Dynamics of magnetic fluid support grinding of Si3N4 ceramic balls for ultraprecision bearings and its importance in spherical surface generation

Spherical surface generation mechanism is analyzed using magnetic fluid support grinding of ceramic balls as an example. Grinding experiments Of Si3N4 ceramic balls were carried out with an emphasis on investigating the effect of dynamic behavior of ball support system on the performance of ball grinding. In the experiment, four different types of supports were used, which are gum sheet/magnetic fluid support, steel sheet/magnetic fluid support, steel sheet/colloid fluid support and steel sheet/air support. It is found that the gum sheet/magnetic fluid support gives the fastest improvement in sphericity during grinding and the best sphericity among the four types of supports. The experimental results were discussed in terms of dynamic analysis, and it was concluded that dynamics of grinding system must be taken into consideration in order to understand comprehensively the spherical surface generation mechanism. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.