Stock removal rate and workpiece strength in multi-pass grinding of ceramics

Stock removal rate and workpiece strength are evaluated in terms of machine stiffness and grinding wheel parameters in multi-pass grinding of silicon nitride ceramics. This paper presents theoretical analyses on normal grindi ng ford, actual depth of cut (ADOC) of a grinding wheel, stock removal rate and residual strength of ground workpieces, as well as experimental result s to verify the analyses. In the grinding experiments, silicon nitride work pieces are subjected to multi-pass grinding with four diamond wheels of thr ee grit sizes and two bond types. as well as a precision grinder of adjusta ble stiffness. The electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID) technique is ado pted to evaluate how wheel dressing can affect the workpiece strength and s tock removal rate in multi-pass grinding. A discussion addresses the issues of strength gain and strength loss for ground workpieces and a recommendat ion is provided to obtain higher residual strength of ground workpiece. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.