Ground Surface

Abstract

The figures presented in this section show a surface typical of those produced by the fine grinding process. The axonometric projection (Figure 4.1) clearly shows the grinding marks caused by the cutting action of the grits attached to the periphery of the grinding wheel and the directional nature of the grinding process. The grits are held at a variety of levels in relation to the circular envelope scribed by the grinding wheel as it rotates. Some grits are newly formed and sharp, generating a clean cutting action, whilst others exhibit varying degrees of bluntness, leading to surface formation by wear, ductile deformation and fatigue. The size of the grinding ridges and troughs are related to the feed-rate of the dressing diamond as it is fed across the wheel to dress and recondition the cutting edges. The general expectation is that a ground surface is the product of a series of random events. In practice, this is far from being the case, since an orientation exists as a result of the action of the dressing diamond as it prepares the surface of the grinding wheel.