High-speed plunge-cut centreless grinding opens up enormous potential for the manufacturing of difficult-to-machine materials and to improve the surface quality while reducing the grinding forces. For this investigation, a new grinding wheel base body of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) was developed to achieve grinding wheel speeds up to 150 m/s in plunge-cut centreless grinding of hardened shafts. For evaluation of the performance characteristics, the grinding forces and the surface quality of different grinding tools were detected. These experiments were conducted using a newly developed measuring system to analyse the grinding forces in the workrest blade. The experimental results are described and discussed in this article.

Due to continuous tool engagement, turning processes tend to form long chips when machining ductile materials. These chip shapes have a negative influence on process performance and productivity. One approach to improve chip breakage is superimposition of vibrations in feed direction of the turning process, which leads to a modulation of uncut chip thickness. In a joint industrial project with Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Fraunhofer IWU developed an oscillating actuator for turning. The actuator converts a rotational movement of a drive motor into a translational vibration via an eccentric gear. The tool shank is mounted in solid joint assemblies. With this prototypical system, a cyclic movement of the tool in feed direction can be realized. The typical operating parameters of the actuator is within the range of 1...100 Hz with adjustable vibration amplitudes up to 0.6 mm peak-to-peak. A significant improvement in chip breaking during the machining of steel 1.0503 was shown in cutting tests.