Based in Corona, CA, Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Corporation is an AS9100D certified machine shop specializing in aerospace machining and grinding. They offer cylindrical grinding for parts up to 30 inches long and 6 inches in diameter, working with alloy and stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium for tight-tolerance applications.
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Cylindrical Grinding Companies
Last updated: January 2026
This directory lists 84 cylindrical grinding companies across the United States, from specialty shops handling exotic materials and complex geometries to high-volume production facilities focused on cost-effective, repeatable processes.
Customers frequently engage these specialists to solve persistent issues like runout from previous machining operations, improve wear resistance for high-friction applications, or produce components with exceptionally tight diameter and taper tolerances. The expertise these shops bring is crucial for parts requiring precise dimensional control, such as hydraulic pistons, turbine shafts, and medical instrumentation, where performance hinges on holding exacting specifications, often through methods like plunge grinding or through-feed grinding.
Suppliers in this space vary significantly. Some are dedicated job shops excelling in one-off prototypes or low-volume, high-precision work on conventional machines, while others operate highly automated CNC cylindrical grinders with robotic loading for continuous production runs. Distinction also lies in their material expertise, ranging from common steels and aluminum to advanced ceramics, carbides, and superalloys, each requiring specialized wheel selection and grinding parameters to avoid surface integrity issues.
Company Directory
84 companies nationwide
Based in Santa Ana, CA, Acme Tool Grinding specializes in precision cutting tool manufacturing and reconditioning. Operating since 1977 with state-of-the-art ANCA CNC grinders, the company serves aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing sectors. They provide custom tools, regrinds, and technical support.
Aggressive Grinding Service, Inc., based in Latrobe, PA, specializes in precision carbide grinding and advanced ceramic finishing. They offer a comprehensive range of cylindrical grinding services, including OD, ID, and centerless grinding, operating from a 42,000 sq/ft facility. The company provides high-quality products with rapid delivery.
Based in Orange, CA, All Diameter Grinding Inc. specializes in precision grinding services. The company offers a comprehensive range of capabilities including cylindrical, centerless, surface, internal, OD, ID, and Blanchard grinding for industrial clients requiring tight tolerances and high-quality finishes.
Alpa Centerless Products Inc. specializes in custom precision grinding services for various industries. Based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, they provide centerless, OD, ID, surface, and Blanchard grinding capabilities. Their skilled team achieves stringent tolerances and critical finishes for diverse parts.
Based in Gary, IN, American Precision Services, Inc. provides precision machining, repair, and fabrication services. They specialize in advanced ID, OD, and surface grinding, capable of meeting stringent tolerances and exacting finish requirements for critical industrial components and equipment.
Arrow Grinding provides comprehensive precision grinding services, including internal and external cylindrical grinding, centerless, surface, and form grinding. Based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the company operates a 43,000 sq ft facility, offering solutions for diverse industrial grinding requirements, alongside CNC machining and fabrication.
Based in Pflugerville, TX, Banister Medical specializes in precision manufacturing for the medical industry. The company produces orthopedic, spinal, and surgical instruments, offering advanced capabilities to create complex implants and devices with high precision.
Based in Burbank, California, B J Grinding Inc. provides precision grinding services for industrial and commercial clients. The company leverages its facility and capabilities to deliver specialized grinding solutions.
Based in Houston, TX, Cassco Grinding & Machining provides comprehensive grinding and machining services. The company emphasizes quality, innovation through degreed engineers, and 24/7 customer service. They work nights and weekends to meet demanding deadlines, offering real-time progress updates.
Based in Dallas, TX, Commerce Grinding Company specializes in precision ID/OD and centerless long bar grinding, achieving tolerances to .0001″. Since 1976, their full-service machine shop offers Blanchard, surface grinding, waterjet, and gun drilling capabilities for diverse metal processing.
