OPTIMIZING GRINDING PERFORMANCE BY THE USE OF SOL-GEL ALUMINA ABRASIVE WHEELS AND A NEW TYPE OF AQUEOUS METALWORKING FLUID

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to optimize the grinding process by the use of different types of metalworking fluids and grinding wheels. The four most important variables in the grinding process are the grinding machine, the grinding wheel, the metalworking fluid, and the type of material being ground (the part). This study limited the material ground to two different grades of steel. In most machine shops today, the grinding machine is a fixed component, as modification or replacement is too expensive. However, the metalworking fluid and the grinding wheel are relatively inexpensive and easy components to change. Therefore, this paper will only consider changes in the metalworking fluid and the grinding wheel when attempting to optimize the grinding process. Furthermore, this study will limit these two components to aqueous metalworking fluids and non-superabrasive grinding wheels.