Setup for the Surface Grinder 241

abrasive

A material consisting of hard particles used to wear away or remove workpiece material. Abrasives are bonded in the shape of a wheel for grinding operations.

adapter plate

A flat steel and brass fixture used to improve the hold on thinner workpieces. Adapter plates optimize the magnetism that flows through the workpiece.

aluminum

A silvery white, light-weight metal. Aluminum is non-magnetic but a good conductor of electrical and thermal energy.

aluminum oxide

A compound made from bauxite and other additives that is commonly used as an abrasive material. Aluminum oxide is a conventional abrasive.

American National Standards Institute

ANSI. A nonprofit organization that establishes standards and guidelines for several industries. The American National Standards Institute sets specific safety guidelines for the use of grinding wheels to be followed by all manufacturers and machine operators.

ANSI B7.1

"Safety Requirements for the Use, Care and Protection of Abrasive Wheels." Industry safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute. ANSI B7.1 includes guidelines for wheel speeds, wheel mounting, and safety guards.

balancing

The process of ensuring that a grinding wheel has equal weight across the wheel. A wheel that is out of balance negatively affects grinding operations.

Blanchard grinders

A type of surface grinder that has a vertical spindle and rotary machine table. Blanchard grinders’ spindle and table configuration allows for grinding multiple workpieces uniformly and continuously.

bonding material

The adhesive material in grinding wheels that holds the abrasive grains together. Bonding materials can be vitrified, organic, and resinoid.

brittle

The condition of a material with the tendency to break when drawn, stretched, or formed. Brittle materials are hard and break away easily.

burrs

A sharp projection left by a cutting tool after a cutting operation. Burrs must be removed to ensure precise grinding.

cast iron

A metal consisting of iron, over 2.11% carbon, and 1 to 3% silicon. Cast irons will normally contain trace amounts of other elements.

chips

Pieces of metal that are removed from a workpiece when a tool cuts or grinds the metal. Small chips are removed by the grinding wheel’s abrasive grains during grinding.

clamps

A workholding device that maintains the position of a workpiece by holding it in place. Clamps commonly provide additional locating support to other workholding devices used for surface grinding.

coarse

An abrasive tool or set of abrasive grains that have large-sized grains. Coarse grains produce the roughest surface finish.

coils

Multiple loops of conducting wire used to create a magnetic field when current is passed through it. This magnetic field is used to energize a device.

conductive

Allowing the easy flow of electricity. Most conductive materials are metal.

creep feed grinding

A grinding method in which the depth of cut is increased while the feed rate is decreased. Creep feed grinding is used for large amounts of material removal.

cubic boron nitride

CBN. A cutting tool material with hardness that is second only to diamond. Cubic boron nitride tools are very effective but also very expensive.

cup wheel

A grinding wheel that is shaped like a cup or a bowl. Cup wheels may have straight or flared sides.

demagnetism

Elimination of a material’s magnetism. To demagnitize a material, disrupt the regular pattern of magnetic polarity.

depth of cut

The amount of penetration a grinding wheel makes, or the distance from the uncut surface to the machined surface. In surface grinding, depth of cut refers to how far a grinding wheel grinds into the workpiece.

diamond

The hardest known substance. Diamond is both a naturally occurring and manufactured superabrasive.

direct current

Electrical charge that flows in one direction. Direct current powers the electromagnetic chuck.

dressing

Removing swarf, dull grains, and bonding material from a grinding wheel by fracturing away the wheel surface. Dressing also sharpens the wheel.

electromagnetic chuck

A magnetic workholding device with a direct current power source that contains conductive coils. When turned on, the electromagnetic chuck can hold a variety of workpieces but is inactive when off.

electromagnets

A powerful magnet that gains an attractive force only when current passes through it. Electromagnets are very powerful.

ferrous

A metal that contains iron. Ferrous materials can be held by magnetism, while nonferrous materials cannot.

fine

An abrasive tool or set of abrasive grains that have small-sized grains. Fine grains produce tight tolerances and surface finishes.

fixtures

A customized workholding device that is used to position a workpiece. Fixtures may require additional workholding devices to hold the workpiece securely in place.

