Grinding

A grinding machine is used to finish precision CNC machining components that must be featured with high surface quality (e.g., low surface roughness) and high accuracy of shape and dimension.

The size, shape, features and desired production rate of workpieces determine which of the following grinding operations are used at Apporo.

The surface grinding machine is equipped with 3-axis automatic movement with incremental downfeed, electronic auto-crossfeed, and proportional valve hydraulic powered table movement. For inquiries requiring high flatness and good surface roughness, we use this machine to produce a smooth, accurate finish on either metal or non-metal flat surfaces. The surface material is removed by the application of abrasives which are bonded to form a rotating wheel. When the moving abrasive particles contact the workpiece, they act as tiny cutting tools, each particle cutting a tiny chip from the workpiece.

Outside diameter (OD) grinding grinds the external surface of the workpiece between two centers. The two centers touch both ends of the workpiece and rotate. Cylindrical OD grinding is ideal for parts with single or multiple diameters that need to run concentric with each other or between centers.

As for infeed grinding, there is no need for collet or centers to hold the workpiece in place when compared to OD grinding. We use an adjusting wheel positioned on the opposite side of the object to the grinding wheel to regulate the axial movement of the workpiece. Frankly speaking, centerless grinding is much easier to combine with automatic loading procedures than OD grinding.

Through feed grinding is for applications where only the largest outside diameter is to be ground. The regulating wheel is held at a slight angle to the part. So there is a force feeding the part through the grinder. Actually, centerless grinding is a much easier and more efficient method to run with automatic loading equipment than centered grinding.