Evolution of Electroplated Cubic Boron Nitride Tool Surface Texture Parameters During Point Grinding

Point grinding is an abrasive machining process that utilizes small diameter superabrasive single-layer grinding tools for accurate machining of complex 3D geometries. Due to the small nature of these tools, high wear-rates and uneven wear around the tool circumference present a challenge for their successful application for the finish machining of metallic components. It is, therefore, essential to monitor the surface condition of the point grinding tools, to ensure their safe and reliable operation. In this investigation, the 3D topography evolution of single-layer B126 cubic boron nitride (cBN) point grinding tools was characterized using focus-variation imaging. Given the wealth of information obtained using this method, a decision-matrix methodology was used to identify the most important parameters for monitoring the wear condition of the point grinding tools. Grinding trials were also performed with fixed cutting parameters and varied cutting durations up to 520 mm(3) of material removed to assess the evolution of the point grinding tool surfaces over time as a result of wear during grinding of hardened D2 tool steel. The best criteria for the characterization of the surface texture of electroplated cBN point grinding tool surfaces were identified to be the average surface height (Sa), skewness (Ssk), root mean square gradient (Sdq), reduced peak height (Spk), peak material volume (Vmp), and developed interfacial area ratio (Sdr). These parameters performed best for direct measurement of point grinding tool surfaces, paving the way for the application of the imaging technique under manufacturing conditions as an on-machine monitoring method for performance assessment.