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Together towards the best finish.
Together towards the best finish.
3M is our main supplier for abrasives. Through 3M, we also supply tapes & adhesives, Speedglas and other PPE.
At 3M, science is a driving force. Science affects everything around us - and you often don't even realise how. In the cars, trains and planes that transport us, in our homes, offices, hospitals and buildings. It's in our smartphones and our office supplies, the energy that lights up a room, and even the clothes we wear - all created and enhanced by science. For years, 3M was the most innovative company in the world.
Here at 3M we wonder about science every day, hoping to inspire others to do the same. Whether you're a teacher or student of exact science, a scientist passionate about making a brighter future for the world, or just someone interested in first glance scientific innovations that affect our daily lives. Come with us and find out.
The above paragraphs are from the website of 3M. 3M's slogan is "Science Apllied to Life", "Science applied to life", and inspired by everyday life.
Every day, all over the world, you come across 3M products or products that contain 3M material, either consciously or unconsciously.
Think of the scouring sponge in the kitchen, the reflective plates above the motorway, the post-it paper on your computer or the invisible tape on the packaging of a gift. But also plasters, scissors, mouth caps or the well-known Thinsulate technology in clothing and gloves comes from the 3M factory.
3M was founded on the northern shores of Lake Superior in the city of Illgen and settled in Two Harbors in Minnesota in 1902, where it began mining minerals for the manufacture of sandpaper. Unfortunately, the quality of the minerals mined was rather disappointing. Where the miners expected corundum, they found the mineral anorthosite. Not good enough to use as an abrasive grain.
The young founders did not allow themselves to be deterred. With a spirit of innovation, belief in their own abilities, the search for different materials and new applications and the search for cooperation with other parties, 3M grew into a company of global proportions. Today, the values mentioned still form the basis of the group and 3M has expanded with branches all over the world.
In the 1920s, 3M started exporting abrasives to Europe. Until 1957 this was done through a network of distributors. For sanding materials this was Pieterson & Co. 3M supplied the sanding materials in large rolls, so called Jumbos's. Pieterson cut these rolls and made them into sanding belts. This proved to be a great success and within two years the turnover had risen to one million guilders.
Still 3M uses so-called converters, which cut jumbo rolls of sanding material into smaller sanding belts and discs.
3M never stops developing abrasives. The latest spectacular innovation in the field of sanding and grinding is already several years old. Around 2013 the unique ceramic grain was introduced with the name CubitronII. This Precision Shaped Grain is an accurately shaped grain in the shape of a triangle. Rapid grinding, low heat input and long tool life are the spearheads of this innovation. To date, no other manufacturer has been able to surpass the performance of CubitronII. You can read more about CubitronII, its advantages, its operation and its range on the special CubitronII page.
Another top product of 3M is the Speedglas welding helmet. More than once, a Speedglas welding helmet has been voted the best in the test. Important in the use of a welding helmet is the comfort for the user. Fit, ease of use but also the view on the workpiece. The use of colour and the reaction speed of the filter.
Because welding can release toxic substances, gases and vapours, respiratory protection is an important issue at the same time. Can a fresh air system be connected to it, how does the user suffer as little as possible from hoses and weight of this system? With all the user feedback, 3M goes back to the drawing board or laboratory to improve a good product again and again. There's a lot to tell about Speedglas. That is why the special Speedglas page contains much more information about the welding caps and breathing systems. On the speedglas-page you will also find a handy tool to choose the right welding cap for your situation.
Underlining continued development and innovation, 3M launched the world's first welding helmet in 2020 with a curved welding filter for much wider visibility in and around the work area.
Scotch Brite is a technology developed by 3M and consists of a non-woven web construction. This three-dimensional web is impregnated with sanding grains to create a flexible, three-dimensional product. This open structure reduces the risk of warping or discoloration of the workpiece to be machined and also prevents the abrasive material from flooding. This results in a better finish and a longer lifetime of the sanding product. Due to the highly flexible sanding material, new sanding grains are constantly brought onto the work surface, ensuring a constant and superior finish. Reduced risk of extra work and disruptions of critical tolerances due to the springy effect of the web, costly repair work and unnecessary downtime are thus avoided.
Besides Scotch Brite handpads, tires, discs and wheels, the Scotch Brite program also has products that you might not immediately recognize as being Scotch Brite. Think of the Bristle Discs category. These are discs or wheels with plastic hairs in which the Cubitron grain is incorporated. Bristle can be used on a stationary grinder, an angle or straight grinder and on a mini angle grinder, depending on the machining and execution of the chosen bristle product.
Britsle Discs are often an excellent alternative to steel brushes.
Important advantage of Bristle Discs over steel brushes is the safety for the user and bystanders.
No more loose steel wires, safe for the hands if they unexpectedly come into contact with the rotating brush, does not affect the surrounding material so you reach a nice finish. Bristle products are particularly suitable for use on Aluminium, stainless steel or MST (Mild Steel).
What is 3M™ VHB™ Double Sided Tape?
With 3M VHB Double sided tapes you maintain consistency throughout the entire process, from sketch to construction, and eliminate visible and unsightly fasteners such as bolts and screws. With this very powerful double-sided acrylic foam tape you can quickly and easily create a durable bond. The tape adheres to a variety of materials including aluminium, steel, glass, plastic, lacquered and powder-coated surfaces: a robust fixing solution for almost anything you can think of.
A beautiful product made not to be seen. But the effect of an MA connection is definitely visible: Smooth surfaces, connection between dissimilar materials, each with its own properties, such as deformation at certain temperatures. The flexible foam layer ensures that this does not affect the strength of the joint. The foam layer also absorbs shocks and thus has a cushioning effect.
The strength and tensile strength go a long way. Take a look at this video in which different connections are compared with each other. The quality of the film leaves much to be desired, the quality of the tape speaks for itself:
Masking:
Protect surfaces from dirt, wear and tear or particles with our smart and comprehensive range of masking tapes. Choose your tape: short or long term applications, type of solvent, temperature range...
Protection:
For every situation in which a surface or material needs to be protected, we have a solution with tapes, foils or screens.
Packaging
For everything you want to pack, seal and transport safely: you will always find a solution with our extensive range of tapes and applicators - also suitable for automation.
These new 3M sanding discs combine maximum dust extraction with maximum cutting speed.
