Cylindrical Grinding

Cylindrical grinding provides a finishing operation by improving the quality of surfaces through the careful removal of excess material. This is an important step in the finishing process of a workpiece, guaranteeing the product is of the desired shape and size.

Cylindrical grinding in particular is used for grinding cylindrical shapes, such as pipes and tubes.

The main types of cylindrical grinding can be largely broken down into five categories.

Outside diameter grinding - this type of grinding grinds the outside of the rotating workpiece using a wheel, as the workpiece slides along the spinning wheel

Inside diameter grinding - inside diameter grinding grinds the inside of a rotating workpiece; the grinding wheel must be small enough to fit inside the workpiece internal diameter for this to take place

Creep feed grinding - creep feed grinding creates a much deeper cut in the workpiece, removing larger amounts of surface at once for quicker results

Centerless grinding - a centerless grinder places the workpiece in between a stationary wheel and a moving wheel, to grind it without the use of centres holding the workpiece

Plunge grinding - the workpiece is held whilst the grinder is lowered to its surface, rather than moving along it like the other methods.

CNC cylindrical grinders - the most common way of operating cylindrical grinders - are highly accurate, since their actions are programmed through a computer. It removes variables which may occur through machining by hand. Moreover, the machines are capable of handling high volume quantities, whilst maintaining repeatability across large bulks.

CNC machinery can save time and reduce costs by minimising error and damage of materials.