Cowan Precision Grinding, based in Sylmar, CA, specializes in delivering high-precision cylindrical grinding services. They expertly process various industrial components, ensuring accurate dimensions and superior surface finishes. The company leverages specialized equipment to meet stringent tolerance requirements for diverse manufacturing applications.
Custom Production Grinding, based in Menomonee Falls, WI, specializes in precision OD grinding, ID grinding, and centerless grinding services for Midwest manufacturers. The company also provides ID honing, centerless infeed/plunge and thru-feed, and surface grinding capabilities, ensuring high-quality custom production solutions.
C&W Grinding, based in Cleveland, OH, specializes in precision grinding services for long length parts. They offer extensive ID grinding up to 50 inches OD/ID and OD grinding from 30 to 204 inches long. Services also include surface and jig grinding.
Based in Downey, CA, Downey Grinding Co, Inc. specializes in centerless grinding services, including infeed and thru-feed grinding for outside diameters from .030” to 2.500”. Since 1960, they have maintained tight tolerances and superior finishes, serving the aerospace industry with stringent quality assurance programs.
Duval Precision Grinding, based in Santa Ana, CA, is a family-owned and operated company established in 1980. With over 40 years of experience, the company provides exceptional and precise grinding services. They have built a strong reputation for quality work ethic and dedication to customer business needs.
Based in La Mirada, CA, General Grinding provides precision OD and ID cylindrical grinding services. They specialize in grinding plated surfaces and high strength steels for aerospace applications. The company also offers centerless grinding, CNC machining, and is AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified.
Great Western Grinding, Inc. is a manufacturing company based in Huntington Beach, CA. The company specializes in providing professional grinding services for industrial clients. They offer precision grinding solutions, catering to various manufacturing needs, likely including cylindrical grinding operations.
Grindal Company, based in Itasca, IL, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified grinding specialist established in 1965. They offer precision OD (cylindrical), ID, surface, rotary, and centerless grinding services. Capabilities include CNC and manual grinding for parts from 0.032” to 18” diameter by up to 60 inches long.
Based in Miamisburg, OH, Grinding.com specializes in precision cylindrical grinding services. Utilizing advanced STUDER, SCHAUDT, and MIKROSA machines, they handle diverse ID/OD cylindrical applications, accommodating parts ground between centers or with.
Based in Houston, TX, Grinding Technology LLC specializes in manufacturing, regrinding, and machining carbide cutting tools. They offer advanced engineering and consulting services, focusing on enhancing customer productivity and tool life. The company delivers high-quality tooling and cost savings through reconditioning services.
H.H. Arnold Co., Inc. provides precision cylindrical, centerless, surface, and honing grinding, along with CNC milling and turning services. Based in Rockland, MA, this company has over 60 years of experience serving aerospace, medical, electromechanical, and general industrial clients with high-precision solutions.
Based in Houston, TX, South Coast Grinding, a division of H&M Plating Co., provides cylindrical grinding and honing services. They specialize in reconditioning processes for demanding industries like oil, petrochemical, marine, hydraulic, chemical manufacturing, and mining. This ISO 9001 certified provider offers flexible standard and expedited turnaround options.
Based in Bridgeport, CT, Horberg specializes in precision thru feed grinding services. The company focuses on round, simple-shape parts, ensuring consistent roundness throughout their entire length. Their expertise caters to clients requiring high-precision grinding solutions for various industrial applications.
Based in Houston, TX, Houston Centerless Grinding specializes in precision centerless grinding, a form of cylindrical grinding. They also offer shaft straightening and CNC turning services, delivering high-precision machining solutions for complex parts, from prototypes to large-scale production.
Hi-Precision Grinding & Manufacturing specializes in precision cylindrical grinding, offering centerless, OD, and thread grinding services. They achieve tolerances as close as 10 millionths and cylindrical parts with 2 ½ millionths roundness. Serving aerospace, defense, scientific instrument, and medical industries, they work with steel, aluminum, and exotic materials.
