Handbook of Modern Grinding Technology

Book excerpt: The latest information indicates that the United States now spends in excess of $150 billion annually to perform its metal removal tasks using conventional machining technology. That estimate is increased from $115 billion 5 years ago. It becomes clear that metal removal technology is a very important candidate for rigorous investigation looking toward improvement of productivity within the manufacturing system. To aid in that endeavor, an extensive program of research has developed within the industrial community with the express purpose of establishing a new scientific and applied base that will provide principles upon which new manufacturing decisions can be made. One of the metal removal techniques that has the potential for great economic advantages is high-rate metal removal with related technologies. This text is concerned with the field of grinding as a subset of the general field of high-rate metal removal. Related processes (not covered in this text) include such topics as turning, drilling, and milling. In the final evaluation, the correct decision in the determination of a grinding process must necessarily include an understanding of the other methods of metal removal. The term grinding, as used herein, includes polishing, buffing, lapping, and honing as well as conventional definition: "... removing either metallic or other materials by the use of a solid grinding wheel".