Case Study: University of Toledo, Precision Micro
                     Machining Center  - Novemeber 15-17, 2002

Original Condition  

The University of Toledo’s Precision Micro Machining Center (PMMC) accepted a research and development contract from ILJIN Diamond Co., LTD. of Seoul, Korea to test a proprietary Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) grinding compound.  The PMMC did not have adequate CNC grinding machinery or expertise to conduct the tests.  Dr. Ioan D. Marinescu, Executive Director of the PMMC, contacted the Institute for Manufacturing Productivity for assistance.

 IMP Assistance

The IMP assembled a multi-disciplinary team of Okuma Grinding Application Engineers and York Technical College Machine Tool Technology Instructors to design the method, work-holding fixtures, and grinding wheel adaptors.  The multi-disciplinary team also machined the required fixtures and adaptors, implemented the design, and performed the tests with the Okuma CNC Grinder GU-34S with OSP 500 G-G control.  The following tests were performed on the sample products:

• Hardness

• Diameter (before and after the tests)

• Radial runout

• Lateral runout

The following tests were performed on the process during the tests

• Grinding wheel power in watt

The following parameters were controlled during the tests:

• Grinding wheel speed

• Work speed / Wheel speed

•  Infeed

The following personnel were in observance:

• Mr. Seung Woo, Nam of Seoul, Korea

• Dr. Radu Pavel, Chief Engineer, PMMC, University of Toledo

York Technical College Machine Tool Technology Dept. Head, Tom Dickerson, P.E. performing hardness test on samples in the IMP Metrology Laboratory.

Multi-functional team from left, Mr. Seung Woo Nam of Seoul, Korea, Mr. Tom Dickerson, P.E. of York Technical College, Mr. Rob Titus of Okuma, Mr. David Fisher of Okuma, and Dr. Radu Ravel of the University of Toledo.

Summary:

The Institute for Manufacturing Productivity provided the required assistance to the Precision Micro Machining Center at the University of Toledo for conducting CNC grinding tests on proprietary experimental Cubic Boron Nitride grinding wheels.  The IMP assembled and coordinated a multi-functional team with York Technical College instructors, Okuma Application Engineers, and state-of-the-art Okuma CNC Grinding machinery to perform the necessary tests.

Economic Impact:

Not available due to the proprietary nature of this research and development project.