Precision grinding of optical glass with laser micro-structured coarse-grained diamond wheels

This paper presents a series of micro-structured coarse-grained diamond wheels for optical glass surface grinding aiming to improve the grinding performance, especially subsurface damage. The 150 μm grit size, single layer electroplated diamond grinding wheels with different interval micro-groove arrays were manufactured by nanosecond pulsed laser, successfully. The influence of micro-structures on surface roughness and subsurface damage was investigated. Compared with conventional coarse-grained diamond wheel, the subsurface damage depth was reduced effectually from 5 to 1.5 μm, although the better surface roughness was not obtained by the micro-structured coarse-grained diamond wheel. In addition, the surface roughness and subsurface damage depth were both reduced with the decreasing interval of micro-groove arrays.     

Dressing and truing of hybrid bonded CBN grinding tools using a short-pulsed fibre laser

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the dressing and truing of hybrid bonded (metal-vitrified) CBN grinding wheels using a short-pulsed fibre laser. Truing of complex contours on CBN grinding tools with sharp edges (edge radii of less than 20 μm) could be successfully applied, whereas other dressing methods have been neither technically nor economically successful. Sharpening by laser can provide the same wheel surface topography which is conventionally produced by SiC and/or Al₂O₃ sharpening tools. Grinding characteristics and long-term performance of the laser-profiled tools are discussed.     

Application of shallow circumferential grooved wheels to creep-feed grinding

A single-point diamond dressing tool was used to cut shallow circumferential groove on aluminum oxide grinding wheels. Creep-feed grinding experiments were then carried out to compare the performance of these grooved wheels with a non-grooved wheel. The results showed that, for the conditions used in this research, a grooved wheel could remove twice as much material as a non-grooved wheel before workpiece burn occurred. The results also showed that a grooved wheel can improve grinding efficiency by reducing the consumed power by up to 61%. Although the use of grooved grinding wheels caused the workpiece surface roughness to increase slightly when compared to a non-grooved wheel, the grooved wheel enabled up to 37% more material to be removed while still maintaining workpiece surface roughness values below 0.3 μm (“fine quality” surface finish), and up to 120% more material to be removed while still maintaining workpiece surface roughness values below 1.6 μm (“average quality” surface finish).     

Grinding performance and workpiece integrity when superabrasive edge routing carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites

Data is presented for wheel wear, cutting forces and workpiece integrity when high speed routing 10 mm thick CFRP laminates using single layer electroplated diamond and CBN grinding points as opposed to standard end milling tools. A 60,000 rpm retrofit spindle was utilised to accommodate the 10 mm diameter wheels having grit sizes of 76, 151 and 252 μm employed under either roughing or finishing parameters. Wear of CBN points exhibited a near two-fold increase over diamond with a similar ratio for cutting forces. Despite use of flood cooling, point geometry when roughing compromised life and integrity due to excessive clogging.     

Effect of hot pressing temperature on microstructure,mechanical properties and grinding performance of vitrified-metal bond diamond wheels

The self-sharpening vitrified-metal bond diamond wheels added with a 3 wt.% brittle Na₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Li₂O vitrified bond were fabricated by hot pressed sintering technique. Using the methods of scan-electroscope, energy spectrum analysis, X-diffraction analysis, XPS analysis, Rockwell hardness test and three-point bending test, the effects of hot pressing temperature on the microstructure, hardness and the transverse rupture strength (TRS) of vitrified-metal bond were investigated. Then the grinding performance of cylinder of the diamond wheels was also studied. The results showed that, when the hot pressing temperature was 850 °C, a thin FeAl₂O₄ transition layer formed, which enhanced the interfacial bending strength between metal and glass phase, and the TRS of vitrified-metal bond reached the maximum value 826.54 MPa. Comparing with metal bond diamond wheel's, the average value of the roundness and straightness of the 50 cylinders ground by the vitrified-metal diamond wheel reduced from 3.1 μm and 2.5 μm to 2.7 μm and 2.1 μm.     

