What Is Grinding and Its Working Principle and Type?
Knowledge

What Is Grinding and Its Working Principle and Type?

The principle of grinding precision machining: Grinding is an abrasive precision machining method that uses a lapping tool and abrasive to grind off a thin layer of metal from the surface of the workpiece based on fine machining.
Published: Sep 28, 2021
What Is Grinding and Its Working Principle and Type?

What Is Grinding Process?

Define grinding:

Grinding is a unit operation that reduces solid matter into smaller particles.

Define grinding process:

Grinding is a processing method that uses abrasives to remove material. The process of removing material with abrasives is one of the earliest production techniques used by humans.

Grinding process is a micro-processing method. Grinding uses a grinding tools and abrasive (a free abrasive) to generate relative movement between the processed surface of the workpiece and the grinding tool, and apply pressure to remove it from the workpiece. Tiny surface raised layer to reduce surface roughness and improve dimensional accuracy, geometric accuracy, etc. Grinding process can be used in various metal and non-metal materials. The processed surface shapes include flat surfaces, inner and outer cylindrical and conical surfaces, convex and concave spherical surfaces, threads, tooth surfaces, and other profiles. In-mold manufacturing, especially precision die-casting molds, plastic molds, and automobile panel molds that require high product appearance quality are widely used.

What Is the Working Principle of Grinding Machines?

  1. During the grinding process, the grinding surface of the grinder tool is evenly coated with abrasive. If the material hardness of the grinding tool is lower than that of the workpiece, when the grinding tool and the workpiece move relative to each other under pressure, the abrasive has sharp edges and corners. Some of the particles with high hardness will be pressed into the surface of the lap to produce cutting action (plastic deformation), and some will roll or slide between the grinding tool and the surface of the workpiece to produce slippage (elastic deformation). These particles, like countless cutting blades, produce a small amount of cutting action on the surface of the workpiece, and evenly cut a thin layer of metal from the surface of the workpiece. At the same time, under the action of the grinding pressure, the passivated abrasive particles squeeze the peak points of the processed surface to produce micro-extrusion plastic deformation on the processed surface, so that the workpiece gradually obtains high dimensional accuracy and low surface roughness.

  2. When using abrasives such as chromium oxide and stearic acid, the abrasive and the processed surface of the workpiece have a chemical effect during the grinding process, resulting in a very thin oxide film, which is easily worn off. The grinding process is the process of continuous generation and erasing of oxide film, so many cycles of repetition reduce the roughness of the processed surface.

What Are the Types of Grinding Processes?

  1. Manual grinding:

    The relative movement of the grinder machine and the workpiece is operated manually. The processing quality depends on the skill level of the operator, the labor intensity is high, and the work efficiency is low. Suitable for various surfaces of various metal and non-metal workpieces. The local narrow slits, slots, deep holes, blind holes, and dead corners on the mold forming parts are still mainly hand-grinded.

  2. Semi-mechanical grinding:

    One of the grinder machine and workpiece adopts simple mechanical movement, and the other adopts manual operation. The processing quality is still related to the operator's skills, and the labor intensity is reduced. Mainly used for grinding the inner and outer cylindrical, flat, and conical surfaces of the workpiece. Commonly used when grinding mold parts.

  3. Mechanical grinding:

    The movement of the grinder machine and the workpiece adopts mechanical movement. The processing quality is guaranteed by mechanical equipment, and the work efficiency is relatively high. But it can only be applied to the grinding of parts such as the surface shape is not too complicated.

Conditions of Use of Abrasive

  1. Wet grinding:

    During the grinding process, the abrasive is applied to the surface of the grinding tool, and the grinding material rolls or slides between the grinding tool and the workpiece, forming a cutting effect on the surface of the workpiece. The processing efficiency is high, but the geometric shape and dimensional accuracy, and gloss of the processed surface are not as good as dry grinding. It is mostly used for rough grinding and semi-finishing of flat surfaces and inner and outer cylindrical surfaces.

  2. Dry grinding:

    Before grinding, the abrasive particles are evenly pressed into the working surface of the grind to a certain depth, which is called sand embedding. During the grinding process, the grinding tool and the workpiece maintain a certain pressure and move relative to a certain trajectory to achieve micro-cutting, thereby obtaining high dimensional accuracy and low surface roughness. During dry grinding, generally no or only a small amount of lubricating abrasive is applied. It is generally used for the fine grinding of planes, and the production efficiency is not high.

  3. Semi-dry grinding:

    Using paste grinding paste, like wet grinding. When grinding, according to the requirements of workpiece processing accuracy and surface roughness, apply the grinding paste promptly. It is suitable for rough and fine grinding of all kinds of workpieces.

Applications of Grinding Technology

  1. Low surface roughness:

    Grinding with surface grinder belongs to micro-feed grinding, and the cutting depth is small, which is beneficial to reduce the surface roughness value of the workpiece. The surface grinding machine processed surface roughness can reach Ra0.01μm.

  2. High dimensional accuracy:

    Grinding uses extremely fine micronized abrasives, and the machine tool, grinding tool, and workpiece are in an elastic floating working state. Under the action of low speed and low pressure, the convex points of the processed surface are successively ground, and the processing accuracy can reach 0. 1μm~0.01μm.

  3. High shape accuracy:

    When grinding, the workpiece is basically in a free state, the force is uniform, the movement is stable, and the movement accuracy does not affect the shape and position accuracy. The cylindricity of the processed cylinder can reach 0.1μm.

