A systems approach for grinding of ceramics

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in grinding of ceramics, through careful understanding of the input elements (machine tool, diamond wheels, work material, operating parameters), their role in process interactions, and the consequent output behavior. Each of the input elements comprises a large number of variables. It is nearly impossible to characterize each of these variables to the last detail. Further, such an approach is expensive and time consuming. However, it is critical that the role of each input variable be assessed--at least qualitatively--in terms of the process interactions: cutting, plowing, and rubbing/sliding. Quantitative assessment of such microscopic interactions are difficult but should be pursued whenever possible, using macroscopic or measurable process interactions such as forces and energy. These process interactions in turn influence the output of the grinding system, which may be described in technical terms or as system output, when economic factors are also included. Thus, the systems approach to grinding becomes a process of simultaneously manipulating key selected input variables in order to (1) maximize the cutting component of the process interactions and (2) minimize the tribological components: plowing and rubbing/sliding. Complete understanding of the technical elements of the grinding process is essential. But it is equally necessarymore » to apply them systematically through attention to a few strategic elements of the total cost.« less