COMPUTER SIMULATION OF BELOW-CENTER AND ABOVE-CENTER CENTERLESS GRINDING

Centerless grinding of ceramic components in the conventional above-center mode under aggressive conditions often results in workpiece spinning. One way to avoid workpiece spinning is to use below-center grinding, but this can lead to problems with part rounding and lobing. The present investigation was undertaken to develop a practical simulation to assist in the selection of acceptable set-up conditions for centerless grinding. From the initial workpiece profile and set-up conditions as input, the simulation predicts workpiece spinning and the progressive change in the workpiece profile for both above-center and below-center grinding. Simulation results for workpiece lobing were found to be consistent with experimental results obtained for below-center grinding of zirconia specimens.