3. Comparative performance of various processes

As we have already mentioned, cutting and grinding processes enable common metal alloys to be machined in the most economical conditions, which explains their rapid development. Grinding can be carried out in two different ways:

• Grinding is used for deburring and polishing operations; it does not precisely control the movement of the part;

• grinding gives the workpiece a precise geometric shape and low roughness through precise control of grinding wheel and workpiece movements. This technique is evolving rapidly with the introduction of very high speeds [BM 7 220]...