Modelling and simulation of an automatic grinding system using a hand grinder

Abstract

A grinding process model for an automatic grinding system with grinding force control is developed in this paper. This grinding system utilises an electric hand grinder, driven by a CNC machine centre and a force sensor for force measurement. This model includes compliance of the grinding system and is initially represented by a series of springs. The stiffness of each component is estimated in this study and it is found that the model may be simplified into a single spring-mass system. A corresponding PID controller is designed for the purpose of grinding force control, which calculates the appropriate CNC spindle displacement according to the force measured by the force sensor. Computer simulation results show that the system settling time is less than 0.25 s.