Know the difference between Blanchard Grinding and Precision Grinding

Grinding is a machine process that uses abrasive materials or steels to get to its required dimensions and top layer finishing. There are various methods of grinding that are followed in the industries. Blanchard grinding and Precision Grinding are two methods of grinding. Blanchard grinding is used on materials with a wide surface area to extract stock from one side. Precision grinding is used on materials with limited surfaces to produce a superior surface finish, high degree of parallelism, or flatness.

What is Blanchard Grinding?

Blanchard grinding is used to properly remove the stock from one side of the material which has a large expanded surface area. Blanchard Grinding is also known as Rotary Surface Grinding which was invented in 1900’s by Blanchard Machine Company. As this method of grinding is much productive then the precision grinding, it is suitable for grinding large pieces of material. This method is not used to grind materials which have the tolerance which is less than 0.001 inch.

It can leave a surface finish of about 65 RMS as well as a signature grinding label, which some people find appealing. Magnets are often used to keep massive ferrous materials in place when grinding takes place. Blanchard grinding may be used on a wide range of nonferrous materials; however, different methods of storage mechanisms must be used. Blanchard grinding is mostly used on large castings and forgings, large sections of plate stock, large stampings, Mold and die.

What is Precision Grinding?

Precision grinding is used for materials with limited surfaces that need a high degree of flatness, parallelism, or a superior surface finish. It is used for applications that need tolerances of up to +/- 0.0001 inch and surface finishes of about 10 RMS. It is often used as one of the final machining processes on a component.

Horizontal Spindle Surface Grinding: This process involves bringing an abrasive wheel into contact with a smooth surface of a part as it is being rotated at high speeds.

Cylindrical grinding: It is equivalent to horizontal spindle surface grinding, except that it is used to grind circular surfaces and therefore involves a separate work keeping system. The abrasives used in cylindrical grinding may be dressed in a way that aids in part shaping.

Aluminum oxide, zirconia alumina, and silicon carbide are some popular abrasives for both horizontal spindle surface grinding and cylindrical grinding. Lubricants can be used, depending on the application, to reduce the high temperatures generated by the grinding operation.

Center less grinding, internal diameter grinding, and creep-feed grinding are examples of precision grinding methods.

Examples of typical applications include:

Molds and dies

Stampings

Shafts

Bushings

Machine components

Pistons

Cylinders