", Max Thickness 3/16" X X X X X 20,000
Max Dia 4", Max Thickness 1/4" X X X 9,500 12,500 16,000
Max Dia 10", Max Thickness 1/2" X X X 9,500 12,500 14,200
All Other Diameters & Thicknesses X X X 9,500 12,500 14,200
6
Reinforced Wheels – Types 27, 28 & 29
Max Dia 9"
Max Thickness 1/4" X X X 9,500 12,500 16,000
Max Thickness 3/8" X X X 9,500 12,500 14,200
Max Dia 9" – Over 3/8" Thick X X X 9,500 9,500 11,000
Type 1 Wheels for Bench and Pedestal Grinders and
Types 1, 5 and 7 for Surface Grinders in the
following sizes only
7
7" dia. up to 2" thick and up to 2" hole 5,500 6,325 6,600 6,500 8,000 9,500
8" dia. up to 2" thick and up to 2" hole 5,500 6,325 7,550 6,500 8,000 9,500
14" dia. up to 3" thick and up to 5" hole 5,500 6,000 6,600 6,500 8,000 9,500
8 Diamond and Cubic Boron Nitride — see table 24, page 100
Cutting-Off Wheels
Type 1 Reinforced Organic
9
Max Dia 4", Max Thickness 1/8" X X X 14,200 16,000 20,000
Max Dia 16", incl. Type 27A, Reinforced Organic X X X 9,500 12,000 16,000
Cutting-Off Wheels, Type 1 and 27A,
10 X X X 9,500 12,000 14,200
Larger than 16", including Reinforced Organic
11 Thread and Flute Grinding Wheels 8,000 10,000 12,000 10,000 12,000 16,000
12 Crankshaft and Camshaft Grinding Wheels 5,500 8,000 8,500 6,500 8,000 9,500
Type 1 Snagging Wheels 16" diameter and
larger, Organic bond including reinforced:
Used on swing frame grinders,
13
designed for this speed X X X X X 12,500
Used on semi-automatic snagging
grinders, designed for this speed X X X X X 16,500
Internal Wheels – Type 1 and 5
14
Maximum diameter 6" 5,500 8,000 8,500 6,500 8,500 9,500
15 Mounted Wheels (See section 10 for limitations) X X 10,000 X X 10,000
*Non-standard Shape.
Note: For converting surface feet per minute (SFPM) to revolutions per minute (RPM) see conversion table 35.
See section 3, page 31—General Machine Conditions; section 4, page 50 — Safety Guards; section 5, page 72 — Flanges.
Table 23 explanatory
Abrasive wheels are produced in a wide range of specifications to perform satisfactorily in a wide range of
grinding applications. As a general rule, hard material requires a soft grade wheel and soft material is best ground
by a hard grade wheel. Different wheel grades have different strengths; harder grade wheels are generally stronger
than softer grade wheels, although other ingredients such as grit size, structure and bond type play a part in the
overall strength of an abrasive wheel specification.
Therefore, the maximum allowable operating speeds vary depending on the strength of the wheel. It is for this
reason that speeds shown in table 23 are listed in columns labeled Low, Medium and High Speed.

99
ANSI B7.1-2000
Table 24 – Standard maximum speeds in surface feet per minute.
Diamond and cubic boron nitride.
Bond Type (Rim Material)
Single Layered
Wheel Body (Core) Resin Vitrified Metal
Plated/Brazed
1. Metal (Includes PM) 16,000 16,000 16,000 *
2. Resin 9,500 9,500 9,500 *
3. Vitrified * * * *
4. Solid Steel (Not PM) 16,000 16,000 16,000 25,000
PM = Powdered Metallurgy
All speeds are listed in surface feet per minute (SFPM)
(*) Non-standard product, no data available, must be speed tested.

