Theoretical modeling and experimental research on the depth of radial material removal for flexible grinding

As a difficult-to-cut metallic material with excellent characteristics, titanium alloy has been widely used in the field of aero-engines. In this study, a series of grinding experiments of titanium alloy was carried out with the abrasive belt flap wheel. The effects of spindle speed n , feed speed V w , workpiece curvature radius R 2 , and radial theoretical grinding depth a e on the material removal depth are investigated. Meanwhile, a noval approach to determine the depth of radial material removal was established based on the Hertz elastic contact theory, Preston equation, and the principle of equivalent material removal volume. The results obtained show that the radial material removal depth increases with the increase of the radial theoretical grinding depth and decreases with the increase of the workpiece curvature radius and the spindle speed, and the feed speed has almost no effect on it. Finally, the measured value is compared with the calculated value, and the absolute error is mostly less than 10%, which verifies the reliability and accuracy of the prediction model.