ID/OD universal grinders belong to the center type family of cylindrical grinding machines. The basic construction of a universal grinding machine is almost same as a plain grinding machine. However, some advanced features and auxiliary attachments make the first one suitable to execute more universal machining processes. The principle difference between these two types of cylindrical grinding machines is this: Both the wheel head and work head can be swiveled in universal type grinders, where plain grinders don’t offer this feature. The headstock can also be set at a desired angle in these grinding systems rather than a fixed right angle.
Universal grinders are generally classified into two types regardless of their applications: Inside diameter (ID) and outside diameter (OD) universal grinders. The grinding that occurs on the external faces or outside diameters of an object is frequently called OD grinding. This is done by the periphery of the grinding wheel. On the other hand, ID grinding systems are used to grind the inside diameter of an object. A collet is used in order to hold the object in a place and to rotate it.
Universal grinders are best suited for tool room applications because of their very high versatility. These machines can execute face, internal, and surface grinding. This includes tapered surface grinding using auxiliary attachments. It is also possible to carry out taper plunge grinding and plunge cylindrical grinding on these machines. The universal type tool and cutter grinding machines are essentially designed for miscellaneous cutter sharpening.
The various operations which are possible on ID/OD universal grinders are:
- Cylindrical traverse grinding
- Form grinding with table traverse
- Plunge cylindrical grinding
- Taper grinding by tilting the table
- Taper grinding table by tilting the wheel head
- Surface grinding by swiveling the work head by 90 degree
- Face grinding