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Why Is Elasticity Necessary in Grinding Stones? Aren't Grinding Stones Supposed to Be Hard? | Understanding the Mechanism of Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones
Conventional grinding stones are designed with high rigidity to remove material efficiently. For this reason, many people associate grinding stones with being "hard."
However, industrial grinding stones also include Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones, which are intentionally designed to have elasticity.
By incorporating elasticity, these grinding stones exhibit machining characteristics that differ from those of conventional grinding stones. As a result, they are used in processes such as deburring after grinding, polishing, and final finishing.
The purpose of adding elasticity to a grinding stone is not simply to make it softer. Rather, it is to improve conformity to the workpiece, contributing to better surface finishes and improved workability under various machining conditions.
This article explains why elasticity is necessary in grinding stones, how Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones work, how they differ from conventional grinding stones, and the types of machining applications in which they are used.
Why Is Elasticity Necessary in Grinding Stones?
The purpose of giving a grinding stone elasticity is to improve its ability to conform to the workpiece, making it easier to achieve stable machining under different machining conditions.
Conventional grinding stones are highly rigid and are generally designed to prioritize grinding performance and machining efficiency. Therefore, they are well suited for rough grinding and applications requiring high material removal.
In contrast, during processes such as deburring, polishing, and final finishing, there are many situations where the tool needs to follow the shape of the workpiece while avoiding unnecessary material removal.
This is particularly important when machining curved surfaces, complex geometries, or thin-walled components, where conformity to the workpiece can significantly influence the final finish.
To address these machining requirements, Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones with an appropriate level of elasticity are used.
Differences Between Conventional Grinding Stones and Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones
Conventional grinding stones and Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones are designed for different types of machining applications.
| Comparison Item | Conventional Grinding Stone | Elastic Rubber Grinding Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Rigidity | High | Moderate elasticity |
| Conformity to the Workpiece | Relatively low | High |
| Typical Applications | Grinding, rough grinding, and deburring | Fine deburring, polishing, and surface finishing |
| Machining Stability | Affected by machining conditions | Less prone to chatter or bouncing, making it easier to achieve a stable surface finish |
While highly rigid grinding stones are suitable for rough grinding, Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones may be more appropriate for finishing operations.
The important point is not that one type is superior to the other, but that each should be selected according to the machining application.
What Applications Are Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones Suitable For?
Because Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones conform to the shape of the workpiece during machining, they are commonly used in processes where high surface quality is required.
Conventional grinding stones have high rigidity and are well suited for applications requiring aggressive grinding performance. In contrast, grinding stones with elasticity conform more easily to the workpiece geometry and, depending on the machining conditions, may provide the following advantages:
- Easier conformity to curved surfaces and complex geometries
- Helps suppress localized overcutting, reducing excessive material removal and uneven machining
- Makes polishing scratches less noticeable, helping achieve a more uniform surface finish
- Less prone to bouncing and chatter, making stable machining easier
For these reasons, Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones are often used in processes such as deburring after grinding, polishing, and final finishing, where the objective is to improve surface quality by refining the machined surface.
Why Rubber Grinding Stones Have Elasticity
Rubber Grinding Stones have an appropriate level of elasticity because they use rubber as the bonding material.
A grinding stone generally consists of the following three elements:
- Abrasive grains (the part that actually removes material from the workpiece)
- Bonding material (the material that holds the abrasive grains in place)
- Pores (which help discharge chips and dissipate heat)
In a Rubber Grinding Stone, rubber is used as the bonding material. Another distinctive feature is that, unlike conventional grinding stones, it has a non-porous structure.
Rubber has the ability to deform significantly when force is applied and to return to its original shape once the force is removed. This property gives the grinding stone an appropriate level of elasticity, allowing it to conform more easily to the shape of the workpiece.
During machining, the rubber bond wears at an appropriate rate, allowing worn abrasive grains to be released while fresh abrasive grains are continuously exposed. This is known as the self-sharpening action.
As a result, the grinding stone tends to maintain its cutting performance and contributes to stable machining performance.
For more information about the structure and characteristics of Rubber Grinding Stones, please refer to our article, "What Is Rubber as a Grinding Stone? Features, Mechanism, and Applications of Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones."
Selecting the Right Grinding Stone for the Application
Selecting the appropriate grinding stone according to the machining application helps improve machining quality and efficiency.
For example:
- Conventional grinding stones are suitable for rough grinding.
- Elastic Rubber Grinding Stones, such as Rubber Grinding Stones, are suitable for intermediate and final finishing processes, including fine deburring, removal of machining marks, and polishing of weld beads.
The most suitable tool varies depending on the machining process.
Considering factors such as the workpiece material, geometry, and required surface quality when selecting a tool can lead to more efficient machining.
