We live in a world where almost any product question can be answered in seconds.
Need an abrasive for stainless steel? Google it.
Need to know what grit to use? Search it.
Today, Google and AI can provide product information, specifications, comparisons, videos, and potential solutions almost instantly.
That’s incredibly useful.
But there’s one thing a search engine can’t do: put on safety glasses and walk onto your plant floor.
Your Application Isn’t Happening Online
Google knows a lot about abrasives.
But it doesn’t know exactly what’s happening at your workstation.
What material are you working with? What tool are you using? How much pressure is the operator applying? What’s the required finish? How long does the current abrasive last? What happens immediately before and after that operation?
Those details can change the answer.
“This Disc Doesn’t Last” Isn’t the Problem
It’s the beginning of the investigation.
Maybe the abrasive is wrong. Maybe the grit is wrong. Maybe there’s too much pressure. Maybe another product could cut faster. Maybe the process could eliminate an entire finishing step.
A search engine can suggest 100 replacement products.
Experience helps determine which questions to ask next.
Price vs. Cost
Online product comparisons also make it easy to compare prices.
One abrasive costs $2.00. Another costs $2.75.
Easy decision, right?
Not necessarily.
What if the $2.75 abrasive lasts twice as long? What if it cuts faster? What if it reduces changeovers?
That’s why price per abrasive and cost per finished part aren’t always the same thing.
Technology + People
At E.H. & Associates, LLC, we’re not against technology. We use it too.
But we believe technology works best when combined with experience.
Manufacturer knowledge + E.H. experience + Distributor relationships + End-user knowledge
That’s a powerful combination.
Google can help you find a product.
We want to help determine whether it’s the right product.
So research the application. Compare products. Use Google. Use AI.
Then, when the application matters, ask someone to come look at it.