CNC Grinding – Grinding Technologies for Maximum Dimensional and Geometric Accuracy 

CNC grinding is a subtractive manufacturing process in which a rotating grinding tool with geometrically undefined cutting edges removes material from the workpiece surface. The CNC control precisely regulates feed, depth of cut, and dressing cycles,enabling reproducible dimensional, geometric, and surface accuracy even in hard materials. Grinding  typically occurs at the end of the process chain, producing the required final quality. 

The range spans rotationally symmetrical shafts and chucked components to camshafts and pump rings, as well as gear wheels, ball screws, and pressure cylinders. The deciding factors are geometry, hardness, and quality requirements: Cylindrical parts are machined using cylindrical grinding, out-of-round contours using out-of-round grinding, and hardened chucked components are often machined using a combination of hard turning and grinding. 

EMAG offers a coordinated portfolio: cylindrical grinding (HG series) for high-volume production of shafts and cylinder parts, Universal Grinding (UG series) for complete-machining of complex geometries, out-of-round grinding for camshafts and pump rings, and the combination of hard turning and grinding for chucked and shaft parts in hard finishing. Synchro support grinding rounds out the portfolio for slender, unstable shafts. 

Flat shoulders and non-critical surfaces are hard turned first. Bores, tapers, and quality-critical O/Ds are then pre-ground and finished on the same machine. For gear wheels, for example, grinding removes only a few hundredths of a millimeter of material, allowing short grinding times and a wheel-specific tool design. All operations happen in a single setup. 

For shaft machining, the UG series of universal grinding machines, the HG series of CNC cylindrical grinding machines, and the VT series of vertical machines are available. Beyond cylindrical grinding, the VT series also handles synchronous support grinding and the combined hard turning and grinding process. For demanding camshafts,  the SK and SN series handle curve and cam grinding, while the PM series is built for crankshafts. 

The automotive industry and its suppliers are the largest market – for camshafts, crankshafts, transmission components, and bearing rings. General machinery manufacturing, aerospace, and tool and mold making industries also rely on EMAG grinding technologies. CNC grinding machines are essential wherever hardened materials must be machined with the highest precision. 

Combining multiple grinding processes on a single machine reduces the number of systems needed, lowers investment and operating costs, and shortens lead times. CBN- grinding wheels can also reduce the main lead time compared to conventional wheels, while offering a longer service life. Integrating hard turning and grinding virtually eliminates setup and transport times – a key lever for streamlining series and mass production.