As detailed by Cutting Tool Engineering in their article, “Up-Grinding vs. Down-Grinding”, the relative speed between a workpiece and a grinding wheel plays a crucial role in determining grinding performance. This differential speed affects chip thickness, surface finish, wheel wear, and heat generation, making the choice between unidirectional and anti-directional grinding a key decision.
When grinding unidirectionally, the speed differential is calculated by subtracting the workpiece speed from the wheel speed. For example, a grinding wheel speed of 42.4 m/s and a workpiece speed of 31.4 m/s results in a differential of 11 m/s. This setup tends to produce larger chip thickness, more wheel wear, and a rougher finish. Conversely, anti-directional grinding, where the workpiece and wheel rotate in opposite directions, creates a higher differential (e.g., 73.8 m/s), yielding a smoother finish with smaller chip thickness but higher heat generation.
Adjusting wheel speed can strike a balance between these extremes. For instance, increasing unidirectional wheel speed to 60 m/s improves the differential to 28.6 m/s, offering a more efficient grind. Similarly, lowering wheel speed in anti-directional grinding to 25 m/s reduces the differential to 56.4 m/s for better control.
Click here to learn more about Universal Grinding services and capabilities.
Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of Cutting Tool Engineering.
