Tech Talk
How does an operator influence how hard or soft a wheel acts?
The increasing demands in terms of production output, shorter cycle times, dimensional requirements and other quality issues can be met by the modern grinding machines and grinding wheels available to us. However, the available equipment can only be used at its full potential if we understand the fundamentals of the grinding process.
Changing the workpiece feed rate vw. Through increasing the feed rate: increased material removal rate, bigger chips, higher load on individual grain, increased friability means the grinding wheel acts softer. By decreasing the feed rate: reduced material removal, smaller chips, lower load on individual grain, decreased friability results in a grinding wheel that acts harder.
Changing the wheel cutting speed vc. Increasing the cutting speed: per unit of time more cutting edges engaged, smaller chips, lower load on individual grain, decreased friability means the grinding wheel acts harder. Decreasing the cutting speed: per unit of time few cutting edges engaged, bigger chips, higher load on individual grain, increased friability has a grinding wheel that acts softer.
Changing the wheel diameter ds. Increasing the wheel diamater: increased contact area between the wheel and workpiece, grinding forces remain practically constant, lower load on individual grain, decreased friability of grain results in a grinding wheel that acts harder. Decreasing the wheel diamater: decreased contact area between wheel and workpiece, grinding forces remain practically constant, higher load on individual grain, increased friability of grain results in a grinding wheel that acts softer.
Changing lubricity of grinding fluid. Increasing the lubricity (reduced friction, lower load on individual grain, decreased friability of grain) means the grinding wheel acts harder. By decreasing the lubricity (increased friction, higher load on individual grain, increased friability of grain) the grinding wheel acts softer.
