Cylindrical Grinding Machine: Types, Process & Working ...

08 Jul.,2024

 

Cylindrical Grinding Machine: Types, Process & Working ...

Cylindrical Grinding Machine: Types, Process & Working Principle :- Cylindrical grinders are employed to slice or cut very precise and subtle finishes on materials such as aluminum, carbide, steel or other metals. They are especially used to work on cylindrical surfaces, rods or other cylindrical work pieces. The cylinder lays in the middle of tow centers and turns in one direction whereas the grinding wheel approaches in the opposite direction.

For more information, please visit difference between cylindrical and surface grinding.

The working of a cylinder grinder is very much similar to lathe. The only difference is that the lathe uses stationary cutting equipment whereas the grinder uses a grinding wheel. The cylinder grinders grind the materials having a central axis of rotation, for example crankshafts.

In addition to turning the work piece swiftly opposite to the grinding wheel, both the wheel and the table on which the work piece lays experience diverse movements. The grinding wheel moves up and down or side to side and the table moves backward and forward. Cylindrical grinding gives high precision and provides a superb final finish.

Types of Cylindrical Grinding Machine

  1. Inside Diameter Machine
    The inside diameter machine employs a collet for grinding the interior of the substance. This cylindrical grinding machine applies a wheel that is smaller than the width of the substance.
  2. Outside Diameter Machine
    The outside diameter machine employs centers for grinding the external surface of the substance. The centers turn the object when the object progresses through the grinding wheel.
  3. Plunge Grinding Machine
    The plunge grinding machine is a type of outside diameter machine. In the plunge grinding machine the grinding wheel moves radially towards the substance.
  4. Creep Feed Grinding Machine
    The creep feed grinding machine eliminates a full chunk of the substance through the grinding wheel all at once. This machine greatly reduces the manufacturing time.
  5. Centerless Grinding Machine
    The centerless grinding machines do not use centers or a collet to grip an object. These machines employ a regulating wheel placed opposite to the grinding wheel.

Types of Cylindrical Grinding Process

There are basically two types of cylindrical grinding Process-

  1. External Cylindrical Grinding
    External cylindrical grinding is very common grinding processes. This grinding is mainly employed for grinding rotationally symmetrical work pieces. There are different methods of external cylindrical grinding depending upon the type of work piece clamping and feed directions:

Read more: Cylindrical Grinding Machine: Types, Process & Working Principle

Centerless vs. Cylindrical Grinding

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Grinding is a machining process that utilizes an abrasive grinding wheel to remove material. Grinding parts, whether cylindrical or prismatic in shape, creates superior surface finishes and extreme accuracy in features of size.  While there are many grinding methods available, two of the most used for cylindrical parts are centerless grinding and cylindrical grinding. These processes have some similarities, but they also have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different manufacturing applications. 

The following blog post discusses the similarities and differences between centerless and cylindrical grinding to help readers understand which one will best suit their project needs.

What Is Centerless Grinding?

Centerless grinding works best at machining the outside diameter of simple, cylindrical parts.  It involves feeding a workpiece between a stationary grinding wheel rotating at high speeds and a slower regulating wheel which spins and drives the part, in the case of through-feeding.  An angled workblade secured between the grinding and regulating wheels serves as a resting place for the workpiece. 

Since the workpiece is not affixed during centerless grinding operations, centers are not required on the part, nor is a chuck needed to hold and rotate it.  Parts with uniform outside diameters can be quickly through-fed.  Using simple axial stops, shafts with journals can be plunge-ground.  Both methods produce parts with excellent roundness held to ultra-precise diameter specifications.

Some of the advantages that centerless grinding offers over other methods include: 

  • Faster processing times

  • Superior roundness 

  • Excellent grinding accuracy

What Is Cylindrical Grinding?

Cylindrical grinding uses a headstock that is comprised of a chuck, or a center with a driver, to hold and rotate the workpiece.  The part is typically supported by a tailstock with another center that, along with the headstock, move together axially, or side-to-side, on a machine table. The grinding wheel engages and cuts the part by moving radially, or in-and out, perpendicular to the workpiece. 

By securing the workpiece and being able to move it axially, cylindrical grinding is much more versatile, allowing for multiple diameters, complex shapes, and angles to be ground.  Moreover, the use of centers ensures that all diameters ground about the central axis of rotation are concentric with each other as well as with any other internal diameters that are concentric or &#;true&#; with the centers.   It is an inherently precise and stable machining process. 

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Some of the advantages that cylindrical grinding offers over other methods include:

  • Greater grinding precision

  • Assured concentricity between inside and outside diameters

  • Capability of grinding complex features

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Applications of Centerless Grinding and Cylindrical Grinding

Both centerless grinding and cylindrical grinding are effective component machining methods. However, they are suitable for different parts and products due to the differences in their equipment and workpiece setup requirements. 

Some examples of centerless-ground parts:

  • Pins

  • Bushings

  • Shafts

  • Rollers

  • Sleeves

Some examples of cylindrical-ground parts:

  • Cam shafts

  • Flanges

  • Machine arbors

  • keyway shafts and journals

  • Sun gears

Learn More About Centerless and Cylindrical Grinding From ATD Precision

Want more information on the similarities and differences between centerless grinding and cylindrical grinding? Ask the experts at ATD Precision! Having extensive experience providing centerless and cylindrical grinding services to customers with highly technical challenges, we can answer or address any questions or concerns you may have about the processes.

To learn about our precision grinding capabilities and how we can assist you with your next grinding project, check out our precision grinding capabilities or request a quote today. 

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