Based in Dayton, OH, Industrial Grinding, Inc. provides precision grinding and metallizing services. Specializing in cylindrical grinding, they refurbish worn industrial parts like gears, pistons, and rods to meet factory specifications. Their capabilities also include vertical, surface, and Blanchard grinding, serving aerospace, petroleum, and chemical industries.
Based in Richmond, VA, Jewett Machine specializes in precision CNC machining, with a core focus on cylindrical grinding for super precision parts up to 14 inches in diameter and a meter long. Their full-service capabilities also include horizontal and vertical milling, multi-axis turning, and Swiss screw machining. Jewett Machine is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Based in St. Louis, MO, McCay Tool & Engineering provides precision cylindrical grinding services. As a manufacturer of aerospace components, it utilizes state-of-the-art technology and leverages over 70 years of experience. The company serves major aerospace firms like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, alongside U.S. government entities.
Minnesota Grinding provides specialized CNC grinding services, serving as a key supplier for businesses within the demanding aerospace industry. The company offers precision grinding capabilities to meet the stringent requirements of its industrial clients, ensuring high-quality components for various applications.
M&M Jig Grinding Inc., based in Santa Clara, CA, offers precision ID and OD cylindrical grinding, surface, and jig grinding. They handle tools, gages, and short-run parts, holding tolerances to one micron. Serving aerospace, military, and medical sectors, the company adheres to ISO 9001 standards.
Based in North Branford, CT, OneMonroe provides cylindrical grinding services and custom manufacturing for built-to-order parts. The company serves a diverse customer base of manufacturers and distributors across numerous vertical markets, including aerospace, automotive, defense, and medical industries.
Myers Precision Grinding Inc., based in Cleveland, OH, provides a full range of precision grinding services. Specializing in ID, OD, centerless, surface, and thread grinding, they work with ceramic, advanced materials, and most metals. ISO 9001:2015 certified, the company manages projects from prototype to production.
Based in Dayton, OH, Nation Grinding provides cylindrical grinding services. Their capabilities include handling workpieces up to 12 inches in diameter and 60 inches long, catering to various industrial grinding needs with precision.
Precision Metal Grinding offers decades of experience in the metal grinding industry. The company provides precision grinding services for various industrial applications. They are a trusted partner to manufacturers in aerospace and medical sectors, including Arconic, Boeing, DePuy Synthes, GKN Aerospace, and Aerojet.
Precision Roll Grinders Inc., based in Allentown, PA, specializes in precision roll grinding services, boasting over 50 years of experience. They utilize unmatched expertise and proprietary technology to grind industrial rolls to the tightest tolerances, ensuring higher-quality products, efficient operations, and extended roll life.
Based in Houston, TX, Pro-Grind Inc. offers comprehensive precision cylindrical grinding services, including CNC O.D. and I.D. grinding, centerless, surface, honing, and lapping. With over 30 years of experience, they deliver tight tolerance solutions for diverse industries and production requirements.
Based in Buena Park, CA, Quality Grinding Co., Inc. provides precision grinding services, including external (OD/cylindrical), internal (ID), centerless, surface, Blanchard, and double disc grinding. Serving diverse industrial applications since 1957, the company handles various materials and sizes, ensuring high-quality finishes.
Based in Cincinnati, OH, R. A. Heller Co. provides precision grinding services, specializing in large ID and OD grinding. They handle rolls up to 30 inches OD by 10 feet in length. The company also offers hard chrome plating and piston rod repair for critical industrial applications.
R&C Roll Grinding provides specialized in-place calender roll grinding services for industrial equipment. They correct gauge variation, eliminate surface blemishes like pitting and dings, and resolve sticking problems by re-contouring rolls and applying release finishes. This ensures optimal roll performance for industrial clients directly on-site.
Record Crank Shaft & Grinding Inc., based in Pacoima, CA, specializes in precision cylindrical grinding for crankshafts, ensuring meticulous adherence to exact specifications. The company also provides comprehensive engine block services, including boring, honing, decking, and surfacing. Additionally, they offer specialized cylinder head services focusing on detailed valve jobs for peak engine performance.
