As the name implies, internal grinding consists of the ability to produce a concentric hole in the center of the workpiece to exacting specifications. While this may seem like a simple process, it is actually very complicated and requires a careful selection of the tools, the speed of the operation and even the way the workpiece is fixed within the grinding machine.
To create the shape, a hole is bored into the center of the workpiece to the desired depth. Then, using the correct type of internal grinding tool, the interior material is removed through the grinding process. With the use of CNC grinding technology, the process can be extremely precise, allowing for tolerances that are incredibly tight and meet the specifications required in any type of application.
The Challenges
While CNC grinding allows for precision work, it is still critical for the system set up to be correct based on the type of metal, alloy or plastic used as the workpiece. The speed of rotation of the system has to be considered as well as how the material responds to grinding and what abrasives on the grinding tool offer the best finish.
For some parts, all that may be required is a concentric hole all the way through the part, which is the least complex of the options. Interior holes that require tapers, shaping or ledges or steps within the interior of the part are significantly more complicated and require additional engineering and system setup to complete.
Another challenge to internal grinding is the production capacity of the shop. Often smaller shops only offer limited equipment, which restricts the volume of grinding that can be completed. Larger facilities that specialize in grinding are typically better equipped to handle the medium to large volume orders, particularly if there are short turnaround times expected on the orders.
