Innovative utilisation of waterjet turning for form customisation of grinding wheels

Waterjet (WJ) turning is a technology that still tries to find its niche field of application where it can be economically viable. The paper reports on a particular application of WJ turning that proved its technological and economical capability, i.e. profiling, dressing and patterning of grinding wheels. The process is employed both through cutting and milling mode to shape and pattern grinding wheel at required geometrical/dimensional specifications; this can be done using both plain and abrasive waterjetting. Not only is the WJ capable to generate intricate shapes of the abrasive wheels in less than 20% of the time required by conventional technologies (i.e. single/multiple-point dressing) but also gives a unique opportunity to pattern, e.g. (non)synchronous zig-zag, the active part of the wheels to enable enhanced cooling of the grinding process. Description of the methods, jet path strategies and challenges of this technology are included.