How does a grinding machine remove material from a metal part?

A grinding machine removes material from a metal part by bringing the workpiece into contact with a rotating abrasive wheel, known as a grinding wheel. This process effectively shears away small chips of metal to achieve precise dimensions or a smooth surface finish.12

The grinding wheel itself is a cutting tool manufactured by bonding abrasive granules—typically silicon carbide or aluminum oxide—with a binding agent. A key feature of this tool is that it is self-sharpening: as the abrasive grains on the wheel's periphery become dull during operation, they break off to expose fresh, sharp cutting edges.34

The specific material removal process depends on the machine type and the movement of the workpiece relative to the wheel:
* Cylindrical grinding: The workpiece is rotated while being fed against the wheel.3
* Internal grinding: A small wheel moves back and forth inside a hollow workpiece held in a rotating chuck.3
* Surface grinding: The workpiece is held on a table that traverses back and forth under the rotating wheel.3