Based in Milpitas, CA, SJC Precision, Inc. is an ISO 9001-2015 certified company providing precision machining and grinding services since 1996. They manufacture high-accuracy machined and ground parts, jigs, fixtures, and tools, consistently achieving tolerances of +/-0.0001 inches. Core capabilities include CNC machining and comprehensive quality inspection.
Based in New Haven, MI, Sturdy Grinding offers specialized precision grinding services. Their capabilities encompass CNC OD grinding, centerless thru-feed and end-feed plunge grinding, alongside precision bar stock grinding. They excel in high volume production and complex parts, providing exceptionally tight tolerances up to 0.0002 inches.
Based in Brownstown, MI, Systrand offers over 40 years of high-quality, high-precision manufacturing and assembly. Specializing in precision machining and gear manufacturing, the company utilizes CNC cylindrical grinding machines to achieve tight tolerances and low NVH levels. Systrand is a certified ISO/IATF 16949 Tier 1 supplier.
Based in Kernville, CA, Custom Thread Grinding, Inc. offers expert CNC grinding services, specializing in precision aerospace, medical, and plastic injection molding applications. They utilize advanced CNC grinding techniques to manufacture high-quality worm gears, lead screws, and nuts, focusing on expert thread grinding solutions and ensuring exceptional precision grinding standards.
Based in East Hartford, CT, United Centerless Grinding & Thread Rolling provides centerless, form, and CNC profile grinding services. They also offer thread rolling, wire EDM, and Swiss machining. Certified AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015, they serve aerospace, automotive, medical, military, and commercial industries.
Based in Appleton, WI, Valley Tool offers precision cylindrical grinding services, utilizing advanced CNC technology and decades of experience. They also provide custom tool manufacturing, tool reconditioning, and comprehensive tool management solutions. The company supplies coolants, lubricants, and various tooling board materials for industrial applications.
Based in Muskegon, MI, West Michigan Grinding & Machine provides precision CNC machining and grinding services. They specialize in highly complex, tight tolerance operations for various materials, including ferrous, non-ferrous, plastics, ceramics, and hardened. The company offers custom tooling and short-run machining solutions for industrial customers.
Young's Precision Tool Grinding is a precision grinding shop located in Ontario, CA. The company specializes in various tool grinding services, including cylindrical grinding, for industrial and commercial clients. They focus on delivering high-quality, precise finishes for a range of components and tools.
Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Apex Grinding, Inc. provides state-of-the-art precision grinding services. They specialize in grinding precision components and bars, ensuring high-quality results delivered to exact specifications and on time for industrial clients.
Dynamic Precision Tool & Manufacturing, based in Troy, MI, specializes in precision CNC machining, grinding, and wire EDM services. They expertly perform ID and OD grinding to tight tolerances with quick turnaround. Serving aerospace, military, medical, and automotive industries, they produce highly complex assemblies and critical parts.
Based in Luling, TX, PricklyPearPrototypes offers precision manufacturing services, emphasizing full GD&T capabilities like flatness and concentricity. They provide functional gaging with custom fixtures to verify complex part callouts. The company ensures per-print compliance, delivering components that meet exact industrial specifications.
Based in Garland, TX, MCC Tooling specializes in precision grinding services, including cylindrical, centerless, ID, surface, form, and jig grinding. The company employs advanced equipment and expertise to provide high-quality, reliable solutions for diverse industrial applications, meeting specific client requirements.
Based in Orange, CA, Precision Grinding Company offers precision grinding services including ID, OD, universal, surface, rotary, spherical, form, and thread grinding. Established in 1978, they serve industries like aerospace, military, medical, and automotive, specializing in high-end critical components.
