Assessment of spray quality from an external mix nozzle and its impact on SQL grinding performance

Spray quality is the critical factor which decides the efficacy of Small Quantity Lubrication (SQL) technology in a high specific energy involved machining process like grinding. Yet, the understanding about spray quality, the actual process mechanics and its effect on machining performance is inadequate. The present work is an attempt to establish a correlation between the spray input variables, quality of the spray and machining performance of SQL grinding through modelling and experiments. Using computational fluid dynamic techniques, the variation of droplet size, droplet velocity, number of droplets and heat transfer coefficient have been analysed at different input parameters and the computed trends have been verified and validated. CFD modelling of spray indicates that it is possible to produce aerosol medium with high heat dissipation ability at moderately high air pressure and low flow rate. It also shows that any increase in atomising air pressure favourably leads to notable increase in wetting area and also results in substantial enhancement in heat dissipation ability. Reduction of residual stress is thus remarkably good. On the other hand, grinding fluid flow rate, if increased, offers significantly better lubricity and reduces the grinding force which also reduces tensile residual stress. Short spell grinding test results are found to be in good agreement with CFD results.     

Effect of grinding-induced cyclic heating on the hardened layer generation in the plunge grinding of a cylindrical component

This paper discusses the effects of the grinding-induced cyclic heating on the properties of the hardened layer in a plunge cylindrical grinding process on the high strength steel EN26. It was found that a multi-pass grinding brings about a uniform and continuous hardened layer along the circumference of the cylindrical workpiece. An increase of the number of grinding passes, leads to a thicker layer of hardening, a larger compressive residual stress and a deeper plastic deformation zone. Within the plastic deformation zone, the martensitic grains are refined by the thermo-mechanical loading, giving rise to a hardness of 12.5% higher than that from a conventional martensitic transformation. The coupled effects of heat accumulation and wheel wear in the multi-pass grinding are the main causes for the thickening of the hardened layer. A too small infeed per workpiece revolution would result in insufficient grinding heat, and in turn, bring about an undesirable tempered hardened layer and a reduction of its hardness.     

Effects of the cryogenic cooling on the fatigue strength of the AISI 304 stainless steel ground components

For environmental considerations, the substitution of the conventionally used oil-based grinding fluids has nowadays become strongly recommended. Although several alternatives have been proposed, cryogenic cooling by liquid nitrogen is the non-polluting coolant that has been given relatively more attention because of its very low temperature. In this investigation, in order to contribute to developing this promising cooling mode, its beneficial effects on the ground surface integrity of the AISI 304 stainless steel and their consequences on the fatigue lifetime are explored. Results of this investigation show that grinding under cryogenic cooling mode generates surfaces with lower roughness, less defects, higher work hardening and less tensile residual stresses than those obtained on surfaces ground under oil-based grinding fluid. These surface enhancements result into substantial improvements in the fatigue behaviour of components ground under this cooling mode. An increasing rate of almost 15% of the endurance limit at 2 × 10⁶ cycles could be realized. SEM analyses of the fatigue fracture surfaces have shown that the fatigue cracks observed on the specimens ground under cryogenic cooling are shorter (i.e., 30-50 μm) than those generated under oil-based cooling mode (i.e., 150-200 μm). The realized improvements in the surface integrity and in the fatigue behaviour are thought to be related to the reduction of the grinding zone temperature observed under cryogenic cooling, as no significant differences between the grinding force components for both cooling modes have been observed.     

The optimal diamond wheels for grinding diamond tools

Grinding is the most suitable process for manufacturing good quality diamond tools. In this paper, diamond wheels have been studied. From the grinding of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) insets, the effects of certain factors such as the bonding material, the grit size and structure of a diamond wheel have been investigated. It is concluded that vitrified bond diamond wheels are the most suitable for grinding PCDs and the recommended grit size is mesh number 1000, which can get a good surface quality within an appropriate time. The wheel structure is another important factor. Rougher wheels (mesh #800, #1000) with the softer grade scale P yield a higher material removal rate (MRR) than scale Q. However, a finer wheel (mesh #1200) needs a tougher structure to promote its grinding ability and to have a higher MRR.     

