What is Precision Grinding: Benefits, Types & Applications

High-quality customized components are required in almost every application. To achieve high precision and accuracy, the process of precision grinding in CNC machining methods. If you need to learn more about precision grinding, its benefits, applications, and types, you can go through this guide below.

What is Precision Grinding?

Precision grinding is a machining process that consists of spinning the abrasive particles; these particles help to remove material from the workpiece, ensuring a smooth surface. The specification of the product determines the time, speed, and abrasion that needs to be applied.

Precision grinding is suitable for all types of materials, including metals, minerals, and ceramics. Moreover, when you are not able to get the desired surface precision after using other methods of machining, precision grinding helps you achieve it. It is a final process for a manufacturing part.

Benefits of Precision Grinding

The process of precision grinding offers multiple benefits, and some of these are the following:

High Consistency and Accuracy

The components manufactured using precision grinding have tight tolerance. They have high accuracy, and hence, the quality of these components is commendable. All the components manufactured in each batch are consistent.

Enhanced Surface Finish

Precision grinding ensures a smooth surface which also makes the final product have a better appearance and even reduces wear and friction.

Improved Material Integrity

The material integrity is preserved by the process of precision grinding. It helps protect the component from getting damaged due to heat distortion and micro-cracking.

Versatile Material Suitability

The process of precision grinding is suitable for diverse materials– composites, ceramics, and even hard metals. Hence, it is suitable for various industries like automobile, medical, and aerospace.

Cost-Effective

The process of precision grinding itself may be a bit expensive. However, once you make the component pass through it, the need for secondary operations reduces, the life of the component increases, and the material waste is also minimized. Hence, in the long run it offers cost-effectiveness.

Suitable for Critical Dimensions

Precision grinding offers high control on critical dimensions, and hence, the components manufactured through it meet the requirements of the design, which are crucial for application. Also, the components, after passing through the process of precision grinding, turn out to be more wear-resistant.

Types of Precision Grinding

There are different types of precision grinding options that have their suitability for different applications, and some of these are the following:

Surface Grinding

Surface grinding helps to refinish and reshape the outer layer of the component making it a smoother surface. The abrasive grinding wheel spins, and the workpiece is fixed into the chuck. There are two types of chucks in the grinding machine, either an electronic magnet or a permanent one.

In the case of a permanent magnet, the chuck attracts and holds the workpiece which is made of magnetic materials. In the electromagnet, the workpieces are held electrically.

Cylindrical Grinding

Cylindrical grinding is also known as center-type grinding which has a cylindrical grinder. The grinder is responsible for refinishing the surface of the component. The workpiece is in the middle of the machine, and the motors rotate the workpiece as well as the grinding wheel to finish the surface.

Centerless Grinding

Centerless grinding works on the components on the outer diameter. The workpiece doesn't have any specific handling position, and the grinder moves through the grinding and control wheel at a given location. It usually works for tubes and bars that are long.

Internal Grinding

Internal grinding is used to grind the inner diameter of the components. It has a wheel that has high grinding speed and mostly works on tubular components. The chuck holds the workpiece in a fixed position during the process.

External Grinding

External grinding (OD), as the name suggests, works on the outer diameter of the components. It usually works with the curved parts and the grinding wheel and the workpiece spins in a similar direction for the process.

Applications of Precision Grinding in Manufacturing

The process of precision grinding is opted for by various industries, and some of these are given below:

Automobile Industry

In the automobile industry, the process of precision grinding is usually opted for engine components. These components, like crankshafts and camshafts, need exact tolerance and smooth operation.

Moreover, the transmission gears are even subject to the process of precision grinding so that the friction can be reduced and optimal surface finish is achieved.

Aerospace Industry

Precision grinding in the aerospace industry is opted for components of landing gear, engine, and turbine blades. These components must have a tight tolerance and offer safety in a high-stress environment; hence they should be accurate.

Medical Industry

In the medical industry, there are multiple medical tools that are dependent on precision grinding for their high quality. The implants and surgical instruments require smoothness and sharpness at the same time so that they can be effectively used.

The process of precision grinding also helps in manufacturing hip joints, implants, and dental screws, which are biocompatible.

Electronic Industry

Electronic components like microchips, connectors, and semiconductor components are manufactured using precision grinding. This process allows for high accuracy and smooth surfaces which are needed for optimal performance.

Get High Precision Grinding Services At DEK

Precision grinding requires high accuracy so that the components manufactured are capable of serving their purposes optimally. DEK, being a pioneer in the field, offers highly reliable grinding services for your custom components.

You can get in touch and specify your requirements, and we will provide you with the most durable, accurate, and affordable component for your application.

Conclusion

Precision grinding improves the quality of the components and also adds to their durability and precision. As you have gone through this guide above, you must have understood how beneficial the process of precision grinding can be for different applications.

FAQs

Which parts need precision grinding services?

The parts that have minimal error margin are manufactured through precision grinding. Some of these parts are usually turbine blades, components of electrical devices, and scientific instruments.

What tolerances can be achieved with precision grinding at DEK?

Opting DEK for precision grinding allows you to have a tolerance as tight as ±0.002mm for the components used in different industries.

Is precision grinding suitable for mass production?

Yes, precision grinding is suitable for mass production, especially for components that require high accuracy and uniform tolerance across the entire production batch.