How to Avoid Grinding Burn
Robbie Williams 06.10.2015
Grinding burn can be a real frustration for operators because it can be tricky to isolate the cause of the problem, and the solution. When grinding burn occurs, it’s typically evident from a physical discoloration on the part. When you see this, there could be a variety of causes for this problem, which presents a dilemma: where do you start when troubleshooting? Here’s my list of possible causes and how to resolve them, in order of what should be checked first.
Poor Coolant Flow
Problems with coolant flow are easy to see, so this is where you should start. Is your coolant flowing freely? If not, inspect your coolant lines, and make sure your coolant is clear, clean and free of debris. If your coolant checks out fine, then it’s time to investigate your feeds and speeds.
Work Speed Too Slow
If the rotation of your work is too slow, this can cause grinding burn. Try increasing your work speed.
Wheel Infeed Too Fast
Feeding too fast not only causes burn marks, it can also lead to permanent damage to your wheel. Reduce your infeed and observe the results.
Wheel is “Acting Hard”
A wheel is a wheel, but you can make it act differently by manipulating certain variables. If you’re experiencing grinding burn, it could be that your wheel is “acting hard.” You can make it act softer by:
- Increasing the work spindle speed, increasing the part spindle speed, or decreasing the grinding wheel speed
- Increasing the wheel infeed (the amount of travel that your wheel is going into the part)
- Decreasing the wheel diameter. This will make your grinder think that the wheel is smaller than it actually is
- Decreasing your coolant lubricity. Basically, just don’t send as much coolant to the part
As you become accustomed to checking these variables and performing troubleshooting, you’ll gain an instinctive knowledge for preventing grinding burn. Your gut will tell you what to do!
Do you have any troubleshooting tips to share? Feel free to comment below and let us know your favorite procedures. Questions are welcome too!
Robbie Williams is Applications Engineer, Okuma America Corporation.