    To improve the mechanical properties of the surface of the workpiece: The grinding heat is small with surface grinding machine, the deformation of the workpiece is small, the metamorphic layer is thin, and there will be no micro-cracks on the surface. At the same time, it can reduce the surface friction coefficient and improve wear resistance and corrosion resistance. There is residual compressive stress on the surface of the ground part, which is conducive to improving the fatigue strength of the surface of the workpiece.

Published by Sep 28, 2021 Source :read01

Further reading

You might also be interested in ...

Headline
Knowledge
BLDC vs. Induction Motors in Lifting and Hoisting Applications: Efficiency, Safety, and System Cost
What makes BLDC motors a better fit for today’s lifting and hoisting systems.
Headline
Knowledge
Improving Multi-Computer Workflow Efficiency with a 4-Port USB-C KM Switch
How mouse roaming, 10Gbps USB sharing, and flexible control help streamline modern multi-system environments
Headline
Knowledge
How Anti-Static And Protective Films Reduce Surface Damage In Sensitive Manufacturing
In sensitive manufacturing, many costly defects do not begin with machine failure or operator error. They begin with static charge, airborne particles, micro-scratches, adhesive residue, and unnoticed surface contamination. These issues are often underestimated because they appear as scattered defects rather than one major failure. Yet in electronics, optics, display processing, and coated surface production, even small flaws can reduce yield, increase rework, slow inspection, and weaken final product quality.
Headline
Knowledge
What Buyers Should Know Before Choosing a Automatic Plastic Blow Molding Machine
For buyers, factory owners, and packaging manufacturers, selecting an automatic blow molding machine is no longer just a matter of comparing output speed or initial price. In real production environments, the performance of a plastic blowing machine is often determined by the quality and coordination of its core components. A machine may appear competitive on paper, yet still create costly problems once production begins. Uneven wall thickness, unstable parison formation, excessive scrap, slow cooling, and difficult maintenance are all issues that can usually be traced back to the design of several key modules. This is why experienced buyers tend to look beyond catalog specifications and focus instead on the machine’s screw, die head, clamping system, and cooling design. These components do more than support production. They directly influence product quality, material efficiency, energy use, maintenance frequency, and overall return on investment.
Headline
Knowledge
What Buyers Overlook When Choosing a Wire Harness Manufacturer
A practical guide to evaluating engineering support, quality control, customization and sourcing risk
Headline
Knowledge
How High-Efficiency Gear Motors and Brushless Motors Support ESG and Energy Savings
Industrial motor efficiency directly affects a factory’s electricity use, carbon footprint, maintenance burden, and long-term operating cost. For factory owners, procurement teams, and equipment designers, choosing a more efficient gear motor or Brushless Motor is not only a technical upgrade. It is also a practical way to improve ESG performance, reduce energy waste, and strengthen return on investment. In most industrial facilities, motors are among the largest sources of electricity consumption. When motors run continuously in conveyors, packaging lines, automated machinery, food processing systems, and material handling equipment, even a modest improvement in efficiency can produce significant annual savings. That is why motor efficiency is increasingly linked to ESG strategy, cost control, and supply chain competitiveness.
Headline
Knowledge
Die Casting Vs. Forging: How To Choose Based On Strength, Geometry, And Volume
Choosing between die casting and forging affects far more than part cost. It influences structural performance, design flexibility, tooling strategy, machining requirements, lead time, and long-term production efficiency. When the wrong process is selected too early, projects often run into redesigns, extra machining, or higher-than-expected production costs. The right decision depends on how much strength is required, how complex the part geometry is, and whether the target is lower-volume production or stable high-volume output.
Headline
Knowledge
How Material Design Affects Fitness And Rehabilitation Rubber Products
In fitness and rehabilitation products, material design has a direct effect on performance, comfort, durability, hygiene, and long-term user trust. A resistance band that stretches unevenly, a grip that becomes slippery, or a flexible component that tears too early can quickly lead to complaints, returns, and lower confidence in the product. The key challenge is not simply choosing an elastic material. It is selecting and validating a material system that can perform consistently under repeated stretching, skin contact, sweat exposure, and ongoing mechanical stress.
Headline
Knowledge
Choosing the Right Coating for Paper Cups and Food Containers
Selecting the right coating for paper cups and food containers affects far more than leak resistance. For foodservice brands, importers, product teams, and packaging decision-makers, coating choice directly shapes heat resistance, grease performance, sealing behavior, disposal options, compliance risk, and overall cost. A paper cup or food container may look similar on the outside, but the coating often determines whether it performs well in real service conditions or creates problems after launch. That is why coating specifications should be defined early rather than treated as a minor detail after size, structure, or artwork are approved.
Headline
Knowledge
Understanding Lathe Types: Differences Between Manual, Engine, and CNC
When manufacturers evaluate different lathe types, the decision usually goes beyond machine specifications alone. Choosing between a **manual lathe**, an engine lathe, and a CNC lathe can influence production flexibility, machining consistency, labor requirements, and long-term investment efficiency. For many workshops, factories, and industrial buyers, understanding these differences is essential to selecting equipment that truly fits the job. In metalworking, the wrong machine choice can create avoidable problems. A machine that is too simple may limit output, while a machine that is too advanced may increase cost without delivering enough return. That is why buyers often need a clear, practical comparison rather than a purely technical definition. This article explains the differences between manual, engine, and CNC lathes, where each one performs best, and how buyers can choose the right type based on actual production needs.
Headline
Knowledge
Biometric, RFID or Face Recognition: Which Access Controller Fits Your Site Best?
What procurement and technical teams should review when selecting an access controller for security, throughput and long-term fit.
Headline
Knowledge
What Is Fuel Injector Cleaner and How Does It Work?
Why Fuel Injector Cleaner Matters
Agree