ELID grinding characteristics of glass-ceramic materials

Zerodur glass-ceramic materials have been widely used in optical, opto-electronic and precision engineering industries; their efficient ultraprecision machining, with extremely low surface roughness and high form accuracy, is in great demand in those fields. The authors have been conducting studies on realizing high-quality surface and form accuracy of zerodur glass-ceramic materials efficiently by use of electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID) grinding process. This paper proposes a new grinding mode in which top surface and sides of zerodur block were ground by cylindrical surface and side surface of grinding wheel. Grinding experiments were carried out using #1200, #2000 and #4000 diamond cast-iron bond wheels, and grinding characteristics such as grinding performance, ground surface roughness, surface topographies and perpendicularity between ground surfaces were investigated. Experiments on grinding using #4000 wheel successfully produced smooth top surface and side surfaces that were about 10 nmRa in surface roughness, 1.5 μm/□400×400 mm² in flatness and 90°±6″ in perpendicularity. AFM observation of the ground surface also showed that material removal in the ductile mode occurs for fine abrasive wheels. The results showed that grinding was stable without severe clogging for wheels by choosing suitable ELID parameters and grinding conditions.     

金刚石砂轮V形尖端的数控对磨微细修整技术

针对金刚石砂轮V形尖端的微细修整困难的问题,开发出一种对磨成型的V形尖端修整技术。在数控修整中,砂轮作V形的直线插补运动与修整工具对磨,逐渐被修整成V形尖端。本实验中修整工具分别是#600和#180绿碳化硅(GC)油石,砂轮分别为SD 400和SD 600金刚石砂轮。实验结果表明,较细粒度的修整工具不仅可以将砂轮V形尖端修整出更小的圆弧半径,而且也能够将微小磨粒修锐得更锋利,从而使加工的单晶硅微沟槽形状更加整齐。此外,采用修整后的圆弧半径小于20μm的SD 600金刚石砂轮V形尖端可以实现光纤石英微阵列沟槽的微细加工,也可以在SiC陶瓷和WC合金基板上加工出微锥塔阵列空间的功能表面。因此,数控对磨在位修整的工艺可以用于金刚石砂轮V形尖端的微细修整,实现硬脆性基板的微细磨削加工。     

An experimental investigation of rotary diamond truing and dressing of vitreous bond wheels for ceramic grinding

Experiments of rotary diamond truing and dressing of vitreous bond grinding wheels were conducted to investigate the effects of feed, speed ratio, and overlap ratio on cylindrical grinding of zirconia. The applications of ceramic engine components with complex and precise form and the lack of technology for precision truing of diamond grinding wheels have driven the need to study the use of vitreous bond CBN and SiC wheels for form grinding of ceramics. Truing and grinding forces and the roundness and surface finish of ground zirconia parts were measured. By varying truing process parameters, a wide range of surface finish and roundness could be achieved. Experimental results showed that wheels trued at speed ratio below −1.0 could grind parts with fine surface finish and good roundness. The analysis of truing and grinding results showed the trend of increasing grinding force at higher specific truing energy and better surface finish at higher grinding force. The lack of speed control of the direct–drive, variable–speed truing spindle was observed and its effect on the reverse of direction of truing force at positive speed ratios was studied.     

钎焊金刚石砂轮修整实验研究

单层钎焊金刚石砂轮的圆度轮廓精度由于受磨料粒径和钎焊结合剂层高度不均匀等因素的影响而使其难以在工程陶瓷等硬脆材料精密磨削中应用.然而单层钎焊金刚石砂轮的修整是直接对金刚石磨粒进行微量的磨损,修整难度大、效率低,因此,探讨快捷且精密的整形方法就成了解决其应用问题的关键技术之一.在本文研究中,分别采用铁基金刚石烧结磨块、钎焊细粒度金刚石板和氧化铝磨块三种整形工具对钎焊金刚石砂轮进行了磨削法整形实验研究,实验结果表明利用氧化铝磨块进行磨削修整效率极低;钎焊金刚石板磨削修整虽然效率高,但是对砂轮表面金刚石磨粒造成大量破碎磨损;铁基金刚石烧结磨块在整形过程中可稳定地以磨平方式磨损砂轮表面金刚石磨粒,经精密整形后的砂轮圆度轮廓精度较高,用其磨削工程陶瓷时工件表面的犁沟和裂纹明显减少.     

