Grinding Techniques offers surface grinding expertise

Jun 14, 2023

Surface grinding is an abrasive grinding process that makes use of various grinding media to grind either metallic or non-metallic workpieces to achieve a perfectly flat or parallel surface with a specific surface finish. Types of grinding media used for this application, include grinding wheels, cup stones, and segments.

With different types of surface grinders available in the market, ranging from horizontal-spindle to vertical-spindle with reciprocating and/or rotary table machines, to face grinding machines, it is essential to note that the type of grinding media should carefully be considered in order to provide the best result for each application.

Straight grinding wheels are typically used with horizontal-spindle reciprocating and or rotary table grinding machines where cup or cylinder grinding wheels and segments are more suited to vertical-spindle reciprocating and or rotary table grinding machines. When it comes to using face grinding machines, cylinder grinding wheels and segments are the grinding media of choice.

Some of the machines are specifically designed for grinding intricate small workpieces, and others are for heavy machining of large workpieces such as forgings, castings or long flat parts such as guillotine blades.

Most surface grinding machines make use of magnetic chucks to ensure that the workpiece is kept in place while the surface is ground to high precision. Every time a workpiece is ground and removed from the magnetic chuck or table it needs to be cleaned properly to ensure that no debris is left behind to obscure the new workpiece lying flat on the surface grinder's table. Grinding Technique offers its Andor combination oil stone as the tool for this application to ensure a perfectly smooth surface without any burrs, they say.

When choosing your grinding media, certain factors need to be considered. Apart from the type of surface grinder, its power, speed and condition, the workpiece's properties also contribute to making the right choice e.g. the material and hardness of the workpiece, the overall dimensions, the amount of stock removal required, and the desired finish are all important elements that play a fundamental role.

Another crucial factor, frequently overlooked is the grinding fluid and its concentration as it is required to cool the workpiece during the grinding application, making sure the debris is washed away and the wheel is kept clean and open whilst in operation. Coolant that is not used with the correct percentage mixture or pH level can have severe consequences on the performance of the grinding wheel, either causing the wheel to clog up or not rendering the desired surface finish. Once all the above factors have been considered, a grinding media can be specified.

Grain types are specifically designed for applications on various substrates ranging from mild steel, to abrasive resistant and extremely hard to ground materials. The correct combination of grain type, grain size, hardness, structure, and bond type will ensure that the workpiece is ground to the desired tolerance and finished in the shortest amount of time, saving on operational costs. Grinding media is manufactured from various abrasive grains, including white aluminium oxide, which is the most pure and friable grain perfectly suited to hard metals where a cool grind is required with minimal burn.

Ceramic grain is known for high stock removal rates on hardened materials and will produce an even cooler grind than aluminium oxide. Producing class leading Andor surface grinding media, needs class leading bonding systems. These bonding systems, whether vitrified or resin, are extremely important as it is the glue that keeps everything in place.

Even the best grinding wheel with the best possible grain on the market, needs a high-quality bonding system. Our proven Andor bonding systems coupled with ceramic grain works optimally to ensure the grain is kept in place long enough and is released by the bonding system just in time before it becomes too blunt, thereby producing the next sharp grain to continue with the grinding application. Not only does this ensure high stock removal rates, but it also ensures increased longevity throughout our Andor range.

Our Andor premium surface grinding range is suited to all these applications and more. We are able to produce surface grinding wheels in sizes ranging from 150mm up to 750mm in outside diameter. All our grinding wheels are manufactured to OSA, ISO 9001, and EN quality standards, which ensure both safe and quality products.

Our Andor grinding media is finished with the latest finishing methods, specifically designed to machine grinding wheels to the desired dimensions and international tolerances. As a specialised abrasive manufacturer, we are able to assist with a custom precision grinding solution to any application.

For further information contact Grinding Techniques on TEL: 011 271 6400 or email [email protected] or visit www.grindtech.com