Centerless Grinding: An Effective OD Grinding Process

by | Feb 17, 2016 | Tool Grinding Service

Centerless grinding is a type of outside diameter (OD) grinding process. Its purpose is to remove specific material from the specified metal work piece. Like all forms of grinding it utilizes abrasive cutting to accomplish this task. Yet, it is different from other types of cylindrical grinding processes.

Centerless Grinding: Different for other OD Grinding

Centerless grinding is, as the name indicates, centerless. This is a clear differentiation from other forms of OD grinding. They rely on some form of central support. The work piece is either held between the centers or by a chuck device. It is then rotated against the abrasive spinning, wheel provided power through an external motor usually located in the work head.

Centerless grinding effectively grinds the surface of a metal bar or turned component, but it does so without mechanical restraints. It accomplishes the tasks without needing a center or central support. In addition, because of its lack of a center, it does not possess any center holes, work head fixtures of any kind or drivers.

Purpose of Employing Centerless Grinding

Operators who select centerless grinding do so to achieve a roundness. They also prefer it for its ability to give a quality surface finish as well as dimensional tolerances. Instead, the support is provided by a work blade. This is found between two wheels:

 * A high speed grinding wheel

 * A regulating wheel of smaller diameter and running at a slower speed

It is essential that the relation between these two parts and the work blade is carefully maintained and operated. Failure to do so results in components that can be of such poor quality they end up in the discard pile. Yet, difficulties aside, centerless grinding is chosen because it offers manufacturers several advantages when completed correctly.

The Advantages of Centerless Grinding

When it comes to grinding, it does appear that lacking a center can actually be advantageous. Centerless grinding provides its operators with the following benefits:

 * It produces smoother surface finishes

 * It results in straightness of high degrees

 * It has a very short set-up time with no necessary preparation of the part in terms of clamping

 * No down time is required when moving from piece to piece

 * Errors concerning roundness and cylindricity are substantially and significantly reduced

 * Work piece length can be variable without changing machine size to accommodate

 * The overall grinding process is virtually continuous as a result of the almost miniscule loading time

 * The design and operating system of centerless grinding make it possible to easily handle both brittle and distorted components

Centerless Grinding

When it comes to grinding, centerless grinding is one way companies can address several issues. It is a means through problems focused on wear and tear as well as production speed can be handled with aplomb. It is a process that can be automated. It lubricates naturally and, because of its versatility and little down time, centerless grinding is a relatively inexpensive means to improve a company’s production in terms of volume, capability and quality.

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