Computer simulation of sub-micron-scale precision truing of a metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel

A new simulation mode of wheel profile generation was proposed in precision truing of a metal-bonded diamond grinding wheel by considering the mutual wear of grinding wheel and truer in sub-micron scale. The aim is to understand how truing parameters influence truing accuracy and truing efficiency, namely wheel profile flatness and truing number. In order to assure the sub-micron-scale accuracy of a trued wheel profile, dry electro-contact discharge was employed in arc envelope truing. First, an arc-shaped truing profile replicated on wheel profile was defined and analyzed theoretically and then identified by truing experiment; second, the micro-truing ratio describing the mutual wear of a grinding wheel and truer related to the depth of cut was investigated by micro-truing experiment; then the simulation mode of the truing grinding wheel was established by using dispersed profile coordinates of the grinding wheel and truer with reference to the micro-truing ratio; finally, simulation analysis was conducted to trace on-line formation of the trued wheel profile in truing process. It is confirmed that this simulation method is valid and applicable to visualize the sub-micron-scale truing process. It is also found that by decreasing the depth of cut or plunge truing number wheel profile flatness decreases but truing number increases. It is concluded that there exist minimum wheel profile flatness and minimum truing number in a truing process, which can be used to optimize truing parameters for efficient precision truing.     

Study on removal mechanism and removal characters for SiC and fused silica by fixed abrasive diamond pellets

Fixed abrasive is known as a high-efficient and stable technique for fabricating various materials. This work studies the removal mechanism and removal characters of fixed abrasive diamond pellets (FADPs) for lapping SiC and fused silica. The critical sizes of diamond particles changing brittle fracture to ductile removal (with better surface roughness and less damages) are figured out for SiC (9.56 μm) and fused silica (0.53 μm). Multi-distribution models are presented and a mathematical removal model is built based on Preston law. Then, removal characters of FADPs are investigated, including removal profile, removal rate, linear removal, removal stability, surface roughness, subsurface damage etc. Results show that (i) the removal shape is predictable and the removal rate is highly correlative with diamond size, velocity and pressure; (ii) the cumulative removal is temporally linear and removal stability is within ±10%; (iii) SiC can be ductilely lapped by 1.5, 3, 5 μm pellets, with best roughness Ra=4.8 nm and a specular surface for optical metrology; (iv) removal of fused silica is mostly brittle fracture and it can change as semi-ductile by 1.5 μm pellets, with a non-specular or semi-specular surface which is hard for optical metrology; (v) subsurface damage is highly dependent on diamond size, but free to pressure and velocity. Finally, two engineering applications validated its feasibility in uniform or deterministic lapping/polishing of optical mirrors.     

Profile error compensation in ultra-precision grinding of aspheric surfaces with on-machine measurement

A compensation approach based on the on-machine measurement was developed for the grinding of tungsten carbide aspheric moulds. In this approach, the on-machine measurement was employed to eliminate the profile error caused by the re-installation of the workpiece. A new method was proposed to reconstruct the actual ground profile based on the measured profile data. The overall profile error after grinding was obtained by subtracting the target profile from the actual ground profile along normal direction and was then used to generate a new tool path for compensation grinding. The experimental results showed that after three compensation grinding cycles the aspheric surface had a profile accuracy of 177 nm (in PV) with a roughness of 1.7 nm (in R_a). The on-machine measurement was in excellent agreement with the off-machine measurement by commercially available profilometers.     

