An investigation into the cylindrical grinding process applied to rubber workpieces

An investigation is reported into the parameters that influence the cylindrical grinding of rubber work pieces. Initially it was necessary to determine a suitable method of surface finish measurement for rubber surfaces. An extensive investigation justified the stylus method for surface finish determination. To measure tangential forces during the cylindrical grinding process a strain gauge based force dynamometer was developed, calibrated and successfully used during the research programme. Parameters investigated during the research programme included griding feed, speed, depth of cut, surface finish and tangential force. A semi-empirical mathematical model has been developed that provided the parameters used successfully in correlating the force measurements made during the investigation. A brief investigation was also undertaken into the surface grinding of rubber using a Kistler force measuring transducer to determine both tangential and normal forces during grinding