Introduction to Precision Grinding
Precision grinding is a crucial process in manufacturing, often used when standard machining processes can’t achieve the required tolerances or specifications. At Grind Lap, we specialize in solving problems that arise during the manufacturing process, particularly when it comes to achieving precise dimensions and surface finishes.
When Do You Need Precision Grinding?
You might need our services if:
- Your parts are warping or bending during machining and/or heat treating
- You can’t hold the tolerances specified in your drawings
- You’re unable to achieve the desired results with your in-house equipment and personnel
- You need to process materials that come with inherent inconsistencies
Specific examples:
- You’re machining a part and drilling a hole causes the material to warp
- You’re working with heat-treated steel sheets that have scale and are not flat
- You need to prepare 1000 identical pieces of material for an automated machine process
Our Capabilities
At Grind Lap, we offer a range of precision grinding services, including:
- Blanchard grinding
- Centerless grinding
- Double Disc Grinding
- Hard Turning
- Honing
- ID Grinding
- Lapping
- OD Grinding
We can work with various materials, including:
- Steel (both magnetic and non-magnetic)
- Aluminum
- Inconel
- Titanium
Our equipment and expertise allow us to handle jobs that many shops can’t, such as processing large volumes of material to consistent specifications.
The Grind Lap Advantage
Experience
We have over 300 years of combined production experience in our facility. This depth of knowledge allows us to tackle complex grinding jobs with confidence.
Specialized Equipment
We invest in heavy-duty, specialized grinding equipment that most shops can’t justify owning. For example, we have 20,000-pound machines capable of handling large-scale grinding jobs that might only be needed a few times a year by a typical shop.
Certifications
We are ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) certified, which is crucial for many government and military contracts.
How We Can Work Together
- Preparing Raw Materials
- Example: We can take 150 pieces of “wonky” steel and make them all consistent, preparing them for further machining.
- Case study: A customer ordered 192 sheets of steel that arrived bent and with scale from heat treating. We cleaned them up and made them flat for their machining process.
- Correcting Manufacturing Issues
- Example: If you’re having issues holding roundness or a shoulder length on a journal.
- Processing Inconsistent Materials
- Example: When you buy steel in bulk, there can be inconsistencies in thickness or flatness. We can process these materials to ensure uniformity before you begin your manufacturing process.
- Specific scenario: Steel bought in rolls often has bent corners or inconsistencies between the middle and end of the sheet. We grind or lap these down to the same size and thickness.
What We Need From You
To provide an accurate quote and ensure we meet your needs, please provide:
- Detailed drawings of your part
- Specifications of the grinding required (tolerances, surface finish, etc.)
- Material type and current condition
- Quantity of parts
- Deadline for completion
Note: Please be sure to specify all requirements upfront. If you need additional processes beyond basic grinding (e.g., specific edge treatments), let us know in the initial request.
Understanding Technical Terms
- Stock: The amount of extra material provided for removal during the grinding process. More stock generally means more grinding time, which affects cost. For example, if a part is warped by five thousandths of an inch, we need at least that much stock to remove to make it flat.
- Tolerance: The acceptable range of variation in a dimension. For example, steel might be sold as a quarter-inch thick, plus or minus 10 thousandths of an inch.
- ITAR: International Traffic in Arms Regulations, a certification required for certain government and military contracts.
For more technical terms, you can check out our Grind Lap Glossary!
Pricing and Turnaround Time
Our pricing is based on several factors:
- Complexity of the grinding job
- Amount of material to be removed (stock)
- Volume of parts
- Material type
- Required turnaround time
We strive to provide quick turnaround times. For urgent jobs, please let us know your deadline when requesting a quote. In some cases, we can provide a ballpark quote over the phone for simpler jobs.
Quality Assurance
Quality is assumed in our work. We have rigorous quality control processes in place to ensure that your parts meet the specified tolerances and requirements. Our vast experience allows us to anticipate and prevent many common issues before they occur.
How to Get Started
- Contact us with your project details
- We’ll review your requirements and may ask for additional information
- We’ll provide a quote based on your specifications
- Once approved, we’ll schedule your job and keep you updated on progress
Remember, the more detailed information you can provide upfront, the more accurately we can quote and plan your job.
FAQs
Q: Do you work with one-off custom jobs or only large volumes?
A: We work with both. About 95% of our work is for custom job shops, while 5% is for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
Q: What if I’m not sure about the grinding process I need?
A: Our experienced team can help guide you. We’ll ask questions about your project and requirements to determine the best grinding solution. We often educate customers about aspects they might not have considered, like the importance of stock in grinding.
Q: Do you offer any services besides grinding?
A: While grinding is our specialty, we’re happy to discuss your project requirements. We may be able to recommend solutions or partners for other machining needs.
Q: How do your machines compare to what I might have in my shop?
A: Our specialized grinding machines are often much larger and more precise than what’s typically found in a general machine shop.
Contact Grind Lap today to discuss your precision grinding needs. Let us help you achieve the precision and quality your projects demand.
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