Grinding machines produce fine finishes or make light cuts with a wheel, belt or disc made of stone, diamond or other abrasive material. A grinder machine can be bench-mounted, floor-mounted, stationary, hand-held, portable, mounted on a tool post or installed on a robotic arm.
Grinding machine manufacturers offer manual and computer numerical control (CNC) grinding equipment for the metalworking, medical and aerospace industries, to name a few. Whether you need a glass grinding or valve grinding machine, metal grinding machine, surface grinding machine or tool grinding machine, suppliers have them all and can help you find what you need. When you shop for grinding machinery, keep some basic things in mind.
1. The final shape and size of your product will help determine the type of grinder machine to buy.
2. The material you use to make your product also influences your decision on what type of grinding machines you look at.
3. The cost of industrial grinders varies by type of grinder and whether the grinder is new or used, and may determine what type of grinder you buy.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find grinding machines based on the shape of your product
Grinding machines grind flat, cylindrical, tapered and irregular surfaces using different types of machines or applications. Look for grinding machines based on what shape they can do.
I recommend: DCM Inc.'s Industrial Rotary Surface Grinders line offers the IG 280 M Rotary Grinder for any flat grinding application in the tool room or production floor.
Precision Abrasive Machinery, Inc. offers the Automatic Plunge Grinder for straight and angular forms on carbide blanks.
Buy grinding machines based on the material your product is made from
You may be looking specifically for concrete grinding machines, wood grinding equipment, plastic grinding machines, metal grinding machines or glass grinders. Check out types of grinders based on the materials they grind.
I recommend: MAX-TEK Superabrasive Machines offer HGC Series Horizontal Grinding Centers for materials like Inconel, Rene, stainless steel and nickel used mainly in the aerospace industry.
CMS North America provides the Deltagrind 4, which grinds glass sheets of any shape.
Look into used or wholesale grinding machines
If you're on a budget, you may want to explore the possibility of finding used grinding machines or ones sold at wholesale prices. You can find great deals if you look for them.
I recommend: Westbrook Engineering has a line of used grinders from various manufacturers. You can click on the camera icon on the website to see each one.
Advanced Machinery Companies offers a variety of used grinders including centerless and cylindrical.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Check out trade shows where grinding machine manufacturers and distributors will be demonstrating their products. Collect information and business cards so you can follow up.
- Ask colleagues who use grinding machines for the names of any companies they recommend that sell grinding machines.
The official source of Grinding Machines is the Grinding Machines page at Business.com