Force and energy considerations on the face grinding of flat surfaces

Face grinding is a process that is capable of meeting both the productivity and flexibility demands of industry, with acceptable manufacturing costs. Efficient grinding is the result of an optimisation process that considers detailed knowledge of the interaction between a grinding wheel and the material of the workpiece, but which should also consider energy aspects. The face grinding process of flat surfaces has been analysed in this work through an experimental campaign, in an attempt to relate the grinding parameters to the forces and energy. Thus, a grinding apparatus was instrumented with a force measuring device in order to monitor the grinding forces applied during the removal of the material. The applied power and energy were also evaluated. The experimental results are discussed in this paper, and are related to the analytical relationships that were found to develop for the specific face grinding operation.