How does centerless grinding machine work?

Do you need to understand the basics behind centerless grinding machines? Mainly how it works? It seems quite difficult to understand how to make the parts close to a cylinder overall through this machine’s works. Luckily, the answers are simple and easy. You will know the operation principle of centerless grinding machines by this article.

Centerless grinding is an interesting and complex way of working that leaves many people scratching their heads in confusion. Some knowledge and useful advice provided by experienced professionals will help you understand its essence. Finally, helping you to know if this processing method is applicable for your factories.

At CCMS Precision, we will list everything you need to know about centerless grinding machines. From its applications and benefits. If you are ready, please read this article if this metalworking method is suitable for you!

What is centerless grinding?

Centerless grinding is an essential process involving a grinding wheel and a guiding wheel, and the working piece is in the middle. The grinding wheel and guide wheel will move towards the middle. Once they reach the appropriate position, grinding processing can be carried out on the workpiece. The positions of the full-length grinding wheel and the guide wheel are both pre-adjusted, and then grinding is carried out (this is through-type grinding). There is another type where the grinding wheel moves to a fixed position without moving, and only the guide wheel moves (this is plunge grinding).

There are three types of centerless grinding: feed grinding, end-feed grinding, and through-feed grinding. Feed centerless grinding is an ideal application. Symmetrical structure and precise diameter are of vital importance.

What is Through-Feed Grinding?

Through-feed grinding, also known as through-feed centerless grinding, is an important type of centerless external grinding process and an efficient method for mass production of cylindrical parts with uniform diameters. Its core feature is that the workpiece does not require center clamping or positioning; instead, it is supported by three points: the grinding wheel, the regulating wheel, and the workrest. The workpiece smoothly enters the grinding area from one side of the machine tool, completes rotation and grinding under the coordinated action of the regulating wheel and the grinding wheel, and finally exits continuously from the other side of the machine tool, achieving uninterrupted continuous processing.

Among them, the grinding wheel is mainly responsible for removing excess material from the workpiece surface at high speed to ensure machining accuracy and surface roughness; the regulating wheel is inclined at a small angle (usually 1°–6°) and generates axial thrust through low-speed rotation, driving the workpiece to rotate while making axial feed movement; the workrest plays a role in stably supporting the workpiece to avoid bending deformation of slender workpieces during processing.

This grinding method not only has extremely high processing efficiency, suitable for mass automated production, but also features good processing stability, which can effectively ensure the roundness, straightness and dimensional consistency of the workpiece. It is widely used in the processing of various cylindrical parts with uniform diameters, such as slender round bars, needles, piston rods, shafts, and short parts without center holes.

Comparison Table of Different Grinding Methods

What Products Are Suitable for Processing on Centerless Grinding Machines?

Centerless grinding machines, with the advantages of no need for center clamping, stable machining accuracy and high efficiency, are widely used in the processing of various cylindrical parts with uniform diameters, especially suitable for mass production scenarios. Among them, through-feed centerless grinding, as the most commonly used type, is mainly used for the processing of slender round bars, needles, piston rods and other parts. These parts mostly require high dimensional consistency and low surface roughness. Centerless grinding can realize continuous automatic processing, effectively avoid clamping deformation of slender parts, and greatly improve production efficiency.

End-feed centerless grinding is suitable for the processing of short parts with steps and blind holes, such as small shafts, shouldered pins and other cylindrical parts with complex shapes. Since these parts cannot be continuously through-ground, end-feed grinding is performed after axial positioning, which not only ensures the dimensional accuracy of the step position, but also avoids damage to the part surface caused by clamping, adapting to the processing needs of small and medium batches and complex shapes.

Plunge centerless grinding is mainly used for the processing of non-uniform diameter cylindrical parts, including spherical surfaces, conical surfaces, special-shaped outer circles and other special-shaped parts, such as bearing balls, conical shafts, special-shaped pins, etc. Through its grinding method of radial feed without axial movement, it can accurately control the size and shape accuracy of the special-shaped surface, meet the processing requirements of parts with special structures, and adapt to the production of medium-batch, high-precision special-shaped parts.

Choosing Centerless Grinding Machines For Your Factory’s Projects

Choosing a reliable manufacturer of centerless grinding machines is a very important and energy-consuming matter. Fortunately, now Ningbo CCMS Precision has emerged, making your choices much simpler! We offer you the best service and the highest-quality machines!

We produce 12-series and 18-series centerless grinding machines, including both manual and CNC machines. CNC machines are available in one-axis, three-axis, and five-axis configurations and can also be customized. Our machines can generally achieve an outer diameter tolerance of +/-0.0001 mm, true roundness of +/-0.001 mm, and feed accuracy of +/-0.0003 mm. If you would like to know more, please contact us immediately. Our engineers will offer you the most professional assistance and provide you with a free quotation!