Quick on-machine measurement of ground surface finish available for mass production cylindrical grinding processes

In mass production cylindrical grinding operations, the ground surface finish has never been measured in each grinding cycles because existing surface roughness testers take a relatively long time to measure surface finishes, and the introduction of a surface roughness tester in each grinding cycle would affect mass production processes. Therefore, the surface finish of all parts manufactured in a production lot is generally evaluated based on the measured results of only few parts by sampling checks. We have proposed a unique quick technique for measuring surface roughness. It uses electromotive force based on the slight frictional heat to evaluate the surface finish of cylindrical workpieces rotating on cylindrical grinding machines, and it can do this in a split second just after each grinding cycle, so it does not hamper mass production grinding processes. The proposed quick measurement system can capture the variations in surface finish in a set of repeated cylindrical grinding cycles without dressing. The possibility of accurate judging dressing time by using the quick measurement system in mass production grinding processes is shown experimentally.