Introduction
Surface grinding, also known as flat grinding, is the most common type of grinding in which a rotating abrasive wheel removes material from a flat work piece in order to create a desired finish and shape. The most common machine used for this purpose is a horizontal spindle surface grinder. The parts to be ground are fastened to the grinding table and the grinding wheel is moved over the top of them. The grinding wheel removes material until the desired surface is achieved.
The Advantages of Surface Grinding
Surface grinding has a number of advantages over traditional grinding techniques. It is a very accurate and consistent method of grinding as the surface grinding machine only removes very small amounts of material from the workpiece. This also ensures that the workpiece is kept close to its original size and shape. Another advantage of surface grinding is that it is a repeatable process, meaning it is possible to achieve consistent surface finishes with each successive grinding pass. In comparison to other grinding processes, such as cylindrical grinding and blanchard grinding, surface grinding can produce much tighter tolerances and smooth finishes.
Types of Surface Grinding Machines
Surface grinding is typically done using a horizontal spindle surface grinder and can be used to grind flat surfaces, curved surfaces, specific areas on a part, or the entire part in a single pass. This type of grinding is also able to produce very fine finishes on parts, up to a Ra value of 0.25μm, depending on the part and grinding parameters. There are other types of surface grinding machines including vertical spindle, reciprocating table and rotary table.
Application of Surface Grinding
Surface grinding machines can be used in a variety of applications and are most commonly used for finishing operations. They are also used to grind flat surfaces, as well as to remove material from specific areas on a part. In addition, surface grinding machines can be used to create a variety of finishes including satin, polished and brushed finishes. This makes them ideal for producing parts for the automotive, aerospace, medical and electronics industries.
Conclusion
Surface grinding machines are the most widely used type of grinding machine for the finishing of metal and ceramic parts. They are versatile and can be used to create accurate and consistent finishes on parts by removing material from the workpiece. Surface grinding is capable of producing tight tolerances and precise surface finishes, as well as a large variety of finishes such as satin, polished and brushed. They are used in a variety of industries, most notably the automotive, aerospace, medical and electronics industries.
