A grinding machine which is popularly known as a grinder is a power tool or machine tool used for grinding. Just like other machine tools, it is a type of machining process that uses an abrasive wheel as the cutting tool. The abrasive grain on the wheel’s surface cuts a small chip from the workpiece through a shear deformation.
Today we’ll be looking at the definition, types, working principle, parts, operations, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
Contents
Grinding machine definition:
A grinding machine or grinder is an industrial power tool that features an abrasive wheel for cutting or removing chips from metal surfaces. It can also be defined as a process of metal cutting by using a rotating abrasive wheel from the surface of the workpiece.
Using a grinder on a workpiece that shows low surface roughness, will help to obtain high surface quality, accuracy, and dimension.
Read more: Parts of a Grinding Machine and their functions
The working principle of a grinding machine:
The working of a grinding machine is quite interesting and easier to understand. The grinder features an electric motor that supplies the motion power to the grinding wheel with the aid of a belt and pulley. The electric motor rotates at 150-15000 RPM, well it may vary according to the types of grinders. The v-belt and cone pulley play an important role are the grinding wheel start rotating and the operation gets done.
Grinding machine diagram:
Operations:
The followings are the operations that can be performed on a grinding machine:
- Surface grinding operation.
- Cylindrical grinding operation (internal and external cylinder grinding.)
- Centerless grinding operation.
- Form grinding operation.
- Wet and Dry grinding operation.
Read more: Operations that can be performed on grinding machine
Grinding Machines Types:
The following stated below represent the various types of grinding machines:
Rough Grinders:
The rough types of grinders are categorized into:
- Floor or bench grinders.
- Portable grinders.
- Abrasive belt grinders.
- Swing-Frame grinders.
Precision Grinders:
Precision grinders are categorized into:
- Surface grinders.
- Cylindrical grinders (Plain, Universal, and centerless grinders.)
- Tool and cutter grinders.
- Internal grinders (chucking, planetary, and centerless grinders.)
- Special grinders.
- Read more: Types of grinding machines and their working
Parts
Grinding machine parts consist of the following parts:
- Base or Bed
- Table
- Headstock
- Tailstock
- Wheel head
- Cross-feed
Read more: Everything you need to know about a grinding machine
Advantages and disadvantages of grinding machines
Advantages
The following stated below represent the benefit of using grinding machines
- High surface finish and accuracy are produced.
- Ability to machine hard material.
- Less pressure can be applied to work.
- Ability to work at high temperatures.
- Offers highly accurate dimensions.
- Ability to cut any type of metal at a speed rate.
- It can produce a smooth surface
Despite the great advantages of grinding machines some limitations still occur. The following are the disadvantages of using grinding machines:
- The tools are highly expensive.
- Materials are removed little by little, making it a time-consuming process.
- Operation is carefully done to avoid damage.
That’s it for this article, Understanding grinding machines. I hope the knowledge is attained, if so, kindly comment, share, and check other interesting topics below. Thanks!
