JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS Launches "SAKURA Air", an Enhanced Vitrified CBN Wheel for Cylindrical Grinding

JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS CORPORATION (Headquarters: Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, President: Michihiro Maruta, hereinafter referred to as "JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS"), a group company of JTEKT CORPORATION (Headquarters: Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, President: Yoshihito Kondo, hereinafter referred to as "JTEKT"), has developed "SAKURA Air," a vitrified CBN wheel for cylindrical grinding and will begin its sales in October 2026.

SAKURA Air inherits the long wheel life and low power consumption of the current model "SAKURA" while improving form accuracy and further contributing to carbon neutrality.
This product will be exhibited at the 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF2026), to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 26 to 31, 2026.

Based on our Mission: "Joint Technology to bring joy to the planet earth and all working people," JTEKT has proposed JTEKT Group 2030 Vision: "A solution provider creating the future of mobility society through Monozukuri and Monozukuri equipment" as its target to be achieved by 2030. To achieve the transformation into a solution provider, JTEKT is committed to advancing its manufacturing equipment as well as its ability to deliver customer-focused solutions.

Development Background

In recent years, precision manufacturing industries, including automotive and bearing component manufacturing, have faced increasing demands for higher productivity and lower tooling costs, as well as greater machining accuracy to meet growing performance requirements of components. At the same time, manufacturers are seeking more energy-efficient grinding processes to support carbon neutrality initiatives.

The current model of vitrified CBN wheel SAKURA has long contributed to improving grinding efficiency and extending wheel life. Building on these strengths, SAKURA Air delivers even higher form accuracy and lower power consumption while maintaining high productivity and long wheel life.

Vitrified CBN wheels are grinding wheels that use cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive grains, the second-hardest material after diamond, bonded with a vitrified (glass-based) bonding agent. Offering excellent heat resistance, they are well suited for grinding ferrous alloys and for other grinding conditions where high temperatures are generated. 

Key Features and Benefits

Stable Production and Enhanced Form Accuracy

SAKURA Air incorporates a newly developed AirFlow Structure, an evolution of the multi-pore design used in SAKURA.　By enlarging pore volume while maintaining wheel strength, the structure allows an optimal amount of coolant to reach the grinding zone. This helps reduce workpiece deflection during grinding and improves form accuracy, including roundness. In addition, the high-strength bond minimizes abrasive grain drop, allowing stable machining accuracy to be maintained over extended production runs. As a result, SAKURA Air contributes to the reliable production of high-precision components and helps reduce defect rates.

Extended Wheel Life

A high-strength bond improves grain retention and reduces wheel wear, resulting in extended wheel life and truing intervals (the intervals between wheel form corrections), which ultimately reduces tooling costs.

Lower Energy Consumption

The multi-pore structure suppresses friction and heat generation during grinding. Compared to SAKURA, SAKURA Air further reduces grinding forces and machine power consumption, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Future Outlook

With the introduction of SAKURA Air, JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS expands its grinding solutions to meet the growing demand for high-precision and energy-efficient manufacturing, not only in the automotive and bearing industries, but also across a broader range of sectors requiring high-precision grinding.

JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS will continue to expand the SAKURA Air product lineup as a solution for high-efficiency grinding processes and reduced environmental impact, thereby supporting customers in improving productivity and advancing their carbon neutral initiatives.

SDGs Supported by the Product

■9.4  
By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

■12.2　
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

■12.5　
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

■13.2　
Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Reference

Vitrified CBN Wheel | Tool Type | JTEKT GRINDING TOOLS CORPORATION