金刚石砂轮修整新技术的研究

通过一系列试验，研究了适用于MK9025数控光学曲线磨床上金刚石砂轮修整的3种新技术：激光修整法、气中电火花放电修整法、激光辅助机械修整法，实验结果表明3种金刚石砂轮修整技术都是可行的，是很有前途的新技术。     

Wire electrical discharge machining of metal bond diamond wheels for ceramic grinding

The application of cylindrical wire Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) for profile truing of metal bond diamond wheels is presented. Instead of using the mechanical force to break the diamond and matrix in the grinding wheel, the wire EDM process uses the thermal energy or electrical sparks between the wire and rotating grinding wheel to remove the metal bond and form the wheel. The design and manufacture of a corrosion-resistant, precise spindle with the high-electrical current capability for wire EDM truing of grinding wheel is first introduced. Three truing configurations were designed to study effects of wire EDM process parameters and to investigate the level of form accuracy and corner radii achievable by the wire EDM truing of diamond wheels. Results show that the wire EDM process can efficiently generate the μm-scale precision form on the diamond wheels. The wheel, after truing, was used to grind the silicon nitride workpiece. Grinding forces and wheel wear rate were measured. In the beginning of the grinding, high wheel wear rate was identified. The subsequent wheel wear rate was considerably lower and stabilized.     

Effects of ZrC and SiC addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of binderless WC

ZrC-added WC ceramics and SiC-added WC–2 mol% ZrC ceramics were sintered at 1800 °C using a resistance-heated hot-pressing machine. Dense WC ceramics containing 0–1 mol% ZrC and WC–2 mol% ZrC ceramics containing 1–6 mol% SiC were obtained. The reaction products W₂C, ZrO₂ and ZrC-based solid solutions were formed in the ZrC-added WC ceramics during sintering. The relative amount of W₂C reached zero at 2 mol% ZrC, increased in the range of 2–6 mol% ZrC, and decreased again above 6 mol% ZrC. The average WC grain size decreased from 0.49 μm for the WC ceramic to 0.24 μm at 4 mol% ZrC. The SiC addition of 1–2 mol% to the WC–2 mol% ZrC ceramics caused abnormal growth of WC grains. The Vickers hardness of the ZrC-added WC ceramics decreased to 17 GPa at 2 mol% ZrC. The hardness of the SiC-added WC–2 mol% ZrC ceramics increased from 12.4 at 2 mol% SiC to 21.5 GPa at 6 mol% SiC. The fracture toughness of the ZrC-added WC ceramics decreased from 6.2 MPa m^0.5 for the WC ceramic to 5.2 MPa m^0.5 at 4 mol% added ZrC. The fracture toughness of the WC–2 mol% ZrC ceramics with 6 mol% SiC were relatively high at 6.7 MPa m^0.5. The addition of SiC to WC-based ceramics thus improved both hardness and fracture toughness.     

A study on ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting of tungsten carbide

Sintered tungsten carbide (WC) is a versatile metal matrix composite (MMC) material widely used in the tool manufacturing industries. Machining of this material with conventional cutting (CC) method is a real challenge compared to other difficult-to-cut materials. Ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) method is a novel and non-conventional cutting technique which has been successfully applied to machine such intractable materials for the last decade. However, few studies have been conducted on cutting of WC using single point diamond tool (SPDT) applying the UEVC technique. This paper presents an experimental study on UEVC of sintered WC (～15% Co) using polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. Firstly, experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of cutting parameters in the UEVC method in terms of cutting force, flank wear, surface finish while cutting sintered WC. The tests have revealed that the PCD tools in cutting of WC by the UEVC method results in better cutting performance at 4 μm depth of cut (DOC) as compared to both a lower DOC (e.g. 2 μm) and a higher DOC (e.g. 6 or 8 μm). Moreover, the cutting performance improves with the decrease in both the feed rate and cutting speed in the UEVC method like conventional turning (CT) method. A minimum surface roughness, R_a of 0.036 μm has been achieved on an area of about 1257 mm² with the UEVC performance. The CT method has also been employed to compare its cutting performance against the UEVC method. It has been observed that the UEVC method results in better cutting performances in all aspects compared to the CT method. Theoretical analysis on the UEVC method and analysis of the experimental results have been carried out to explain the reasons of better surface finish at 4 μm DOC and better cutting performance of the UEVC method.     

