Applying Wire Electrical Discharge Dressing (WEDD) to Improve Grinding Performance of Metal Bounded Diamond Wheels

Abstract

In order to improve grinding performance of metal-bonded diamond wheels, a proper conditioning method has to be used. In this work, wire electrical discharge dressing (WEDD) is evaluated. With a self-designed WEDD-device the dressing process can be carried out inside a grinding machine, reducing non-productive time. Moreover, the in-process WED-dressing was assessed, showing potential for future applications. Dressing experiments indicated that high erosion material removal rates can be achieved and, in comparison to conventionally conditioned wheels, a better grinding wheel topography is generated. Finally, a model to calculate the axial dressing feed rate in WED-sharpening is proposed.