Development of a Desktop Machine Tool for Mirror Surface Grinding

Abstract

This paper is a report on the process of developing a desktop machine tool to be used in “Micro Workshops.” It incorporates emerging technologies for the production of “micro parts and components” as a newMonotsukuriThe resultant desktop machine tool was developed after designing structures which simultaneously meet both requirements of lighter weight and sufficient rigidity and which prove to be capable of producing mirror quality finish using the electrolytic in-process dressing (ELID) grinding .system.In order to verify the successful achievement of mirror surface grinding, a fine grain (#8000) abrasive grinding wheel used in the ELID grinding system was employed to generate an aspherical surface by cross grinding technique after completion of development on the aforementioned simultaneous achievement of lightness and rigidity for mainframe structure of the machine.The grinding wheels used in this experiment were a grinding wheel of #1200 diamond abrasive grain bonded with cast iron and another type of grinding wheel of #8000 cerium oxide abrasive grain bonded with metal resin.As the basic experiment, a silica-glass workpiece was ground and finished using the cross-grinding technique. The result showed that stable grinding and finishing operations can be achieved without burning during grinding even by using a very fine abrasive grain of #8000 or higher.