Thrufeed Grinding Machine Processes Carbide Cutting Blanks in Small Footprint

A machine platform developed by Glebar Co. (Ramsey, NJ) can process carbide cutting blanks – carbide being one of the most challenging materials to grind, ranging in hardness between 65 and 85 Rc. After sintering, carbide has a rough surface finish and chips easily.

Following a customer’s spec, the processes needed to maintain cylindricity of 2 microns over a 4” long part. Glebar delivered with its GT-610 EZ centerless grinding machine. The GT-610 EZ excels at thrufeed grinding hard materials such as steel, carbide, PCD inserts, and technical ceramics while operating on a smaller footprint than legacy machines.

“The GT-610 EZ uses a proven twin grip 8-5/8″ wide grinding wheel setup spreading the material removal over a longer span which results in higher throughput, less aggressive approach reducing chipping, and a smoother overall surface finish ” explained John Bannayan, chief technical officer at Glebar Co.

GT-610 EZ has the unique ability to produce G-ratios that can exceed those of machines twice its size. When running super abrasives, a variable frequency drive on the work wheel spindle is available to increase wheel surface feet.

On the 0.750” diameter carbide blanks for the customer application that resulted in the GT-610 EZ, the roughing operation removed 0.012” and the finish pass removed 0.003”, improving on the 2 Rz surface finish requirement. Glebar met the customer’s cylindricity spec of 2 microns over the 4” long part. The straightness and roundness of the parts were sub 1.5 microns.

www.glebar.com