When we need to manufacture a material with the desired finish and dimension, we use the grinding machining process. There is a wide range of smoothing methods, so it is important to choose the right machining process for the intended application. Failure to do so could jeopardize the quality and output of your project. Two common methods are Blanchard and precision grinding. Read on to learn the difference between these two types of smoothing methods, so you can better choose the process that meets your manufacturing application needs.

Grinding Blanchard

Blanchard grinding is a machining process that is commonly known as rotary surface grinding. It was developed in the early 1900s by a company called the Blanchard Machine Company. The most common application for rotary surface smoothing is the removal of large-area material. For this application, precision grinding is preferred because it is simply cheaper. It is also preferred for the distinguishable marks it leaves on the surface finish. They are considered aesthetically attractive to some people.

For grinding large ferrous metals (containing iron) materials with this machining method, it is common to use magnets to hold it in place while grinding continues. On the other hand, it still works well with non-ferrous metals that do not contain iron or other trace ferrous elements, as long as alternative locking devices are used. That’s because non-ferrous materials are not magnetic.

Examples of Blanchard grinding applications:

• prints
• Foundry
• forges
• Sectioned Plate Stock
• molds
• go dead

Precision ground

If you have a small surface area to work with, then precision grinding is the right machining process for the job. This method is primarily used for materials with small surface areas that require an exceptionally flat finish or a strict level of parallelism. Other forms of precision grinding also exist, such as horizontal spindle surface grinding, which uses a rotating abrasive wheel that contacts the surface of the material. Cylindrical grinding is another type of precision grinding and is very similar to horizontal spindle surface grinding. The main difference is that it is used for rounded surfaces. Additional types include centerless grinding, creep grinding, and bore grinding.

Abrasives commonly used for precision grinding include aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and zirconium alumina. And sometimes lubricants are used to regulate high temperatures during grinding. Common applications for precision grinding include machine components, castings, stampings, shafts, bushings, pistons, cylinders, dies and molds.