Based in Middletown, CT, Aerospace Techniques offers in-house precision machining, conventional and wire EDM, and precision grinding services. They specialize in complex shapes and tough materials for the aerospace, aviation, and industrial gas turbine markets. The company is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
Based in Houston, TX, American Grinding Tool manufactures custom and precision cutting tools, including carbide end mills and drills. They leverage CNC technology and high-quality carbide materials for various industries. Services include tool design, reverse engineering, and professional regrinding to enhance tool life.
Based in Houston, TX, ATG Incorporated is a family-owned and operated tool grinding company, established in 1967. They restore cutting tools to their original state and create custom form tools in-house to client specifications. The company provides precision grinding services, offering a cost-effective alternative for maintaining industrial cutting instruments.
Austin Tool & Grinding Co. provides precision machining and fabrication services from their Pflugerville, TX facility. Specializing in various grinding operations, including O.D. and I.D. cylindrical grinding, surface grinding, and centerless grinding, they also offer CNC and manual machining, welding, sheet metal work, and waterjet cutting for diverse industrial needs.
Boston Centerless manufactures and distributes precision bar materials. The company provides specialized centerless grinding services, known for achieving high precision tolerances for a wide range of industrial applications and materials.
Based in Houston, TX, B-W Grinding Service INC. specializes in full-service industrial manufacturing, coating, and precision grinding. Since 1970, they provide OEM replacement parts including turbine rotors, pump shafts, and impellers, serving the turbomachinery, oil and gas, and industrial gas turbine industries.
Based in Tucker, GA, Centerless Grinding Service specializes in precision centerless grinding and polishing of various metals, including carbon steel, alloy, stainless steel, brass, and exotic materials. Serving diverse industries like automotive, marine, medical, and pulp and paper, they ensure products meet MIL-Q-9858A, MIL-I-45208A, and ISO standards.
Based in Houston, TX, D&I Tool LLC is a full-service custom machine shop specializing in precision parts, tools, and prototypes. They offer extensive grinding services, including ID/OD (cylindrical grinding), centerless, surface, and jig grinding, alongside CNC machining, EDM, welding, and fabrication for diverse industrial sectors.
Duval Grinding offers high-tolerance precision grinding services for industrial manufacturers. Specializing in OD, ID, surface, jig, and CNC grinding, they process diverse materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, and coatings. The company serves aerospace and semiconductor sectors, accommodating complex components with expert craftsmanship and accurate results.
KMM Group, Ltd. provides precision contract manufacturing, specializing in complex, tight-tolerance components. Services include integrated machining, EDM, and advanced CNC grinding. They offer ultra-precision centerless, multi-axis OD/ID, and medical guidewire grinding for MedTech, aerospace, defense, and robotics industries.
Based in Temecula, CA, Long Machine Inc. specializes in precision CNC grinding and gundrilling services. They manufacture high-quality machined parts for demanding industries. Since 1979, the company has primarily served the aeronautical and oil & gas sectors, providing specialized solutions to meet stringent industrial requirements.
Based in Cincinnati, OH, Midwest Precision Grinding Co. specializes in high-quality, precision cylindrical and centerless grinding services. They handle materials like tool steel and carbon fiber, offering cylindrical OD, internal, thru-feed, in-feed, and bar grinding for diverse industrial applications.
Norris Machine Works, Inc., based in Houston, TX, provides precision machining, fabrication, and repair services for large industrial components, established in 1970. They offer grinding capabilities, including internal, external, surface, Blanchard, tool, and cylindrical grinding, utilizing large capacity lathes and boring mills.
Pacific Precision Grinding, based in Gardena, CA, specializes in cylindrical I.D. and O.D. grinding of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The company, with over 35 years experience, supplies precision components to Aerospace, Petroleum, Military, and Automotive industries, offering comprehensive I.D., O.D., surface, and centerless grinding.
Petersen Precision, based in Redwood City, CA, is an ISO 9001/AS9100 certified high-volume manufacturer of precision metal parts. They provide direct cylindrical grinding services, including Centerless Grinding, Creep Feed Form Grinding, and O.D. grinding for round parts demanding tight tolerances and superior surface finishes.