一种微粉碎新设备——离心碎磨一体机

介绍一种离心碎磨一体机的工作原理、构造和特点 ,分析了碎磨机理及应用前景     

基于AE的砂轮智能修整技术研究

本文基于声发射(AE,Acoustic Emission)研究了高精度磨削过程中砂轮的在线智能修整技术。在分析砂轮磨损和修整机理的基础上探讨了声发射技术在砂轮磨损检测中的应用,着重研究了砂轮修整过程中砂轮修整进给量的控制、运动的控制、AE在线智能修整系统的流程和砂轮在线智能补偿的分析。     

Surface characterization of 6H-SiC (0001) substrates in indentation and abrasive machining

Surface characterization of 6H-SiC (0001) substrates in indentation and abrasive machining was carried out to investigate microfracture, residual damage, and surface roughness associated with material removal and surface generation. Brittle versus plastic deformation was studied using Vickers indention and nano-indentation. To characterize the abrasive machining response, the 6H-SiC (0001) substrates were ground using diamond wheels with grit sizes of 25, 15 and 7 μm, and then polished with diamond suspensions of 3 and 0.05 μm. It is found that in indentation, there was a scale effect for brittle versus plastic deformation in 6H-SiC substrates. Also, in grinding, the scales of fracture and surface roughness of the substrates decreased with a decrease in diamond grit size. However, in polishing, a reduction in grit size of diamond suspensions gave no significant improvement in surface roughness. Furthermore, the results showed that fracture-free 6H-SiC (0001) surfaces were generated in polishing with the existence of the residual crystal defects, which were associated with the origin of defects in single crystal growth.     

Modelling of the mist formation in a segmented grinding wheel system

It has been found that using a segmented grinding wheel with a fluid chamber can significantly minimise the quantity of coolant while improving the ground surface integrity. The present investigation aims to explore the fluid flow mechanism in such a wheel system. To this end, the Weber theory for Newtonian jet instability was applied to quantitatively determine the contribution of coolant flow rate to mist and ligament modes. A semi-analytical model was then developed to predict the mist flow rate by taking into account both the grinding parameters and fluid properties. It was shown that the model prediction was in good agreement with experimental measurements. Because of the comprehensive integration of variables in the formulation, the model provides a good fundamental understanding of the mist formation and offers a practical guideline for the selection and use coolant in minimising the mist flow rate.     

Assessment of vitrified CBN wheels for precision grinding

Methods of measuring topographical features of grinding wheels are reviewed. Each technique has advantages and limitations for resolution, measuring depth, ease of application, data analysis and interpretation. Results obtained vary according to the method and instrument employed. Advantages and difficulties experienced with different techniques are discussed. Different replication techniques and materials are compared and suggestions made. A set of parameters that describe the wheel and grain characteristics is defined. Experimental studies with grinding wheels having different structures are carried out in terms of observations and measurements of changes in wheel topography. Experimental results are analysed and discussed in relation to theoretical understanding of abrasive wear and loading.     

Laser Dressing of Metal Bonded Diamond Wheel

In this study, a laser beam is used as a non-contact thermal dressing tool for a bronze bonded diamond wheel. The pulsed-Nd:YAG laser beam is irradiated on the wheel surface and the bond material partially removed by laser irradiation only. In order to efficiently remove the bond material, it is necessary to direct an air jet on the spot irradiated by the laser so as to blow away the molten binder before it solidifies again. Less damage of diamond particles such as micro-cracks or graphitization occurs. In grinding with a laser-dressed wheel, the grinding forces are almost the same as those for a conventionally dressed wheel. Consequently, effective laser dressing can be expected with the associated dressing conditions.