Many machining services center around cutting, boring, and milling. However, grinding jobs are important to the industry because they can serve many purposes. In fact, jig grinding offers many benefits and here is more about the process and the many advantages it has to offer.
How Does a Jig Grinder Work?
To help explain, let’s make a comparison with jigsaws. Jig grinders work like shop jigsaws which are mounted vertically, and the operator brings the unit (with saw blade) down onto the workpiece. With this setup, it’s possible to cut many shapes and sizes in a wide range of materials. Years ago, these machines operated manually, but today, shops use CNC machines. This makes it possible to create complex and intricate shapes time and time again with great precision. But how does this relate to a jig grinder?
Jig grinders use a similar process to shop jigsaws except they use grinding tools. Instead of cutting elaborate shapes and patterns, jig grinding smooths, bores, and finishes internal and external surfaces. In fact, a CNC jig grinder can finish material to high tolerances. For example, suppose you need to make hydraulic manifolds. Perhaps you’re rebuilding an internal combustion engine. You may need internal diameters finished to .60 of an inch or more.
How High-Speed Grinders Work
In order to perform precision grinding work, you need specialized equipment. Some large jig grinders have hydraulic components, air compressors, and two separate cooling systems. They need one system to keep the machine components cool and another one to deliver coolant to the grinding area. It’s important to use the right amount of coolant, especially with heat-treated metals.
Finding the Right Source
Precision grinding takes expensive equipment and people with years of experience in the business. If you need jig grinding, make sure and choose a shop with decades of experience and a reputation for high-quality work.