Surface Grinding: More Than Just Spinning

August 9, 2022

In the metalworking shop, surface grinding is a vital process that plays a function. When it comes to the finishing of a product, a surface grinder is a necessary instrument. This is true whether your goal is to maintain tight tolerances or to improve your appearance.

Grinding is done on flat surfaces to provide a smooth finish using a process called surface grinding. It is a frequently used abrasive machining method in which a spinning wheel coated in rough particles (known as a grinding wheel) removes chips of a metallic or non-metallic substance off a workpiece to make a face of it flat or smooth. The process is called grinding.

The Value of Automation in Surface Grinding

Grinding a component involves removing a very little amount of material with each successive pass to produce a surface that is more uniform and smoother. This process is also commonly referred to as dusting the item. After ensuring that the Z height is accurate, the table is then moved in a series of distinct patterns along the X and Y axes until the entire component has been dusted. Manually spinning handles is one way to complete this process’ back-and-forth steps, although doing so is typically a time-consuming and laborious endeavour due to the nature of the task.

When discussing a surface grinder, it is essential to keep in mind the significance of automation as an issue to consider. Although grinding is not a very difficult procedure, it takes just one cycle before one realises that they can simply hit “go” and leave.

Advantages of the Surface Grinding Equipment

Using a surface grinder, you may achieve a precise surface finish or a crucial dimension using a machine tool. Surface grinder accuracy ranges from 0.002 mm (0.0001 in) to 0.004 mm (0.0001 in) depending on the model and application.

The transverse and cross-face movement of a table characterises this device. Any combination of manual, electrical or hydraulic may be employed to power the machine’s longitudinal and cross feeds, depending on its intended function like the production, workshop, and cost. There are a variety of ways for adjusting the grinding wheel’s height, but all revolve around it rotating. In modern surface grinders, the number of passes and depth of cut and spark-out may be programmed, and the machining process takes relatively little interaction from the operator once it is set up.

In most cases, a magnetic chuck is used to hold the workpiece, however, this might vary depending on the type of material being machined. Electromagnetic chucks are illustrated in the first image; they can be manually driven, permanent magnet type chucks as well. Coolant can be applied and metal dust can be removed from the machine (metal and grinding particles).

Conclusion

Even while cutting tools help achieve a high-quality finish on a part, the surface can still be ground down using a grinder to get a smoother texture. Depending on the kind of item you’re making, you might need to utilise a grinder to not only have mirror finishes on the parts you’re making but also to get the edges of those parts to be exceedingly exact and/or parallel.

Grinding metal may be a time-consuming and laborious procedure; however, automating the process can help you achieve more precise components in a shorter amount of time.

Gunna Engineering manufactures punches, dies, and blades. We also do general engineering services, and all our manufactured components are made to the highest quality on state-of-the-art CNC Machinery. Contact us today!

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