What Is a Precision Grinder?
A precision grinder, also called a polisher, is a machine used for the surface finishing of industrial products and parts that require precision processing.
A circular grinding wheel rotates at high speed to polish the workpiece to achieve a smooth and beautiful finish. Precision grinding machines can perform various processes depending on the shape, material, and rotational speed of the polishing wheel.
Precision grinders produce a uniform, smooth finish on materials such as metal, plastic, and glass. They also provide excellent performance in precision machining and surface finishing.
For example, the use of precision grinders is essential in the manufacture of parts for automobiles, aircraft, and home appliances. They are indispensable when parts must fit smoothly together and when durability is required.
Uses of Precision Grinders
The range of applications is wide, with specialized functions depending on the machine. Precision grinders are available in flat and special types, each of which is used for a different purpose.
1. Surface Grinders
Surface grinders are used to flatten the surface of an object and improve the adhesion of mating surfaces between parts, thereby reducing friction and enabling parts to function more efficiently. Surface grinders are indispensable for products requiring precision parts, such as automobiles and aircraft.
2. Blade Grinders
Blade grinders are machines specialized for polishing blades and are designed to prevent the wear of the grinding wheel. They utilize a water-cooled circulation system to rotate the grinding wheel horizontally. Blade grinders are important machines for maintaining and improving the performance of knives, saws, and other cutting tools.
Precision grinders offer specialized features for a wide range of applications, providing the right finish for each industry and product. Their effectiveness contributes greatly to precision machining, improved product quality, and increased efficiency.
Principle of Precision Grinders
The principles of precision grinders are often confused with those of rough grinders, but the machining principles are different. A grinder is characterized by the fact that it uses a grinding wheel rotating at high speed to shave the surface of the workpiece to improve surface roughness.
Precision grinders, on the other hand, smooth the surface by pressing abrasive grains against the workpiece at a constant pressure. In the structure of a precision grinder, abrasive grains called chips, which have an abrasive effect, are attached to the periphery of a circular grinding wheel. Since the chips on the surface of the grinding wheel may fall off during the polishing process, care must be taken to ensure that the grinding wheel is not worn out when performing repetitive operations.
Types of Precision Grinders
There are three main types of grinders: surface grinders, outer-diameter grinders, and internal grinders.
1. Surface Grinder
Surface grinders are used to polish the surface of metal parts and materials to a certain level of roughness. They are characterized by precision and efficiency. They are widely used in manufacturing industries that require extremely fine finishing. The appeal of flat-grinding grinders is their precision.
Consistent flatness and parallelism can be machined. Precision is essential in industries that require exact dimensional accuracy, such as semiconductor manufacturing, aircraft component manufacturing, and precision metal product manufacturing.
2. Outer-Diameter Grinder
Outer-diameter grinders are used to grind the outer surface of cylindrical or conical workpieces. These grinders are mainly suited for surface finishing of parts such as bearings and gears, which require high precision.
Coolant is supplied between the grinder’s grinding wheel and the workpiece to improve the grinding precision and extend the life of the grinding wheel.
3. Internal Grinder
Internal grinders are machines used to grind the inner surface of cylindrical or conical workpieces. They are mainly used for precision machining of the inside diameter of parts such as automobile engines and pumps.
The grinding wheels of the grinder are designed to grind efficiently in a small space and are suitable for applications that require high machining accuracy.