Optimization of the dressing operation using load cells and the Taguchi method in the centerless grinding process

Abstract

The finishing processes of industrial components use grinding due to the elevated quality generated by this method. Centerless grinding is among the main manufacturing processes due to its high flexibility, accuracy, and great volume of production that is necessary in modern industry. However, the dressing operation has been a pronounced bottleneck in the centerless grinding process due to the time lost to make the corrections in the grinding wheel. This work presents an optimization of the dressing operation in centerless grinding using load cells and the Taguchi method. The experimental tests were carried out on the shop floor of a manufacturer of shock absorbers. The input parameters were the depth of dressing, the feed rate of dressing, the diameter of the grinding wheel, and the speed of the regulating wheel. The responses were the surface roughness, the roundness error, and the dressing force. The results show that the dressing time was reduced, generating an increase in machine productivity, the surface roughness of the work pieces was reduced with an improvement in quality, and the dressing force was proportional to the depth of dressing.