f. Section 7 — Speeds;
g. Section 9 — General operating rules.
Abrasive wheels used at speeds higher than
those shown in table 23, page 99, shall be
subject to the additional requirements out-
lined in section 8, page 105, Special speeds.
7.1.4 Wheel manufacturer's responsibility
7.1.4.1 Speed testing of wheels
7.1.4.1A Vitrified bonded wheels
E 7.1.4.1 Speed testing of wheels
It shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon-
sibility to speed test each and every vitrified The test speed subjects an abrasive wheel
bonded wheel to be operated at standard to significantly greater forces than does the
speeds as listed in table 23, page 99, in safe maximum operating speed. This test
accordance with table 25, page 101. establishes an adequate factor of safety pro-
vided the wheels are used in accordance
Exceptions: Wheels that need not be speed with safe practices outlined in this Standard
tested are: and have not been altered, damaged or
a. wheels less than 6" diameter; abused after speed testing.
b. ball grinding wheels; The speed test does not justify operation of
c. segments; the wheel at higher than the maximum oper-
ating speed established by the wheel manu-
d. segmental disc wheels and disc wheels
facturer. The maximum speed must never be
which are not plate mounted;
exceeded because the safety factor estab-
e. mounted wheels; lished by the speed test covers other normal
f. other wheels for operation at 2,500 SFPM grinding stresses.
or less.
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
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

100
 ANSI B7.1-2000
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.
7.1.4.1B Organic bonded wheels
If shall be the wheel manufacturer's respon-
sibility to speed test each and every wheel to
be operated within the standard speeds as
listed in table 23, page 99, in accordance
with table 25.
Exceptions: Wheels that need not be speed
tested are:
a. wheels less than 6" diameter;
b. ball grinding wheels;
c. segments;
d. segmental disc wheels and disc wheels
which are not plate mounted;
e. regulating wheels (for centerless type
grinders);
f. mounted wheels;
g. other wheels for operation at 2,500 SFPM
or less.
7.1.4.1C Superabrasive wheels
It shall be the wheel manufacturers respon-
sibility to speed test each and every wheel
designed to be operated at standard speeds
as listed in table 24, at a speed in accor-
dance with table 25.

Table 25 – Wheel manufacturers testing speeds

Operating Speed
Class of Wheel Minimum Test Factor*
Surface Feet Per Minute

Cutting-off Wheels All Speeds 1.20

All Bonds and Wheel Types

Up to and including 5,000 1.25
(Except Cutting-off Wheels)

All Bonds and Wheel Types

Faster than 5,000 1.50
(Except Cutting-off Wheels)

Alternate Test for Vitrified Bonded Refer to ANSI B74.21 Fatigue

Faster than 5,000
Type 1 Wheels Only Proof Test Procedure**

Superabrasive Wheel Segment

All Speeds 1.50
Cemented to Dissimilar Bodies

*Actual operating speed shall be multiplied by this test factor to establish the minimum speed at which
wheels shall be tested by the wheel manufacturer, except for those wheels rated at less than 5,000 SFPM,
the operating speed equivalent to 5,000 SFPM shall be used.
**Use the ratio calculated by this procedure, but not less than 1.2.

101
ANSI B7.1-2000
Exceptions: Wheels that need not be speed
tested are:
a. wheels less than 4" diameter;
b. segments;
c. segmental disc wheels and disc wheels
which are not plate mounted;
d. mounted wheels;
e. steel centered 1A1RSS metal bond seg-
mented saws (i.e., stone and concrete saws);
f. steel centered single abrasive layer metal
bond products (i.e., brazed or plated);
g. monolithic (diamond or CBN to the hole)
metal and resin bonded wheels in diameters
to 7";
h. wheels for operation at 2,500 surface
feet per minute or less;
i. vitrified, resin and metal bonded wheels
with steel or aluminum cores in all diam-
eters.
7.1.4.2 Speed marking E 7.1.4.2 Speed marking
An abrasive wheel or its package shall show In the case of mounted wheels, because of
the maximum operating speed as revolu- the overhang factor (see figure 47, page 118)
tions per minute (RPM). which is established by the user at the time
of mounting, it is impossible for the wheel
Exception:
manufacturer to indicate maximum operating
Mounted wheels (see definition, paragraph speed. Therefore the user must determine
1.4.19, page 25) and their package need not from the speed tables in Section 10 the
show maximum operating speed. maximum operating speed (RPM) for any
mounted wheel as used.
7.1.4.3 Blade tensioning E 7.1.4.3 Blade tensioning
Steel-centered diamond cutting-off wheels Blade tensioning uses various means to neu-
must be tensioned for the speed they are tralize the residual stresses so that the wheel
intended to be operated at, tested at that will run true at the speed at which it is
speed, and marked as such. intended to be operated. The wheel is
tensioned and tested at this speed by the
Exception:
manufacturer. This is less than the maximum
Cutting-off wheels 18" or less in diameter speed allowed (16,000 SFPM) as these lower
which are marked to be operated at RPM's speeds (8,000 to 12,000 SFPM) have been
equal to or less than 12,000 SFPM. Cutting- found to provide optimum diamond cutting
off wheels operated at higher speeds (such action and most economical operation. The
as high-speed dry diamond cutting-off operating speed is stamped, etched or
wheels) must be tensioned and tested at marked onto the core.
their appropriate speeds.
7.1.4.4 Segment attachment testing E 7.1.4.4 Segment attachment testing
Each diamond segment welded, brazed or This test determines the adequacy of the
soldered to a steel centered cutting-off wheel weld, braze or solder joint to help ensure
shall undergo a test to determine that the that the diamond segment does not come
segment is adequately affixed to the steel loose from the steel center during proper
center. utilization of the wheel. The test can be a
bending load applied by a torque device,

