Plane surface grinding with application of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL)

Abstract

Industry is continuously seeking to improve technologies in order to produce items of the highest standards of durability and quality whilst at the lowest possible cost. Moreover, climate change issues have led to a greater focus on greener manufacturing methods. This has posed a challenge to researchers as they try to invent new technologies or further develop existing ones. The Minimum Quantity Lubrication delivery method is one such technology. As the abrasive material removal process is extremely demanding in terms of thermal stability it consumes large amounts of coolants. There have been many attempts to reduce the amounts of fluids used. The MQL fluid delivery technique reduces fluid usage significantly from litres per minute to millilitres per hour. Whilst some researchers have tried to implement the MQL technique in the grinding process, there is still research to be done to fully understand MQL in the grinding process. This study has aimed to improve this understanding through comparative study and the collecting of data for grinding forces (and as a result their ratio), surface roughness and grinding arc temperatures. Three delivery methods were employed - conventional flood cooling, dry grinding and MQL delivery system. Taguchi method was used in respect to the comparison of the effects of the three delivery methods. MQL was found to perform in a very similar manner to conventional delivery, in terms of specific material removal rate and forces. In some specific conditions MQL achieved better results. Furthermore, good results for surface roughness and grinding temperature were obtained in an attempt to create an applicable regime table for MQL in grinding.