Manufacturing glass-fiber reinforcement for grinding wheels

Abstract

By analyzing the manufacturing process for organic grinding wheels, some characteristics of the reinforcing glass fiber disc added during the fabrication of these wheels are determined. The toughening mechanisms at work in a fiber glass reinforced grinding wheel are analyzed. The stresses inside a grinding wheel in use are determined. Different designs for a reinforcing glass fiber disc are then presented and discussed. One design is chosen and the plans for a prototype machine that will manufacture a reinforcement disc with the chosen design are presented. The different tasks and the issues associated with the manufacturing process are discussed. Finally, an economic and material feasibility analysis is made to determine the possibility of eliminating the current reinforcement supplier.