Rubber Control Wheel
A control wheel is a regulating wheel used for centerless grinding machines (centerless grinding machines).
Centerless grinding machines are widely used as a low-cost mass-production machining method because they do not require pre-processing to support the workpiece, as is the case with centerless drilling, and the entire surface of the workpiece is supported for machining, resulting in less deflection of the workpiece.
Product Details
▼ Requirements for Control Wheels
- ① The surface must be flat, and roundness and cylindricity must be maintained, with minimal friction.
- ② The control wheel should be an elastic material capable of absorbing shocks.
- ③ The coefficient of friction between the workpiece and the control wheel must be high.
Given these conditions, rubber is the most suitable bonding material for control wheels.
▼ Selection of Control Wheels
- ① Abrasives: Standard abrasives are A, while high-grade (high durability, high friction) wheels use AZ abrasives.
- ② Grit Size: The standard is #150. The selection of grit size affects the slip and accuracy of the workpiece.
- ③ Bonding: The standard bonding for control wheels is R.
The standard abrasive for control wheels is A abrasive. Although A abrasive is less aggressive than WA abrasive, control wheels do not perform grinding tasks, making the toughness of A abrasive more suitable.
If slipping occurs on a workpiece with a grit size of #150, coarser grit should be used to increase grip strength.
This mechanism is similar to driving on icy roads with studded tires. By comparing the rubber of the tire to the bonding of the control wheel and the metal studs to the abrasive grains, the concept becomes easier to understand.
If the metal studs are smaller and more numerous, each individual stud's ability to grip the ice diminishes, and increasing the number of studs results in slipping. Conversely, coarser and larger grains increase grip strength.
However, coarser grit reduces the contact area between the control wheel and the workpiece, leading to instability and reduced workpiece accuracy. When high precision is required, finer grit is used to increase the contact area, resulting in greater stability and improved accuracy.
In recent years, with the push for higher precision and superabrasives in centerless grinding, A abrasive alone is sometimes insufficient. For applications requiring high wear resistance, high-grade control wheels using AZ (zirconia) abrasives are available as a solution.
Product shape list
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| 1A (Straight) Type | 5A (One-Side Recessed) Type | 7A (Double-Side Recessed) Type |