grain size

The size of the abrasive grains that compose a grinding wheel. Grain sizes help to determine the tolerance and surface finish that the wheel can create.

grains

A small, hard particle or crystal of abrasive material. Abrasive grains are bonded together to create grinding wheels and other abrasive tools.

grinding variables

The measureable rate of movement of a cutting tool or workpiece. Grinding variables include wheel speed, table feed, and depth of cut.

grinding variables

The measureable rate of movement of a grinding wheel or workpiece. Grinding variables for surface grinding include wheel speed, table feed, and depth of cut.

laminated V-block

A magnetic workholding component with a fixed, unchangeable V-shaped groove down the middle of its body. Laminated V-blocks are designed to hold round, square, or rectangular workpieces.

magna-lock clamps

A two-piece magnetic clamping system with flexible fingers designed to hold non-magnetic or very small workpieces during grinding. Magna-lock clamps are also known as magna-vise clamps.

magna-vise clamps

A two-piece magnetic clamping system with flexible fingers designed to hold non-magnetic or very small workpieces during grinding. Magna-vise clamps are also known as magna-lock clamps.

magnetic chuck

A device that uses magnetism to support, locate, and hold a workpiece. The magnetic chuck is a common workholding device on the surface grinder.

magnetic chuck block

A magnetic fixture that holds oddly shaped workpieces on the magnetic chuck. Magnetic chuck blocks optimize magnetism and provide physical support.

magnetic field

The area in and around a magnet in which a magnetic force exists. Magnetic fields exhibit the power of attraction and repulsion.

magnetic flux

The force that surrounds a magnet and exhibits the powers of attraction and repulsion. Magnetic flux is described as imaginary lines of force that exit the magnet’s north pole and return to its south pole.

magnetic parallels

A workholding device used to extend the magnetic field of a magnetic chuck to hold a workpiece. Magnetic parallels can support warped or otherwise oddly shaped workpieces that would otherwise flatten out when magnetically chucked.

magnetic V-block

A magnetic workholding component with a V-shaped groove down the middle of its body that can be changed and set to various angles. Magnetic V-blocks are designed for grinding angles and to hold round, square, or rectangular workpieces.

magnetism

The power of attraction and repulsion that exists in materials. Magnetism most often occurs between metals.

magnetizes

To make a material magnetic or attractive to other metals. Magnetized materials can be held in place by magnetic workholding devices.

magnets

A metallic object or substance that possesses a force that attracts or repels other metals. Magnets attract opposite charges and repel like charges.

meters per minute

m/min. A measurement of feed that indicates how many meters the cutting tool or workpiece has traveled in one minute. Meters per minute is a metric measurement.

oilstone

A fine-grained sharpening device that is typically lubricated with oil. Oilstones are used to remove minor abnormalities from workpieces and workholding devices.

organic bonds

An abrasive bonding material derived from a naturally occurring material that contains carbon. Organic bonds tend to soften with heating.

parallel

Two lines or axes that are equidistant from one another at all points. Parallel lines do not intersect.

periphery

The perimeter, or the outer edge, of an object such as a tool or workpiece. Many types of grinding wheels cut with their periphery.

permanent magnetic chuck

A magnetic workholding device that contains a series of magnetic inserts arranged side by side within a grid of conductive material. Permanent magnetic chucks generate a magnetic field to hold a workpiece in place.

personal protective equipment

PPE. Safety equipment that workers wear or use to prevent injury in the workplace. Personal protective equipment includes safety glasses.

polarity

Having two oppositely charged poles, one positive and one negative. Polarity determines the direction in which current flows.

poles

Opposite ends of an axis. Poles also refer to the opposite ends of a magnet.

profile

A shape or physical feature of a part created by a specialized grinding wheel edge. Profiles may be unique, non-standard shapes.

recessed wheel

An abrasive wheel that resembles a flat disc with a depressed area surrounding the wheel center. Recessed wheels are wider at their periphery than their center.

residual magnetism

The attractive force that exists in an object or substance after it has been removed from a magnetic field. Residual magnetism may occur with a workpiece when using permanent magnetic chucks.

resin

An organic bonding material used to hold abrasive grains to the backing of abrasive belts and wheels. Resins are similar to the base material of plastics.

