A Computer-Aided Study of The Texture of the Working Surfaces of Grinding Wheels

Summary

A computer-aided technique for studying the surface texture of the working surfaces of grinding wheels has been developed. This has been used to investigate the effect of wheel dressing conditions on the behaviour of the grinding wheel surface during use in grinding. It has been found that the total number of surface asperities on the working surface of a sharp wheel is virtually independent of the dressing feed, though with a degree of bunching of asperity peaks towards the outer region of the wheel surface. The degree of bunching of these asperity peaks decreases with increasing coarseness of dressing. The valleys in the surfaces, on the other hand, have a Gaussian-type frequency distribution. Significant changes in the forms of the frequency distributions of both asperity peaks and valleys on the working surface of the grinding wheel occur when the wheel becomes substantially worn. It is thought that the technique may be used in further studies of the wearing action of grinding wheels.