An experimental investigation of rotary diamond truing and dressing of vitreous bond wheels for ceramic grinding

Abstract

Experiments of rotary diamond truing and dressing of vitreous bond grinding wheels were conducted to investigate the effects of feed, speed ratio, and overlap ratio on cylindrical grinding of zirconia. The applications of ceramic engine components with complex and precise form and the lack of technology for precision truing of diamond grinding wheels have driven the need to study the use of vitreous bond CBN and SiC wheels for form grinding of ceramics. Truing and grinding forces and the roundness and surface finish of ground zirconia parts were measured. By varying truing process parameters, a wide range of surface finish and roundness could be achieved. Experimental results showed that wheels trued at speed ratio below −1.0 could grind parts with fine surface finish and good roundness. The analysis of truing and grinding results showed the trend of increasing grinding force at higher specific truing energy and better surface finish at higher grinding force. The lack of speed control of the direct–drive, variable–speed truing spindle was observed and its effect on the reverse of direction of truing force at positive speed ratios was studied.