resinoid bonds

An organic bonding material used in grinding tools that offers rapid stock removal and fine finishes. Resinoid bonds are made from synthetic resins.

rigid

The condition of a workpiece, machine, or machine setup characterized as stiff and immovable. Rigid machine components are fixed securely in place.

ring test

A manual test used to detect damage in bonded grinding wheels. Ring tests produce a ringing sound when tapping an undamaged wheel with a tool.

rubber

An organic bond used to hold abrasive grains together in grinding wheels. Rubber offers smooth grinding action and fine finishing.

safety glasses

Protective eyewear worn during surface grinder operation. Safety glasses can prevent potential eye injury caused by material flying off the grinding wheel or work surface at high speed.

setup

All the necessary preparation of tooling and fixturing that occurs on a machine before a grinding operation can be executed. Setup includes preparing machines, tools, and materials.

shim

A thin or tapered component used to support a workpiece by filling small gaps or abnormal shapes. Shims are often used to make a workpiece level or to increase workpiece stability.

silicon carbide

A hard, brittle material used as a conventional abrasive. Silicon carbide grinding wheels are hard and sharp, and the grains break away easily.

slot

A narrow channel on the surface of an object. Slots are thin, recessed features cut into the surface of a workpiece by a specially shaped grinding wheel.

steel

A ferrous metal consisting of iron and carbon, usually with small amounts of manganese, phosphors, sulphur, and silicon. Steels are the most common metals used in manufacturing.

straight wheel

A common type of abrasive tool used in grinding and cutoff operations. Straight wheels generally appear as flat discs.

superabrasive

A relatively expensive but effective material possessing superior hardness and abrasion resistance. Superabrasives include cubic boron nitride (CBN) and diamond.

surface feet per minute

sfm. A measurement of speed that is a direct function of the workpiece or tool diameter and its rate of rotation. Surface feet per minute measures the number of feet that a location on the grinding wheel travels in one minute.

surface finishes

The smoothness of a surface after it has been ground. Surface finish is the complete, desired surface.

surface grinding

A common grinding process that uses a rotating grinding wheel to remove precise amounts of material from a flat workpiece surface. Surface grinding can be one part, often the last, of a sequence of machining operations.

swarf

The gritty combination of chips, abrasive grains, residual coolant, and worn bonding material produced during grinding processes. Swarf can clog a grinding wheel and cause it to function improperly.

synthetic

Manufactured or produced through deliberate processes rather than a natural origin. Synthetic materials are artificial or human-made.

table feed

The feed of the workpiece past the grinding wheel, which is based on the worktable’s rate of movement. Table feed is also known as work feed.

taper

An angular surface cut into a workpiece. Tapers on flat or rectangular workpieces are gradual changes from a larger height to a smaller height at a constant slope or incline.

tolerances

An acceptable deviation from a given dimension or geometry. Tolerances indicate the allowable difference between a physical feature and its intended design.

truing

To restore a grinding wheel to its original, intended shape. Truing is also a method of wheel balancing.

vacuum chuck

A workholding device that holds a workpiece to its surface through air pressure. Vacuum chucks can be used for non-magnetic workpieces during surface grinding.

vises

A workholding device with one fixed jaw and one moveable jaw. Vises are often used to hold simple rectangular or cubic workpieces on a surface grinder.

vitrified bonds

A clay or ceramic bond characterized by its strength, rigidity, and resistance to oils, water, and temperature changes. Vitrified bonds have qualities similar to glass.

wheel guard

A protective covering that bolts in place over a grinding wheel. Wheel guards protect operators from being struck by broken wheel fragments.

wheel segments

A smaller section or portion of a whole wheel. Wheel segments are typically used on surface grinders with rotary tables, such as Blanchard grinders.

wheel speed

The rate at which the grinding wheel rotates at the point of contact with the workpiece. Wheel speed depends upon the spindle speed and wheel size.

work feed

The feed of the workpiece past the grinding wheel, which is based on the worktable’s rate of movement. Work feed is also known as table feed.

workholding

A device used to support, locate, and hold a workpiece. Workholding devices commonly used in surface grinding include the magnetic chuck and various clamps.