Centerless cylindrical grinding is a machining process for cutting cylindrical external surfaces.
The workpieces are not clamped between centers or in a chuck, but are guided by the grinding wheel (blue, right in the picture), the regulating wheel (brown, left in the picture), and the guide rail (below the workpiece).
The grinding wheel and regulating wheel can be moved in the direction of the workpiece. Ideally, this is done on independent slides so that the center of the workpiece remains horizontally unchanged. Height adjustment of the guide rail via a servo axis, as is the case with the Ebert C-3070, for example, is optimal.
The slowly rotating control disc causes the workpiece to rotate at a speed corresponding to its own speed. The grinding wheel rotates significantly faster and removes the material. The grinding wheel, control disc, and workpiece all run in sync with each other.
There are basically two types of centerless cylindrical grinding:
pass-through loops
In through-feed grinding, the control wheel is significantly inclined and not only rotates the workpiece, but also feeds it axially through the machine. A continuous cylindrical contour is produced on a single workpiece or a series of workpieces. If bar stock is to be machined, a set of two bar tables is required for workpiece feed and removal, which guide the workpiece and set it in rotation outside the centerless cylindrical grinding machine. Short parts can be fed using step conveyors, belt conveyors, vibratory conveyors, etc.
plunge-cut grinding wheels
In plunge grinding, the control wheel rotates the workpiece without any axial movement. The grinding wheel then performs the plunge grinding movement toward the workpiece and creates the negative of its contour in the workpiece. This allows even more complex, non-cylindrical contours to be created. The process is more flexible, but generally also slower and usually requires complex workpiece loading devices.
More interesting facts about centreless cylindrical grinding
Centerless grinding and centerless grinding machines
Centerless cylindrical grinding and centerless cylindrical grinding machines in detail 2
Für das Spitzenlos-Rundschleifen sind präzise aufeinander abgestimmte Materialien entscheidend
Centerless cylindrical grinding and centerless cylindrical grinding machines in detail 1
The right combination of materials and components ensures the best grinding results.