In modern manufacturing, the use of Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) grinding wheels is becoming increasingly prevalent due to their exceptional hardness and wear resistance. CBN grinding wheels are widely used in surface grinders for precision machining of hard materials. However, to maintain the efficiency and precision of CBN wheels, regular dressing is essential. This article discusses the advantages of dressing CBN grinding wheels, the methods used, and important precautions to consider.
Advantages of Dressing CBN Grinding Wheels
1.Maintaining Sharpness: Dressing removes dull grains and exposes sharp, fresh grains, ensuring the grinding wheel maintains its cutting ability. This is crucial for maintaining the surface finish and dimensional accuracy of the workpiece.
2.Preventing Loading and Glazing: Over time, the grinding wheel can become loaded with material from the workpiece, leading to glazing—a condition where the wheel’s surface becomes smooth and loses its cutting efficiency. Dressing removes these deposits, restoring the wheel's effectiveness.
3.Reducing Heat Generation: A properly dressed grinding wheel reduces friction and heat generation during the grinding process. This is especially important when working with heat-sensitive materials, as excessive heat can cause thermal damage to the workpiece.
4.Enhancing Surface Finish: Regular dressing helps maintain a consistent surface finish on the workpiece. This is particularly important in high-precision applications where surface quality is critical.
5.Extending Wheel Life: By maintaining the wheel's cutting ability and preventing excessive wear, dressing can significantly extend the life of a CBN grinding wheel, reducing overall tooling costs.
Methods of Dressing CBN Grinding Wheels
1.Single-Point Diamond Dressing: This is the most common method, where a single-point diamond dresser is used to dress the wheel. The dresser is fed across the wheel’s surface, removing a small layer and exposing fresh abrasive grains. This method is suitable for simple and light dressing tasks.
2.Rotary Diamond Dressing: This method involves a rotating diamond tool that dresses the grinding wheel. It is more efficient and precise than single-point dressing, making it ideal for complex profiles and heavy-duty dressing tasks.
3.Electroplated Diamond Roll Dressing: This method uses a diamond-coated roll to dress the wheel. It offers high precision and is suitable for dressing CBN wheels used in high-precision applications.
4.Laser Dressing: Although less common, laser dressing is a non-contact method that uses a laser to remove material from the grinding wheel’s surface. It is highly precise and ideal for intricate dressing tasks.
Precautions When Dressing CBN Grinding Wheels With Flat Surface Grinding Machine
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1.Proper Dressing Speed: Ensure that the dressing speed is appropriately set for the wheel and dressing tool. Too high or too low a speed can lead to uneven dressing and affect the grinding performance.
2.Avoid Excessive Material Removal: Removing too much material during dressing can shorten the life of the grinding wheel. It’s essential to remove just enough material to restore the wheel’s sharpness without wasting abrasive.
3.Use the Correct Dressing Tool: The choice of dressing tool (e.g., single-point diamond, rotary diamond dresser) should match the type of CBN wheel and the dressing requirements. Using an inappropriate tool can damage the wheel.
4.Ensure Proper Alignment: The dresser must be properly aligned with the grinding wheel to ensure uniform dressing. Misalignment can lead to an uneven wheel surface, resulting in poor grinding performance.
5.Regular Inspection: After dressing, inspect the grinding wheel for any signs of damage or irregularities. This helps ensure that the wheel is in optimal condition before resuming operation.
Conclusion
Dressing CBN grinding wheels on surface grinders is a crucial process that ensures the longevity and performance of the wheels. By understanding the advantages, methods, and precautions associated with dressing, operators can maintain the efficiency of their grinding operations, achieve high-quality surface finishes, and reduce tooling costs. Proper dressing techniques are essential for maximizing the benefits of CBN grinding wheels in precision machining applications.
Customer Case of Dressing CBN Grinding Wheels with Flat Surface Grinding Machine
1. Utilizing Aluminum oxide or silicon carbide grinding wheel. Grit 80# with hardness M.
2. Fixing the grinding wheel in position on the workpiece as shown in the video
3. Using CBN or diamond grinding wheel for grinding and the workbench needs to move not only forward and backward but also left and right.
4. Rough dressing can 0.02-0.03mm per pass.