102

7.2 Speed check of machines — User's
responsibility
The user shall establish a program to ensure
that grinding machines do not subject abra-
sive wheels to speeds greater than the maxi-
mum operating speeds marked on the wheel
or package. In the case of variable speed
machines the number of revolutions per
minute (RPM) may be increased as the di-
ameter of a wheel is reduced through wear,
provided the original surface feet per minute
(SFPM) is never exceeded. (The speed table
in section 10, table 35, will be helpful in
converting RPM to SFPM, also see section
1.2.88, page 10.) It shall be the user's re-
sponsibility not to exceed these maximum
operating speeds. Spindle speed shall be
measured at free running speed of the ma-
chine.
ANSI B7.1-2000
impact device or other method; or it can be
a tension load device. The actual load or test
applied is determined by the manufacturer
depending on segment attachment method
and wheel design.
E 7.2 Speed check of machines — User’s
responsibility
It is of special importance that portable air
grinders should be checked to be sure that
proper air pressure is maintained and that
the machine governor mechanism is clean,
in good operating condition, and functioning
properly. This reference to air grinders is not
intended to overlook the necessity for a regu-
lar check of the speed of the wheel spindles
on all types of grinding machines. The user
should assign this responsibility to compe-
tent personnel using equipment properly
designed for speed check purposes such as
a tachometer or stroboscope. The user
should also keep a permanent record of such
speed checks.
A tachometer is suitable for use on the ma-
jority of machines to check the spindle speed
(RPM). From a safety standpoint this ta-
chometer check should be made without the
grinding wheel, loose flange, or nut mounted
on the spindle.

Illustration 79 – Recommended frequency of speed measurement for various machine types.

Measure Speeds at Time of Installation of All Machines.
PORTABLE GRINDERS
1. Air Driven
2. Electric Driven (Hi-Cycle)
ALL OTHER GRINDERS
1. Direct Drive (Single Speed)
2. Belt Driven (Single Speed)
3. Variable Speed Machines
Measure the speed of governor controlled grinders every 20 hours of actual use or
once per week, whichever comes first.
Measure speed of all types of grinders after maintenance or repair, whenever a
grinder is issued from the tool crib and at each wheel change. Several readings
should be taken.
Measure monthly and after any maintenance or repair that could affect the speed
of the machine.
Measure after any maintenance or repair that could affect the speed of the
machine.
Measure monthly and after any maintenance or repair that could affect the speed
of the machine.
Measure once per week and after any maintenance or repair that could affect the
speed of the machine. On variable speed machines, other than semi-automatic
snagging grinders, measure speed whenever a wheel change is made.

103
ANSI B7.1-2000
7.3 Speed adjustment control — User's
responsibility
If the speed of the machine wheel spindle is
adjustable to compensate for wheel wear,
the speed adjustment shall be under the
supervision and control of competent and
authorized persons only. The speed control
setting shall be checked for proper speed
whenever a wheel change is made and after
maintenance or repair that could affect the
speed of the machine.
104
A stroboscope is also recommended to check
the speed (RPM), especially on those ma-
chines where it is impossible or impractical
to use a tachometer. See illustration 79 for
recommended frequency of speed measure-
ment of various machine types.
E 7.3 Speed adjustment control — User’s
responsibility
Certain machines are designed with adjust-
able speeds to permit maintenance of effi-
cient surface speeds by increasing the
spindle speed (RPM) to compensate for
wheel wear. Never exceed the maximum
surface feet per minute (SFPM) established
by the wheel manufacturer. This can be in-
terpolated from the RPM marked for the full
size wheel (see conversion table 35 for con-
verting RPM to SFPM). Special care must be
exercised under proper supervision to be
certain that the foregoing procedure is fol-
lowed.