Grinding Wheel: Uses, Applications and Its Types

Grinding is typically defined as the process of utilizing solid abrasive wheels to shape or finish material. The grinding process is done using a tool named as a grinding wheel. The grinding wheel is composed of an abrasive compound and is used for abrasive machining operations.

What are the types of grinding wheels?

Grinding wheels are available in a spread of shapes and sizes, and every wheel feature has a different purpose. Some grinding wheel sharpens and cut, while others polish and smooth. 

The wheel shape you select should match the sort of application. 

Straight Grinding Wheels

It is the most basic type of grinding wheel available in workshops across the planet. It is most ordinarily used to sharpen tools like chisels and lawnmower blades. You almost certainly have one yourself reception. 

Large Diameter Grinding Wheels

Large diameter wheels are somewhat similar to straight wheels, but they're much more extensive. These wide surfaced wheels tyrannize the surface of round objects like carbide blanks. Such grinding wheels are also used for OD grinding, especially in the Oil and Thermal spray Industry. These wheels are manufactured up to 36 inches.

Grinding Cup Wheel

One of the foremost familiar applications of Grinding Cup Wheels is to shine stone or concrete. But with a little enough grit, cup wheels can combat delicate jobs like paint and adhesive removal. 

Cup wheels are often used for re-sharpening and finishing for a few applications counting on abrasive size. 

Grinding Dish Wheel

Dish grinding wheels appear as if cup wheels but are shallow and have a thinner surface edge. Their narrow shape allows them to suit into tight crevices a cup wheel would never be ready to reach. they're otherwise used for an equivalent application as a cup wheel. 

Segmented Emery wheel

Segmented wheels are often manufactured in various styles; 6A2, 1A1, 2A2T. The main difference for this wheel is that the abrasive sections are segmented and applied to the wheel rather than having an endless abrasive rim. ASA offers the subsequent shapes-Hexagon, Pellets, and Pie segments. Contact ASA to debate in additional detail.

When used with cooling or lubricating fluids, these grinders remove large amounts of a fabric fast without damaging your work's surface. Each segment creates a canal that uses force to hold the fluids where it's most needed. 

Cutting Face Emery wheel

Cutting face grinding wheels traverse objects by grinding away material. The width of the grinding edge is typically very narrow and takes tons off directly. 

What are the Advantages of the Grinding Wheel?

Grinding's advantages aren't found in the other cutting process apart from the more recently developed methods of spark and chemical machining. These advantages are as follows:

• It can cut Hardened steel.
• Extremely smooth finishing
• The work is often finished to accurate dimensions during a comparatively short time.
• Very little pressure is required. It allows the utilization of grinding on very light work and enables magnetic chucks to hold the job.

Although it forms an integral part of modern production, grinding remains an inexact science, the more so since sufficient care isn't always taken in using and Selecting a right Grinding Wheel for the work.

Function of the Grinding Wheel

For the rapid removal of fabric for the smooth finish of the surface, like a fettling operation, a coarse-grained, open structure is desirable. Finish depends mostly on the dimensions of grit utilized in the grinding wheel. Still, on precision grinders on which proper diamond truing and dressing devices are available, it's possible to get a subtle finish without sacrificing production.

• Therefore, the more severe the machine, the better its condition, the softer the wheel for the work.
• Wheel speed is another critical factor influencing grit and grade selection, as a rigid wheel is often made to seem soft by running it very slowly. It's usually best to run a grinding wheel at the manufacturer's recommended speed.

Grinding Wheel Grade

The term "grade" of a grinding wheel ranks the tenacity or hardness with which the bond holds the cutting points of abrasive grains.

The grade is indicated by bonds and processes by a letter of the English alphabet altogether.

A denoting the softest and, therefore, the letter Z indicating the toughest grade. A Cutting wheel from which the abrasive grains can easily be dislodged is named soft whereas

The one which holds the grains more securely is named hard.

How long does a grinding wheel last?

The lifespan of a grinding wheel depends on its usability. It might last from a day to a few years. Although, it is important to replace the wheel after a specific time interval to avoid any further damage.

According to the ”rule of thumb”, the wheel needs to be discarded when you are 1” away from the recess.

For a longer and better life of grinding wheels, store it in dry areas. Exposure to excessive temperature changes might affect the bond strength.