Established in 1978, Nifec began electroplating diamond I.D. blades (inside diameter) for the semiconductor industry. Since then, we began manufacturing diamond edge grind wheels and notch burrs for various industries. Our name is derived from the raw materials used in our manufacturing.
Ni = Nickel, Fe = Iron, C = Carbon
Our experience goes back to the 1960s, when the largest I.D. blade had an outside diameter of 8 1/8″ to cut an ingot of about 1″ in diameter. Today, the semiconductor industry has grown tremendously and the blade diameters are up to 34″ and 46″ to cut 8″ and 12″ diameter ingots respectively. We have continuously supplied the semiconductor and other industries with the highest quality blades over those years and continue to do so today. Our research and development team is always active in developing the cutting edge geometry that best suits to cut a specific material.
Sizing the diameter and shaping the edges of the semiconductor wafers were done by using metal bonded edge grind wheels in the 60s. As the quality and longevity of the metal bonded grinding wheels became more important, electroplated grinding wheels proved to be advantageous. Today, most grinding wheels used to grind and semi-polish the edges of semiconductor wafers are electroplated. Our notch burrs, which are also electroplated, have proven to last longer than our competition as well.
Our diamond edge grinding wheels are custom manufactured to satisfy the specific needs of its customers. Diamond mesh sizes of 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, and 1800 are being used in manufacturing these wheels. The larger mesh size diamond particles offer faster grinding rates and longer wheel life. The smaller grit sizes offer slower grinding rates and a smoother edge finish.
Nifec was the first company to manufacture dual mesh electroplated grinding wheels. Nifec was also the first company to offer electroplated grinding wheels made with aluminum core, as well as stainless steel. Customers specify a number of grooves to be plated with a coarser mesh size for faster removal of material, and a number of grooves to be plated with a finer mesh size for a smoother edge finish. Nifec manufactures all sizes of grind wheels used in the industry.