Thread Grinder Guide

Thread grinders are specific kind of grinding machines that can do threads grinding with its grinding wheel. This is a metal machining process for threads achieved on a grinding machine using specially dressed grinding wheels matching the shape of the threads. The process is usually used to produce accurate threads. Different from normal grinding process, threads grinding is a type of threading by grinders during which a CNC machinery with an abrasive grinding wheel is utilized to cut the threads of the targeted screws.

More importantly, screw threads created through threads grinding process have to be able to meet custom backlash requirements and tight tolerances requested by the users. So the outputs are thus meaningful. There are several types of grinding machines with grinding wheels, such as external grinder, internal grinder, roll grinder, surface grinder, and many other custom types of advanced grinders. In regard to the screw threads making grinding machines, it is about external and threading, while the processing is rather complicated so that professional manufacturers may tend to use threads grinding over thread rolling.

Furthermore, thread grinding process also allows for threads to be cut after the material has been heat-treated, or for threads to be cut on a complex design part through the grinding wheels. This could achieve various results, so this type of thread grinder is very useful and practical.


Thread Grinding Applications

A common application of thread grinding is ball screw mechanisms and spindle locknuts. Spindle locknut is one kind of precision component. The spindle itself that drives the grinding wheels is a precision unit too. It is the core part of machine tools. The accuracy of the spindle’s outer thread can affect the accuracy of the final assembly. Many locknut suppliers know it is important to introduce outer thread grinding machines from Europe and America so that the working accuracy is accurate enough as well as the repeatability. Wheels also need to be modified based on the grinding process and the category of wheels is also a wide inventory. 

Through gripping the work piece with two lathe centers, manufacturers assure the concentricity and the verticality of the outer thread, so the spindles meet requirement for the spindle assembling standard. Aside from grinding the outer thread of the spindle units by grinders through wheels, many grinder manufacturers also provide various grinding service for machinery parts and components, such as items like wheels, pull rod for spindle and pull rod for milling machines. 


Thread Grinding in Plastics Application

Besides the metal working component processing, thread grinding process is also critical for manufacturers in the plastics injection industry. For a wide variety of plastic injection molds, many suppliers are capable of processing those special threads which can’t make out by normal CNC lathes and CNC milling machines with the grinding wheels installed on grinders. By using all kinds of abrasive materials on the grinding wheels, these grinder suppliers can process various die steels to meet the requirement orders for plastic injection molds for customers all over the world across different specifications.

Outer thread mold service is a significant part in the plastics and rubber industry. People who know this market and business opportunity know that the market share is booming now and the selling of wheels is a good business. However, only those who are able to do precision grinder machining can partake this market share with the excellent service quality. This precision machining requires not only good facility such as grinding wheels to do but also experienced experts to do the relevant molding calculation. 


Grinding Machines 

There is a huge number of CNC grinding machine inventory developed for different kinds of requirements. There are belt grinder, bench grinder, cylindrical grinder, surface grinder, tool & cutter grinder, jig grinder, gear grinder, die grinder, angle grinder, and roll grinder, just to name a few of them and actually the grinder inventory is so large that grinders are hard to be well classified because many customized grinders are designed with multiple functionalities. 

Although cylindrical grinding is nearly the same as roll grinding in most of the processing details, there are some critical differences between the two categories. Roll grinding method is developed specifically for certain issues that usually require machines that are designed for such heavy works.

Therefore, these grinder machines are larger in size, heavier in weight, and are more rigid if compared with plain cylindrical grinders. Normally, these grinder machines have no provision for doing tapered works and tasks. In ordinary grinding, rolls are commonly used in many industrial sectors for processing products, for paper, paint, steel, textiles, and rubber material processing. The length of the rolls varies from a few centimeters up to six meters or more, and throughout the length, a highly finished surface is required.

In practical usages, these rolls give sheet metal work pieces the high finish. This level of quality is required without polishing or further buffing. If the rolls are designed to be used for cold-forming metal, the great pressure between the work and the rolls would cause the rolls to spring apart at the center. Here, to do the screw making by grinding machines, it is commonly by external and threading, yet since the processing is very difficult, so professional manufacturers may tend to use thread grinding over thread rolling.

Need help searching for your next Thread Grinder ?

IMTS Exhibition includes manufacturers from around the world. Send us a message with your requirements and our IMTS Experts will happily help you with your questions.

0Inquiry Item Contact IMTS

International Manufacturing Teletrading Sources (IMTS) is your key to unlock the door to the industry from anywhere around the world, at any time.