A grinder is a widely used abrasive processing process in which a spinning wheel is covered with coarse grains. Cutting pieces of metallic or non-metallic substances from a workpiece to make the surface flat or smooth.
How Does a Surface Grinder Work?
The three main components of a surface grinder are the rotating grinding wheel, the work holding, and the reciprocating or rotary table. Grinding wheels smooth and refine the surface of a material by removing excess material from it. Work holding devices hold workpieces in place during machining. The table moves the workpiece around the wheel surface as needed to achieve the desired specification.
What Types of Surfaces Grinders are There?
- Horizontal Spindle Grinder:
Horizontal spindle grinders, also known as peripheral surface grinders, are designed to keep the flat circumference of the grinding wheel in contact with the workpiece surface. This setting ensures the creation of flat shapes with a smooth finish, making it ideal for machining components that require flat surfaces. It also works on sloped or tapered surfaces as well as grooved or recessed surfaces. Typical components made using these machines include connecting rods, pins, and pistons. - Vertical Spindle Grinder:
Vertical spindle grinders, also known as wheel surface grinders, are designed to quickly remove excess material from workpieces. Grinding wheels can be made in various forms to suit different part shapes. Typical components made using these machines include gears, rotors, and spacers. - Single Disc / Double Disc Grinder:
Single and double-disc grinders are available in horizontal and vertical configurations. Single-disc grinders allow for a larger contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, while dual-disc grinders can machine both sides of the workpiece at the same time. Typical components made using these machines include gears, plates, and washers.
What are the Parts and Functions of the Grinding Machine?
- Base: The base is a cast iron-made body that houses all the components of the grinding machine.
- Table: This part holds the material to be grounded and allows it to rotate around a vertical axis. It supports and holds the workpiece firmly in place for accurate grinding operation.
- Wheel Head: This component consists of an electric motor, spindle shaft, bearings, and pulleys that control wheel speed and direction of rotation during grinding operations. Used to remove unwanted material from the workpiece to obtain the desired smoothness and surface finish. The wheels are coated with abrasive grains.
- Wheel Guard: This is a safety device used to protect both operator and the machine from any flying debris generated during grinding operations.
- Magnetic Chuck or Vise: This part holds the workpiece firmly in place while being ground by the spinning wheel head surface grinder wheels.
- Coolant System: A cooler system helps keep temperatures low during heavy-duty machining operations such as surface grinding machines.
- Cross feed: Cross feed is a part of this machine used for moving up and down or left and right of the wheel head and work table and so on.
Read more: What are Grinding Machine Processing and its Grinding Machine Components?
