Precision machining involves using grinding, cutting, turning, milling, sawing, and boring tools to remove specific amounts of material from a workpiece until the desired end result is achieved. This article looks at the types of grinding machines used in the precision machining business.

What is a Grinding Machine?

Grinding is used to carefully remove minute amounts of excess material from a workpiece. It typically occurs at the end of the machining process to guarantee the highest degree of precision for the finished workpiece. Material is removed through the use of a rotating grinding wheel, which is placed against a workpiece in some fashion. Types of grinding machines include:

• Surface Grinding: The most common type of grinding, surface grinding is accomplished with either a horizontal axis or vertical axis grinding machine. These grinders are used to produce flat, angular, or irregular surfaces. The workpiece is fixed on a table, while a grinding wheel that is rotating at high speed is lowered down to it to perform the grinding function. A double-ended surface grinding machine may have wheels above and below to perform grinding with the workpiece between them. Surface grinding is usually used for removing significant amounts of excess material.
• Centerless Grinding: Appropriate for mass production of workpieces, centerless grinding does not use centering holes or require the use of devices to hold the workpiece. The workpiece is supported between a fixed blade and a rotating regulating wheel that pushes it against the grinding wheel. The grinding wheel turns the workpiece, with the regulating wheel controlling the differential motion which is needed for material removal. The workpiece is located by its outside diameter while grinding between centers holds it on its centerline.
• Internal Grinding: This machining process uses an internal grinding machine or a cylindrical grinding machine to accurately finish straight, tapered, or formed holes. It can also use internal grinding equipment which is attached to a universal grinding machine. In this type of grinding, the workpiece is usually fixed, while the inner surface is machined by the rotating axle wheel.
• Cylindrical Grinding: In this highly accurate form of grinding, the grinding wheel is rotated around a cylindrical workpiece to machine the outer periphery of the workpiece. It uses either a cylindrical grinding machine or a universal grinding machine. The workpiece turns in the opposite direction to the wheel. Workpiece rotation is achieved from a chuck that usually holds one of the centers. A driving “dog” is fitted to it, which is pushed around in a circle by a pin on the chuck.
• Contour Grinding: This process uses a profile grinding machine to work a workpiece into an arbitrary shape.
• Gear Grinding: A gear grinding machine is used to shape teeth, such as those used in gears. These machines are specifically designed to remove excess material from shafts. They use grinding wheels to grind the center of a shaft with extreme precision.
• Thread Grinding: This machining process forms a thread using a teeth thread grinding machine.

Which type of grinding is used is based on the application for the workpiece, the customer’s quality specifications, production quantities, and budgetary considerations. Impro upholds and adheres to the highest standards for our machining technology and equipment.

Learn More About Grinding Machines

Impro is a global, integrated manufacturer of high-precision, high-complexity, and mission-critical components for diversified markets. We use state-of-the-art process technologies and equipment. If you are interested in finding more information about our process and machining capabilities, please contact our team of experts today.