How to grinding carbide with surface grinder?

Grinding carbide, particularly tungsten carbide, with a surface grinder requires precise techniques and a deep understanding of material properties and machining tools. This guide provides a comprehensive look into the methodologies and techniques essential for efficiently using a surface grinder to shape and refine tungsten carbide pieces.

I. Tungsten Carbide Grinding Methods

1. Using Formed Grinding Wheels

• Profile Matching: Prepare your grinding wheels to match the inverse shape of the tungsten carbide workpiece’s desired profile. This method is particularly effective for achieving complex shapes and sharp details in your pieces.

2. Part Clamping Methods

• Fixture Use: Secure tungsten carbide parts using specialized fixtures designed to accommodate the rigidity and weight of the material. This ensures stability and precision during the grinding process.

3. Grinding Thin Tungsten Carbide Parts

• Elastic Clamping: Utilize elastic mechanisms to hold thin workpieces securely without causing stress or deformation. Magnetic chucks can be particularly useful for maintaining the position of the part during the grinding operation.

II. Surface Grinder Grinding Techniques

1. Conical Surface Grinding

• Angle Adjustment: Set the angle of the upper worktable to correspond with the semi-cone angle of the part. Utilize precision instruments like gauges to verify and adjust the angle during grinding.

2. Spindle Box Method Grinding

• Chuck Mounting: This technique is suited for grinding large conical surfaces. Secure the workpiece in a chuck and use the spindle box to rotate and grind the part to the desired conical profile.

3. Rotating Grinding Wheel Method

• Wheel Adjustment: Adjust the grinding wheel for optimal contact with the surface, particularly effective for correcting surfaces that are lower in the middle.

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III. Common Grinding Processes

1. Grinding Overlong Tungsten Carbide Parts

• End-to-End Grinding: Carefully grind both ends of the part alternately, avoiding sideways pressure that could damage the grinding stone or the piece itself. Finish with a fine grinding stone for a smooth surface.

2. Grinding Small Workpieces

• Edge Refinement: Use finer grinding stones to clean and refine the edges of small, precision parts, ensuring sharpness and accuracy.

3. Double-Sided Grinding

• Support Platforms: Leave specific areas unground on each side of the piece to serve as support points for further polishing and detail work.

4. Various Grinding Methods for Surface Grinders

• Machine Varieties: Employ different types of surface grinders like horizontal axis torque table or vertical axis rotary table surface grinders depending on the specific needs of the project.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of a surface grinder for tungsten carbide involves understanding both the capabilities of your equipment and the characteristics of the material. Each grinding method and technique has its place in the machining process, depending on the shape, size, and type of the tungsten carbide part being worked on. With these guidelines, you can enhance the precision and quality of your grinding operations.

For those experienced in grinding tungsten carbide with a surface grinder, sharing your insights and tips can be invaluable to others in the field looking to refine their techniques and improve their outcomes.