When we need to make a material with the desired finish and dimension, we use the grinding machining process. There is a wide range of smoothing methods, so it is important to choose the right machining process for the intended application. Failure to do so could jeopardize the quality and outcome of your project. Two common methods are blanchard and precision grinding. Read on to learn the difference between these two types of smoothing methods, so you can better choose the process that meets your manufacturing application needs.

Blanchard milling

Blanchard grinding is a machining process that is commonly known as rotary surface grinding. It was developed in the early 1900s by a company called the Blanchard Machine Company. The most common application for rotary surface smoothing is large surface material removal. Precision troweling is preferred for this application because it is simply more economical. It is also preferred for the distinguishable marks it leaves on the surface finish. They are considered aesthetically attractive to some people.

For grinding large ferrous metals (that contains iron) materials with this method of machining, it is common to use magnets to hold it in place while smoothing continues. On the other hand, it continues to work well with non-ferrous metals that do not contain iron or other trace ferrous elements, provided alternative closure devices are used. That’s because non-ferrous materials are not magnetic.

Examples of Blanchard grinding applications:

• prints
• Foundry
• forges
• Sectioned Plate Stock
• molds
• go dead

precision ground

If you have a small surface area to work with, then precision grinding is the right machining process for the job. This method is used primarily for materials with small surface areas that require an exceptionally flat finish or a strict level of parallelism. Other forms of precision grinding also exist, such as horizontal spindle surface grinding, which uses a rotating abrasive wheel that contacts the surface of the material. Cylindrical grinding is another type of precision grinding and is very similar to horizontal spindle surface grinding. The main difference is that it is used for rounded surfaces. Additional types include centerless grinding, inching grinding, and ID grinding.

Abrasives commonly used for precision grinding include aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and zirconium alumina. And sometimes, lubricants are used to regulate the high temperatures during grinding. Common applications for precision honing include machine components, castings, stampings, shafts, bushings, pistons, cylinders, dies, and molds.