Diamond grinding wheels for grinding indexable inserts

Indexable inserts made from carbide, cermet, or PCD/PCBN place high demands on the cutting edge, form, and surface. External cylindrical grinding and surface grinding must therefore be considered as a coordinated process sequence.

For these tasks, EHWA describes diamond and CBN grinding wheels with a resin or hybrid bond. The tools are designed for series and large-series production.

Two grinding tasks, one component

External cylindrical grinding machines the peripheral and clearance faces. Surface grinding targets the flat reference faces. Both steps affect the functional geometry of the insert.

The choice of wheel should therefore not consider material alone. Edge requirements, dressing strategy, cycle time, machine, and cooling concept also belong to this decision.

Diamond, CBN, and bond

EHWA specifies diamond for carbide, cermet, and ceramic. CBN is listed for PCBN substrates and hardened steels.

Resin bonds and hybrid bonds are available. EHWA associates hybrid bonds with high profile stability and short cycle times. The specific choice remains an application-specific task.

Product range and specification

The product range covers external cylindrical and surface grinding wheels. Grit sizes from B46 to B181 and diameters from 75 to 400 mm are listed; special dimensions up to 500 mm are possible.

These values describe a framework. They do not replace a specification, since concentration, bond, and geometry are adapted to stock removal, tool life, and process requirements.

Assessing thermal load and edge quality together

When grinding inserts, thermal load and edge quality must be assessed together. EHWA names reproducible edge preparation, form retention, and controlled material removal as process goals.

Whether these goals are achieved depends on the tool, material, parameters, coolant, and dressing. Blanket performance figures cannot be transferred to every application.

Information for technical coordination

For a targeted tool design, information on material, insert geometry, machined face, machine concept, desired edge, coolant, and dressing strategy is helpful.

This allows the grinding wheel to be matched to the real task — from roughing to finishing.

Technical consulting

Would you like to discuss your application with us? Contact: genc@ehwadia.de