Grinding is machining process that’s used to remove material from a workpiece via a grinding wheel. As the grinding wheel turns, it cuts material off the workpiece while creating a smooth surface texture in the process. While grinding sounds simple enough, there are probably some things you don’t know about this machining process. Below are five interesting facts about grinding.
#1) Lubrication Is Used to Control Chips
Lubrication in the form of oil — either organic or synthetic — is applied to the grinding wheel to control chip formation. Without lubrication, excess material will accumulate in the form of chips, which can affect the grinding wheel’s performance and, therefore, the finished product. Of course, lubrication works to lubricate the grinding wheel by reducing friction, but it’s also used to hold the chips in place so that the excess material can be removed with greater ease.
#2) It Removes Material Roughly 0.25 to 0.50 mm Deep
Grinding isn’t particularly effective at removing large amounts of material from a workpiece. In fact, the average depth at which workpieces are grinded is 0.25 to 50 millimeters. The primary advantage of grinding over other cutting processes is that it’s able to product a smooth surface.
#3) Grinding Machines Coolant
Just like your car’s engine uses coolant to control its temperature, so do grinding machines. Because grinding machines rotate at such as a fast rate, they produce significant heat when exposed to a workpiece. The rotating grinding wheel creates friction against the workpiece, resulting in the production of heat. Coolant, however, is used to control and prevent the buildup of heat, which could otherwise cause damage to the workpiece or burns to the worker performing the grinding operation.
#4) Some Grinding Wheels Feature a Diamond-Tipped Blade
You may discover that some grinding wheels feature a diamond-tipped blade. While diamond isn’t the hardest substance on Earth, it is in fact the hardest metal. As a result, it’s often used for cutting tools, including grinding wheels. With a diamond-tipped blade, grinding wheels are able to cut just about any material, even hard metals.
#5) Grinding Machines Have Been Used for Centuries
Grinding machines aren’t a new invention. They’ve been around for centuries, with some of the first grinding machines consisting of a pedal that, when stepped on, turns a grinding wheel. Pedal-powered grinding machines are rarely used today. Rather, most modern grinding machines are now powered by electricity. Both pedal-powered and electrically powered grinding machines, however, are designed to turn a grinding wheel for the purpose of removing material from a workpiece.