Custom steel parts for machines are essential in high-performance applications. The operation, however, requires a complex process. Grinding bars to shape and remove unnecessary details requires boring holes through the center of the bar to hold it accurately for precision grinding.
The challenge here is keeping the proper position and control of the bar (workpiece) in the grinding machine. However the process of centerless grinding makes it possible to grind parts to custom sizes and shapes. All you need is proper tooling control and support.
Centerless grinding, without a doubt, is often misunderstood. What separates it from other machining strategies is that it requires no boring of hole. It does not need to go through the bar to keep it in a closed and secure position. Centerless grinding is also an OD grinding process. However, central support is not required to keep the workpiece intact in its place.
Centerless grinding has a three-point positioning method that makes grinding parts to custom sizes and shapes possible. For custom steel pieces, centerless grinding is perfect for keeping the workpiece intact during the abrasive metal removal. This will give the final product its required surface finish.
Controls in Grinding Custom Steel Parts
Properly positioning tools and fixtures is critical to the bar’s surface finish and diameter tolerance. Thus, there is a real need to pay special attention to gap, dressing, and position control for the grinding wheel. The grinding operation allows control over the following:
Grinding wheel size and abrasive grains
- There is a need to vary the size of the grinding wheels to control the cutting forces and the surface finish. The continuous abrasive metal removal causes porosity in operation, which is why the coolant solution is important to apply throughout the process.
The gap between grinding wheels
- Consistency in the gap between wheels is crucial to the bar’s final shape and cut. If it is not held in consistent control, this can result in distorted or deformed parts. Ensuring proper gap control helps to switch the wheel speed from approach speed to the feed rate to optimize cycle time.
Related article: Centerless Grinding and Its Wheels
Dressing of abrasive grains
- The continuous grinding process can dull the wheels, which means constant dressing is essential to achieve a consistent surface polish and successful cut. Diamond abrasive grains are essential in the forming of highly accurate wheel shapes to meet tight tolerances and to produce complex part geometries.
Contact us for high quality Materials for Custom Steel Parts
For metal or steel pieces, whether small or large, centerless grinding makes it possible for metalworkers to achieve the desired, exact cut in custom steel sizes that meet the required tolerance and roundness. Major industries like the automotive, aircraft, military, and manufacturing industries require and use centerless grinding in making customized steel pieces for various high-performance applications.
Do you need centerless grinding for your custom parts? Call us now to get a Free Quote.
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