Laser Dressing of Metal Bonded Diamond Wheel

In this study, a laser beam is used as a non-contact thermal dressing tool for a bronze bonded diamond wheel. The pulsed-Nd:YAG laser beam is irradiated on the wheel surface and the bond material partially removed by laser irradiation only. In order to efficiently remove the bond material, it is necessary to direct an air jet on the spot irradiated by the laser so as to blow away the molten binder before it solidifies again. Less damage of diamond particles such as micro-cracks or graphitization occurs. In grinding with a laser-dressed wheel, the grinding forces are almost the same as those for a conventionally dressed wheel. Consequently, effective laser dressing can be expected with the associated dressing conditions.