When choosing which lapping machine to purchase, several different factors must be carefully considered. Not only is a poor manufactured grinding machine potentially dangerous to those using it; it will also fail to its job well. To avoid wasting time and money, it?s best to be well-educated about lapping table machines, and other such grinding machines, before making a final purchase.
What Exactly Is Lapping?
?Lapping? refers to the machining process by which two surfaces are rubbed together with an abrasive piece between them. The motion is created either by hand motion or a machine. Ultimately, the goal of a lapping table or another grinding machine is to create a flat, smooth surface. There are many ways in which this process can go wrong without the right machine. For example, if the important grinding machine components are out of sync by 0.001? ? otherwise known as 25.4 microns ? the consequences could be significant, including those of poor part quality.
How Is Flatness Measured?
It?s vital to know how flatness ? or ?surface accuracy? ? is measured in terms of lapping tables. This way, one can know exactly which machine to buy, and what results it will yield. Usually, flatness or surface accuracy is measured by Helium Light Bands. One HLB equals about 0.000011 inches. A lapping table with a low number ? like 10, 16, or 24 0– can be expected to have wheels with coarse grains. A higher number, on the other hand ? like 70, 100, or 180 ? will yield a fine grit wheel. One should choose carefully when deciding which ?number? to choose, as they will produce vastly different degrees of flatness.
What Are The Different Types Of ?Bonds??
Another factor to consider when choosing a lapping machine is the type of bond its wheel uses. Different bonds correspond better to different rates of speed, and this, like the HLB, greatly affects the end result of the process. Conventional grinding wheels usually come in three principle types. These types include vitrified bonds, resinoid bonds, and rubber bonds. Wheels with vitrified bonds, for example, most often run at speeds less than 6,500 surface feet per minute. Comparatively, organic bond wheels are generally used in correspondence with wheels running between 6,500 and 9,500 surface feet per minute.
If a lapping table is properly researched, then it can be an excellent tool that is necessary for nearly any kind of craftsman who wishes to produce a flat surface. However, this abrasive machine can also completely ?botch? a job if the wrong HLB number is chosen, or the wrong bond for that matter. In this case, it?s the responsible of the buyer to know what they?re purchasing. The informed purchase of a grinding machine will produce the results necessary, with great quality.