3D Simulation of Regular Surface Texturing on Free Form Surfaces by Using Patterned Grinding Process

Abstract

Surface texturing is a process of generating patterns on the surface of a workpiece to provide functionality or for aesthetic reasons. Grinding is one of the cheapest yet indispensable method used for surface texturing. In texturing by grinding process, the grinding wheel needs to have a particular shapes or patterns such as helical grooves on its peripheral surface. These patterns are then printed on the surface of workpiece upon grinding i.e. by the relative motion of the wheel and the workpiece. The pattern shapes depends on various factors such as grinding cutting speed, feed rate and geometry of the helical groove. Prediction of patterns on the freeform surface prior to texturing process by 3D simulation built over mathematical model is very crucial. If the textured patterns are predictable, various grinding parameters can be determined easily. This paper presents a 3D simulation environment for the prediction of patterns on freeform surfaces.