Blackwoods Knows

3M Cubitron™ 3 Abrasives Delivering Less Noise and Vibration

Written by 3M | Sep 17, '25

The Australian industrial workforce relies heavily on metal fabrication. Still, the act of cutting, grinding, and finishing steel and aluminium presents major safety issues. The work is loud, intense, and draining. Prolonged exposure to vibration and excessive noise can lead to:

  • Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Hearing loss
  • Skin cuts and burns

 

Abrasives discs typically spin at thousands of revolutions per minute. This creates razor sharp edges, also emitting sparks, particulates and searing heat.

 

Welcome to cutting-edge Cubitron 3

The new range of 3M Cubitron™ 3 abrasives gives metal fabricators a safer, more productive way to work. The latest precision-shaped grain - with uniquely curved sides - slices through metal faster and more easily.

 

This breakthrough mineral technology creates points with much sharper teeth. The cutting process is quicker, smoother and cooler, with less resistance and friction. Cubitron™ 3 abrasives also have a longer service life, so fewer abrasive changeovers are required. Taken together, this represents a major boost to worker safety.

 

Tried, tested, true

According to 3M, the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany independently tested 3M Cubitron™ 3 fibre discs against ten quality, globally representative conventional depressed centre grinding wheels. According to 3M, results show these discs:

  • Reduce vibration up to 88%.
  • Reduce noise energy up to 70%.

 

If a fibre disc can’t be used, 3M asserts that testing against conventional high-quality alternatives shows that Cubitron™ 3 grinding wheels:

  • Minimise vibration up to 33%.
  • Reduce noise energy up to 43%.

 

A recent introduction to the 3M range, Cubitron™ 3 fibre discs have taken a big leap in efficacy. According to 3M, the new discs help to increase sustained cut rate and total material removed by up to 60% more than its predecessor, Cubitron™ 2.

 

What does this mean for worker protection?

Direct impacts on user safety look like this.

  • Reduced vibration: Cuts the risk of long-term nerve damage to hands and arms.
  • Less noise: Reduces potential ear damage, protecting user hearing and workplace noise pollution.
  • Cooler cutting process: Minimises risk of heat damage to eyes and skin.
  • Fewer changeovers: Less chance of cuts on sharp edges, burns on hot surfaces.

 

Increased cutting efficiency means workers spend less time on each process, reducing their exposure to potential hazards. Completing grinding tasks faster doesn’t just hike productivity, it also reduces the physical strain on operators, so they accomplish more with less effort.

 

Who can benefit?
  • Manufacturing workers, for heavy weld removal, bevelling and levelling.
  • Mining workers, for maintenance of wear plates and buckets.
  • Welders/metal fabricators, when grinding back and prepping for next process.

 

Nathan Bamford, 3M Application Engineer says Cubitron™ 3 raises the bar, representing the company’s biggest breakthrough in the abrasives space to date. "Cubitron™ 3 sets the new industry standard when it comes to productivity and operator safety,” he says. “3M’s latest technology platform has been proven to significantly reduce workplace hazards, particularly in terms of hand-arm vibration, noise exposure, and potentially harmful airborne particles. Help protect your workers and improve site safety and productivity with 3M Abrasives."

 

As Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, Blackwoods has all your job requirements covered. Shop the Cubitron 3 range on site.

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