Comprehensive investigations into the force and thermal characteristics of belt grinding Inconel 718 under constant normal forces

Abstract

Belt grinding is an efficient and widely used method for machining precise high-strength components made from the superalloy Inconel 718. By integrating robots with a force sensor, normal forces can be kept to achieve high-accuracy grinding under varying processing conditions. However, the force and thermal characteristics of belt grinding Inconel 718 under constant normal forces, which significantly affect the quality of ground workpieces, are still unclear. In this study, four characteristics including grinding effects, dynamic grinding forces and force ratios, specific grinding energy as well as dynamic grinding temperature distributions, are comprehensively investigated. The grinding effects are determined by the single-grain scratch test, and the material springback mechanisms are revealed. The influences of grinding parameters on grinding forces, specific grinding energies and grinding temperatures are analyzed in detail. Additionally, a new finite element model is established to obtain the dynamic temperature distributions of grinding surfaces. This study aims to improve understanding of the process of constant-force belt grinding Inconel 718 and lays foundations for further research on grinding mechanisms and modeling.