MODEL-BASED ASSISTANT TOOL FOR THE SETTING-UP AND OPTIMIZATION OF CENTERLESS GRINDING PROCESS

Abstract

Recent advances in process modeling allow for more accurate prediction of complex phenomena. A combination of different modeling approaches makes it possible to develop new products to set up, control and optimize machining operations. In the near future, a continuous improvement strategy should be adopted, as improvements to advanced models open up new opportunities for industrial applications. In particular, the efforts made by different research groups on grinding have given rise to significant developments in this area, some of which have recently been made into applied software. As an example of the necessity for process modeling and the viability of industrialized tools based on it, this article presents the work carried out on the development of an assistant tool for the setting up and optimization of the centerless grinding process, focusing on avoiding the main limitations of this process and optimizing productivity.

Keywords:

• grinding
• modeling
• optimization

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank their colleagues at Ideko Technological Centre (R. Lizarralde and U. Abasolo), Mondragon University (P. Puerto, P. J. Arrazola), Estarta Rectificadora (I. Muguerza), and Manhattan Abrasives (P. Cárdenas) for their contribution to this work. This work has been carried out with the financial support of the Basque Government (projects UE 2008-4 and Gaitek IG-2007-0000309) and the Spanish Government (project Profit CIT-020000-2008-4).