In response to this, over the years, grinding machines have become more sophisticated and flexible, incorporating automation and ‘smart’ features like software controls, IoT support, remote monitoring and multiple other functions into single-machine platforms.

As a good example of this, the majority of grinders that are on the market today offer increased accuracy and efficiency by including CNC as standard.

Modern grinding machines can produce high-precision components from a range of substances, thanks to the right features and set-up, which can include materials with significant heat resistance and hard-to-abrade materials.

High-Precision Parts with Cylindrical ID/OD Grinding
Machines used for cylindrical grinding are a backbone in most metalworking shops. Cylindrical grinding is the name given to the process used to finish off the outside or inside diameter of a cylindrical part.

During the process of cylindrical grinding, both the grinding wheel and the workpiece are in constant rotation, as the grinding wheel is fed towards and away from the piece.

These machines are highly flexible, and as long as they have a central axis of rotation, they can work on objects with various shapes, sizes and diameters.

There is a wide range of cylindrical grinders, which are single-purpose, single operation cylindrical grinders – including those which are OD (outside diameter) or those which are ID (inside diameter). The former of these – OD grinders – work on an object’s external surface as it is rotated between the centers.

The latter, ID grinding, sees small amounts of material being removed from a part in order to finish off its inner surface.

The ID grinding wheel and its object rotate in opposite directions, similarly to OD grinding, which results in reversed directional contact of the surfaces (where the grinding occurs).

As a result of this similarity, many grinders available today combine ID and OD grinding (along with other grinding functions if possible) onto a single machine, which naturally increases both its versatility and its range of practical applications. It must be noted, however, that single-purpose OD or ID machines are still sold.

Read more: New Innovations in ID/OD Grinding Operations