THE SEARCH FOR AN ECONOMIC DOMAIN OF OPERATION WHEN GRINDING BELOW THE FILM BOILING LIMIT

An investigation has been conducted to determine whether an economic d omain of shallow-cut grinding exists below the him boiling temperature . It identifies the potential benefits of grinding below film boiling and provides preliminary theoretical evidence based on accepted therma l analyses in grinding and the results of previous research. The evide nce shows that an economic domain in shallow-cut grinding could exist. The stock removal rate reported by one group of researchers [Bull. Ja p. Sec. Precision Engng 17(2), 133 (1983)] [1] was only 1 mm(3) (mm s) (-1), whereas 5-6 mm(3) (mm s)(-1) is commonly accepted as an economic stock removal rate in shallow-cut grinding. The present thermal analy sis indicates that the stock removal rates of 16 mm(3) (mm s)(-1) migh t be possible with alumina wheels operating at conventional wheel spee ds with very small depths of cut. Rates higher than 250 mm(3) (mm s)(- 1) might be possible when using CBN wheels and high wheel speeds. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.