External Grinding Machine & External Diameter Grinder

OD grinding is grinding occurring on external surface of an object between the centers. The centers are end units with a point that allow the object to be rotated. The grinding wheel is also being rotated in the same direction when it comes in contact with the object. This effectively means the two surfaces will be moving opposite directions when contact is made which allows for a smoother operation and less chance of a jam up.


Overview

The external grinder is a type of grinding machine used to shape the outside of an object. The external grinder can work on a variety of shapes, however the object must have a central axis of rotation. This includes but is not limited to such shapes as a cylinder, an ellipse, a cam, or a crankshaft.

Cylindrical grinding is defined as having four essential actions:
1、The work (object) must be constantly rotating
2、The grinding wheel must be constantly rotating
3、The grinding wheel is fed towards and away from the work
4、Either the work or the grinding wheel is transversed with respect to the other.

Specification

This machine applicable objects:Punch,Nozzle,Small spindle,Small outer diameter grinding related components

Technical parameters Unit ZH-01
Clamping working diameter mm Φ1-25
Max travel Horizontal mm 40
Longitudital mm 70
Work head rotation speed rpm 0-180
Working head rotation angle ° ±5°
Spindle speed rpm 7500
Spindle motor HP 0.75
Machine dimensions(L*W*H) mm 600*500*1500
Machine weight kg 160
Working range mm Φ0.3-25

 

Grinding head section

The machine adopts a precision spindle with minimal spindle runout, and comes with a standard grinding wheel. Customized or optional shaped grinding wheels are available based on specific needs.

Clamping part

The workpiece is held by a precision clamp, which has high precision. Compared with roller clamp, it can ensure the finish of workpiece surface and leave no clamping marks after grinding.

Operating handle

The left and right feeds are controlled by a hand bar, while the front and back feeds are controlled by a hand wheel. With the assistance of a positioning device and precision digital display, the grinding wheel feed can be precisely controlled.

Digital display section

The machine is equipped with two-axis digital display with an accuracy of 0.001mm, which assists in daily grinding control and ensures precision workpiece grinding.

Angle plate

The machine is equipped with a large angle plate with a range of positive and negative 45 degrees, which allows for flexible angle adjustments to meet the needs of workpiece grinding at different angles.

Standard configuration

The machine comes with a water tank and cooling device, one high-brightness LED work light, one trimming seat, one circular trimming seat, and a set of hex wrenches and tools.

Frequently Asked Questions About External Grinding Machines

What is an external cylindrical grinding machine?

An external cylindrical grinding machine (OD grinder) is a precision machine tool used to grind the outer diameter of cylindrical workpieces such as shafts, rods, pins, and sleeves. It uses a rotating grinding wheel to remove material and achieve tight dimensional tolerances (down to ±0.001mm) and superior surface finishes (Ra 0.2µm or better).

What are the main types of external grinding machines?

The main types include: (1) Plain cylindrical grinders for general OD grinding, (2) CNC cylindrical grinders with automated control for high-production environments, (3) Universal cylindrical grinders capable of both internal and external grinding, (4) Centerless grinders for high-volume production without workpiece centering, and (5) Crankshaft grinders for automotive components.

What tolerance can external grinding machines achieve?

Modern CNC external grinding machines can achieve dimensional tolerances of ±0.001mm to ±0.005mm depending on the machine configuration and grinding parameters. Surface finishes of Ra 0.1-0.4µm are routinely achieved. Multi-pass grinding with roughing, semi-finishing, and finishing stages enables both high material removal rates and precision finishing in a single setup.

What materials can be ground with external grinding machines?

External grinding machines can process a wide range of materials including hardened steels, tool steels, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum alloys, titanium, and superalloys. The choice of grinding wheel (aluminum oxide, CBN, or diamond) depends on the workpiece material. CBN wheels are preferred for hardened ferrous materials, while diamond wheels are used for non-ferrous hard materials.

How do I choose the right external grinding machine?

Key factors to consider include: (1) Maximum workpiece diameter and length, (2) Required tolerances and surface finish, (3) Production volume (batch vs. mass production), (4) Material type and hardness, (5) Available floor space and power supply, (6) Automation requirements (manual, CNC, or fully automated with robot loading), and (7) Budget. SinoGrind offers machines from compact manual models to full CNC systems with auto-loading.