Sliding behavior and wear mechanism of iron and cobalt-based high-temperature alloys against WC and SiC balls

The sliding behaviors of two typical high-temperature alloys of GH2132 and GH605 against WC and SiC balls were investigated at environments from room temperature to 800 °C with a sliding speed of 50 to 125 m/min under a load of 10 to 20 N. The wear performances of high-temperature alloys, WC and SiC balls were rated and their mechanisms were discussed. The four sliding pairs exhibited the markedly different sliding behaviours, in which the GH2132/WC sliding pair had the maximum friction coefficient with 125 m/min under 10 N at room temperature. The variation trends of ball wear rates with the ambient temperature were at odds with those of friction coefficient. The higher friction coefficient did not always lead balls to suffer from the higher wear rate. The maximum worn depth approximated to 250 μm for the GH2132/WC sliding pair with higher friction coefficient. The GH605/WC sliding pair exhibited the lower friction coefficient and lower worn depth of plate. Whether at room temperature or high temperature, the GH605/SiC sliding pair significantly exhibited good wear resistance with a minor damage of ball and plate despite of its higher friction coefficient.     

Temperatures and wear mechanisms in dressing of vitrified bonded grinding wheels

For the first time dressing temperatures were measured directly in the contact zone of grinding and diamond dressing tool. With average temperatures of 400 °C and maximum temperatures of 810 °C without cooling lubricant, the need to cool the dressing tool sufficiently is affirmed. For a diamond dressing tile and form rollers in contact with vitrified bonded corundum and CBN wheels, the main grit wear mechanisms were adhesions instead of breakage or high volumetric splintering. Extensive analyses proved that components of the grinding wheel bonding and abrasives were molten during the dressing process and solidified amorphously. This verifies high peak surface pressures and flash temperatures.     

Development of an ultrathin BD-PCD wheel-tool for in situ microgroove generation on NAK80 mold steel

This study presents the development and application of an ultrathin diamond wheel-tool that combines in situ reverse RWEDM (rotary wire electrical discharge machining) with in situ HSFSG (high-speed and fast-shallow grinding) technique for directly generating precision microgrooves onto NAK80 mold steel. The mechanism for reverse RWEDM involves the brass wire being located beneath the disk workpiece to upwardly machine it by spark erosion. The method is employed for thinning a diamond wheel-blank made of boron-doped polycrystalline composite diamond (BD-PCD). The good electrical conductivity of BD-PCD allows for an ultra-thin grinding-edge of 5-μm thickness to be produced on the wheel blank. The HSFSG technique is used to successfully grind micro-grooves in NAK80 mold steel. The method overcomes the traditional obstacles to using diamond to machine steel by having excellent metal removal rates. Experimental results prove the precision of the microgrooves generated. Nanometric grinding depth results in much less friction allowing for the cold machining conditions and preservation of diamond's sp³ bond structure. The grinding-edge has an extremely low wear rate of just 0.1 μm per 280 mm of grinding. The factors influencing formability, thermal machinability, graphitizing of diamond and the wear process of the BD-PCD wheel-tool are discussed in detail.     

Precision and micro CVD diamond-coated grinding tools

Both for ultra-precision and for micro-machining diamond is used very often as tool material. The reason is the very high dimensional stability of diamond due to its extreme hardness. Diamond is used for two kinds of machining processes: for cutting, like turning, drilling or milling, as well as for abrasive processes, like grinding. Diamond cutting tools can be made with massive diamond (monocrystal, CVD diamond, PCD) or with diamond coatings. Standard diamond abrasive tools are made by bonding diamond monocrystals onto a base body. A new grinding layer technology is presented: chemical vapour-deposited microcrystalline diamond layers have crystallite tips with very sharp edges that can act for grinding processes. Base body materials and coating technology is presented. Application results of grinding experiments show that very high workpiece quality can be reached, e.g. a roughness Ra of 5 nm with glass workpieces. Truing and recoating techniques are discussed for reuse of worn CVD diamond grinding wheels. Micro grinding tools (abrasive pencils, burrs) can be manufactured with the same coating technology. Very small tools with diameters of 50 μm have been made and successfully tested.