Some Features of the Surface Micro- and Macroprofile Formation at Flat Face Grinding with Spindle Axis Inclination

The work described in this paper pertains to the identification of some features of micro- and macroprofile formation of surfaces to be machined with flat face grinding, with inclination of the spindle axis. The question of the formation of machined surface profile at through-feed grinding and multiple-pass scheme are considered by using computer-aided simulations in COMPASS environment. More specifically, for flat face through-feed grinding, a generalized empirical equation exhibiting the dependency of concavity from the outer diameter of the face grinding wheel, the spindle axis inclination angle and the width of the surface of the workpiece is acquired. Furthermore, based on the maximum allowable value of flatness deviation and with pre-determined grinding wheel diameter and workpiece width, it is possible to identify the maximum inclination angle at which concavity falls within acceptable limits. For the case of multiple pass flat face grinding, the role of factors such as inclination angle of spindle axis, cross-feed and diameter of the grinding wheel on the height of residual ridges on the surface of the parts is determined through the proposal of an empirical equation. With the aforementioned equations the machinist may reasonably prescribe machining conditions in practice. The conducted research contributes to the expansion of ideas regarding technological possibilities of improvement of flat face grinding.