Temperature case studies in grinding including an inclined heat source model

Abstract Previous analytical models of heat transfer in grinding have been based on the sliding heat source analysed by Jaeger and Carslaw in 1942. It is now shown that for deep grinding processes, and particularly for high efficiency deep grinding (HEDG), the sliding model overestimates the temperatures experienced by the finished workpiece surface. These situations are re-analysed using sliding sources and inclined sources to estimate contact surface temperatures and subsurface temperatures in grinding. Convection in the abrasive contact region to the process fluid, to the grinding wheel and to the chip material removed is taken into account. It is shown that each of these effects can predominate under different process conditions. Case studies illustrate the importance of thermal processes in achieving efficient material removal. The results for HEDG are particularly interesting and suggest that under the right conditions specific energy may be self-limiting. This is offered as a possible explanation for the efficiency of the process.