SShep71
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2014
- Location
- San Diego, Ca
I was asked about possibly grinding a single carbon fiber part on my cylindrical grinder, it is about 5" diameter and 8" long. I know that carbon fiber (CFRP) makes a mess, that it destroys machines if not properly worked, and there are the obvious health risks. I can only run a 7" diameter grinding wheel on the machine, and I will be working between centers. The machine does have flood and mist coolant as well as a dust extractor system, and the machine was strategically placed close to a man door for even better dust evacuation. I wanted to know if there were any special types of grinding wheels that would be best suited for this application. Would I be ok with a standard alum-oxide wheel, ceramic wheel, or composite wheel? What grit, hardness, bond size is best? Would I be better off with a diamond wheel in this instance?
I do not know the surface finish desired yet, although I don't predict I will be given one as this seems to be more of a size application not necessarily a surface finish application. From what I was told the part was wound with long strand fiber, vacuum bagged to remove air, and finally heated for cure. My intent is to grind between centers on the mandrel the part was originally set on. This is a new one for me as I know enough to be dangerous with traditional grinding of tool steels and other alloys, but nothing of the sort with respect to carbon fiber. If I get any additional information I will be sure to pass it along.
I do not know the surface finish desired yet, although I don't predict I will be given one as this seems to be more of a size application not necessarily a surface finish application. From what I was told the part was wound with long strand fiber, vacuum bagged to remove air, and finally heated for cure. My intent is to grind between centers on the mandrel the part was originally set on. This is a new one for me as I know enough to be dangerous with traditional grinding of tool steels and other alloys, but nothing of the sort with respect to carbon fiber. If I get any additional information I will be sure to pass it along.