Investigation of the effects of wheel surface topography and coolant-lubricant types on wheel loading in grinding of Inconel 738 using image processing method

Wheel loading in the grinding process is inevitable due to the chips arrangement separated from the surface of the workpiece in the gap between the grains. The amount of this loading depends on the factors such as workpiece material, grinding parameters, coolant-lubricant conditions and wheel surface topography. Determining the time to remove the chips from the wheel surface is one of the important variables in the grinding process, preventing the chips from sticking to the surface of the wheel and thus increasing the roughness of the surface. There are several methods for analyzing and monitoring the condition of wheel surface. In this study the influence of dressing condition and coolant-lubricant environments on the wheel surface loading has been investigated using image processing in python software. Using the examination of wheel surface images in pre and post grinding process of Inconel 738 under various condition of coolant-lubricant, optimal conditions for grinding wheel surface topography as well as workpiece feed rate are provided to prevent excessive loading.