Superabrasive grinding process optimization through force measurement

Several obstacles complicate the task of optimizing a particular superabrasive grinding process. Grinding wheel manufacturers provide valuable guidance in setting up a new process; however, there are numerous issues requiring better insight into machine setup and wheel selection. This paper presents a promising approach to investigating the efficient grinding of brittle materials with superabrasives. In this work, a precision two-axis machine tool is used with a specially designed air bearing spindle featuring embedded sensors calibrated to measure grinding forces. The sensor output provides force feedback and is especially valuable in configurations that are not easily instrumented by other methods (such as ID, OD, and rotary grinding). This approach was first introduced in the December/January 1999 Abrasives Magazine. In this article, several examples are presented along with a brief review of the technical approach.