Discerning grinding capabilities can be difficult, as many types of grinding fall under the same category, but happen to use separate pieces of equipment. One prominent example of this is large Blanchard (or rotary) grinding and horizontal surface grinding. The difference between surface grinding and rotary grinding often comes down to several variables, including finish type, RMS, flatness/parallelism, and the amount of stock that can be removed.
With over 50 years of Blanchard grinding experience, Venango Machine Company is a leader in both both horizontal surface and rotary grinding, alongside other specialties such as platen design and manufacturing. Here, we will compare the operations of large Blanchard grinding with horizontal surface grinding and showcase Venango Machine’s grinding capabilities.
What is Large Blanchard Grinding?
Blanchard grinders are known worldwide as leaders in rotary grinding. In fact, Blanchard grinding and rotary grinding have become largely synonymous because Blanchard grinders are so well-known for their precision and quality. Blanchard grinders work by using a grinding head that rotates the grinding wheel on an axis perpendicular to the face of the head; meanwhile, the worktable rotates the material in the opposite direction.
Blanchard grinders then utilize horsepower to remove excess surface stock, leaving a cross-hatched surface finish and offering flatness and parallelism. These rotary surface grinders are available for both manual and CNC operations.
What is Horizontal Surface Grinding?
As a type of precision grinding, surface grinding is used to create a high degree of flatness, parallelism, and a superior surface finish. Surface grinding is utilized in applications requiring tight tolerances on flat surfaces. Perhaps the most common type of grinding, the process utilizes an abrasive grinding wheel covered with rough particles that remove fragments of metallic materials from the piece to form a much finer surface finish.
Surface grinders can be divided into two types according to their structural design, one being horizontal rotary surface grinders and the other being vertical rotary surface grinders. It is important to note that Venango only performs horizontal surface grinding. During this process, the head of a horizontal surface grinder is lowered onto the material, which is moved back and forth under the grinding wheel on the worktable. The worktable typically contains a magnetic chuck which will be used to hold the material in place.
Venango Uses Large Blanchard Grinders & Supertec Horizontal Surface Grinders Near Erie, Pa.
Venango Machine Company uses large Blanchard grinders with an 84” swing and a 72” magnetic chuck, as well as a Supertec horizontal surface grinder for flat horizontal grinding. The latter offers precision flatness, parallelism, a superior finish, and a low Ra finish obtained through minimal stock removal. Venango can accommodate precision tolerances on mold plates and maintain precision ground finishes on parts up to 118” long and 40” wide.
Venango has extensive experience working with mild steel, aluminum, stainless alloys, mold steels, forgings, and castings. They can also supply your material ground to size, eliminating multiple shipping costs. Contact Venango Machine Company today to discuss the best option for your Blanchard grinding or horizontal surface grinding needs near Erie, Pa.
