New wheel technology achieves higher throughputs and better micro-precision accuracy while nearly doubling the parts per wheel.
photo courtesy of Drake Manufacturing
This case study summarizes the successful application of HPL (High Performance Lubrication) Vitrified CBN wheels in a demanding application for Electronic Power Steering.
In this application, the customer was grinding the ball tracks in an EPS Steering Nut with a vitrified CBN wheel from another manufacturer. The application was demanding because of heavy stock removal, aggressive feeds, difficult coolant application, and asymmetrical loading of the grinding wheel. The trick was to find a wheel that was tough enough to stand up to the rigors of the application, while at the same time producing a smoother finish, a burn/crack-free surface, and reduced cost/part.
Enter HPL…
HPL combines a high concentration of premium grade CBN crystals with a durable, porous, and intrinsically lubricated bonding matrix, which allows faster, cooler, and more efficient grinding with less wheel wear. The technology was tailor-made for this application, and with HPL the customer was able to speed up the process and drastically reduce abrasive cost/part, while also improving the surface finish and eliminating the onset of cracks and burns. Below is a summary of the process and the results.
This case study is just one example of the benefits of this new technology. HPL can also produce impressive results in applications such as deep-bore fuel injection nozzles, lash adjusters and tappets, creep-feed grinding of tool steels & superalloys, and out-of-round grinding for punches. Stay tuned for additional case studies coming soon.