Based in Hamden, CT, Precision Grinding Solutions, LLC provides innovative grinding and inspection solutions. The company serves state-of-the-art applications across aerospace/defense, automotive, and tool, die, and mold making end-markets. They are committed to quality, holding AS9100D and ISO9001:2015 certifications to ensure exceptional products and services.
Based in Palos Hills, IL, Precision Ground Bars specializes in bar grinding, processing bar materials and round components. They achieve precise shape and roundness to meet customer specifications for various industrial applications.
Based in Dallas, TX, RGM Tool & Die Machine Shop provides machining and specialized grinding. Offerings include OD and ID cylindrical grinding, surface grinding, and jig grinding. They also perform CNC milling, turning, tool and die fabrication, and prototyping for industrial customers.
Based in Gardena, CA, Rodco Precision Grinding, established 1972, provides extensive centerless grinding services. They achieve tight tolerances and superior finishes on diverse materials. Capabilities include spherical radius, grooves, O.D. grinding, surface grinding, and thread rolling, handling parts down to .006 inch, known for quality and reliability.
Based in Green Bay, WI, Rol-Tec, Inc. performs in-house roll grinding to address wear, surface damage, and dimensional issues. Their services eliminate the need for outsourcing, ensuring timely restoration and maintenance of critical cylindrical components.
Schaffer Grinding Co. provides precision grinding and milling services from its facilities in Montebello, CA, and Twinsburg, OH. Capabilities include rotary grinding, surface grinding, belt grinding, and precision milling for various industrial applications.
Based in San Benito, TX, Sauceda's Precision Grinding, Inc. offers precision grinding services, alongside CNC production for industrial clients. They design and build specialty process equipment, jigs, fixtures, and gages. Established in 1979, the company handles orders from single parts to mass production.
Based in Oxford, MA, Swissturn USA is an employee-owned CNC Swiss manufacturer. They specialize in precision machined components, offering centerless grinding and miniature fasteners for industries including aerospace, medical, firearms, and defense.
Based in Santa Clara, CA, Western Grinding Service Inc. is an ISO 9001:2015 certified engineering and manufacturing company. They provide high-precision, tight-tolerance parts, specializing in cylindrical, centerless, and CNC internal grinding. The company serves the medical, automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.
Based in Santa Clarita, CA, Advanced CNC Grinding specializes in precision cylindrical grinding services using advanced CNC technology. The company offers high-tolerance grinding operations for various industrial components, focusing on achieving exceptional surface finishes and dimensional accuracy. They provide crucial manufacturing solutions.
Based in Elk Grove Village, IL, BTX Precision offers manual and CNC grinding services, including surface, OD, ID, jig, and ultra-precision grinding. They deliver precision manufacturing and build-to-print solutions for high-performance industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, and semiconductor.
Mayday Manufacturing is a precision machining and grinding company based in Denton, TX. They offer comprehensive services including CNC machining, EDM, fabrication, welding, and assembly. Specializing in precision grinding, their capabilities encompass Blanchard, surface, tool & cutter, and cylindrical grinding for diverse industrial applications.
Based in San Jose, CA, Pacific Prototype Manufacturing is a CNC machine shop specializing in prototype and production services. They offer precision grinding, including cylindrical, surface, and centerless grinding, alongside CNC milling, turning, EDM, finishing, and assembly. The company provides comprehensive manufacturing solutions to diverse industries.
Precision Industrie provides comprehensive precision machining services, including cylindrical, surface, and centerless grinding. Based in Houston, Texas, they utilize advanced grinding machines and skilled technicians to ensure tight tolerances and superior surface finishes for critical components across diverse industries.
Based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, West Coast Centerless Grinding specializes in precision centerless grinding services. They offer high-quality surface finishes and tight tolerances for a variety of cylindrical components. Their expertise ensures accurate and efficient material removal, serving industrial and commercial clients with diverse grinding needs.
