Stochastic simulation approach to modelling diamond wheel topography

The paper presents a stochastic simulation of the structure of metal/resin bonded diamond grinding wheels. Various topographic indices, i.e. the protrusion height distribution, the static planar grain density, the distribution of inter-grain spacing and the percentage projected area due to exposed abrasives, are derived therefrom with reference to abrasive grit size and concentration. The simulation indicates that: (i) the protrusion height distribution of a freshly dressed wheel is uniform, and is independent of abrasive concentration, (ii) the inter-grain spacing conforms to a gamma distribution, and (iii) the percentage projected area due to exposed abrasives is independent of abrasive grit size. The results are validated by experimental data available in the literature.