Conditioning and monitoring of grinding wheels

The preparation of grinding tools is the most important enabling factor in the grinding process. It influences the material removal rate, the grinding forces, the surface quality as well as the material properties of the subsurface zone, and is the key issue for subsequent wear of grinding tools. The evolving and conventional conditioning technologies are reviewed based on technical and commercial aspects. Terms in the field of conditioning are defined. Strong emphasis today is put on the description and monitoring of the abrasive layer. For optimization of the dressing process, prediction of the grinding wheel topography and the ground surface are emerging scientific topics.