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How to Choose a Company
- Assess their capability to hold your specific geometric tolerances, particularly for concentricity, cylindricity, and runout, and inquire about their metrology equipment like roundness checkers, profilometers, and air gages for in-process and final inspection.
- Verify their experience with your material (e.g., hardened tool steels, carbide, ceramics, inconel); wheel selection (diamond, CBN, aluminum oxide) and grinding fluid management are critical and highly material-dependent to prevent surface damage or burn.
- For critical applications in aerospace or medical, require suppliers to hold AS9100 or ISO 13485 certifications, respectively, demonstrating robust quality management systems beyond just ISO 9001, covering traceability and process control specific to regulated industries.
- Evaluate their workholding strategies (e.g., centers, collets, chucks, mandrels) and how they plan to datum your part; improper workholding is a common cause of poor cylindricity and surface finish, especially on long or slender components.
- Inquire about their wheel dressing and truing procedures; inadequate or inconsistent wheel maintenance can lead to poor surface finish, increased cycle times, and premature wheel wear, signaling a potential red flag for quality and cost control.
- Understand their approach to post-grinding cleaning and demagnetization; residual grinding swarf or magnetism can cause downstream issues in assembly or affect part performance, particularly in sensitive electronic or medical devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do different workholding methods impact the precision and surface finish of a cylindrical ground part?
The choice of workholding—whether using centers, chucks, collets, or mandrels—critically affects a part's concentricity, cylindricity, and surface finish. Center-type grinding, for instance, offers superior concentricity and minimal deflection for longer parts. Chucks or collets are faster for shorter, higher-volume parts but can introduce clamping distortions, impacting roundness. Understanding a supplier's expertise in selecting and implementing the right workholding for your part's geometry and tolerances is paramount.
Beyond Ra, what other surface finish parameters are critical for cylindrical grinding, and how should I specify them?
While Ra (average roughness) is common, it's often insufficient for critical applications. Consider specifying Rz (mean peak-to-valley height) for bearing surfaces or Rpk/Rvk (reduced peak height/reduced valley depth) for wear resistance. For dynamic seals or fluid film bearings, a specific material ratio curve (Abbott-Firestone curve) or bearing ratio can be vital. Discuss your part's function with the grinder to determine the most relevant parameters and ensure they have the metrology (e.g., specific profilometers) to measure them.
When is centerless grinding a better option than center-type grinding for my components, and what are its limitations?
Centerless grinding, typically through-feed or in-feed, excels for high-volume production of parts without centers, like pins, rods, or bushings, offering fast processing and excellent roundness. It can often achieve tighter roundness than center-type grinding due to the lack of workholding stresses. However, it's less suitable for parts with complex geometries, features that can't be supported by the regulating wheel, or those requiring precise axial location relative to other features (as it only controls OD geometry).
What common geometric errors from previous machining operations can cylindrical grinding effectively correct?
Cylindrical grinding is highly effective at correcting common geometric errors such as runout (axial or radial), ovality, taper, and minor variations in diameter from turning or milling. It can also refine the surface finish and remove hard spots or scale. However, it's crucial that the previous operation leaves enough material for grinding stock (typically 0.005-0.020 inches per side) to clean up these errors without excessive grinding time or potential part deflection.
How does wheel selection and dressing affect the outcome of cylindrical grinding for different materials and desired finishes?
Wheel selection (abrasive type, grain size, bond) and dressing technique are fundamental to grinding success. Softer, more open wheels are often used for harder, gummy materials like stainless steel or superalloys to prevent loading, while harder, finer-grained wheels are used for precision finishes on hardened steels. Proper wheel dressing ensures the abrasive grains are sharp and exposed, preventing burn, improving finish, and maintaining geometric accuracy. Inadequate dressing leads to dull wheels, poor material removal, and surface integrity issues like micro-cracks or excessive heat.