Precision grinding is an effective machining process used for finishing and completing metal parts. This precision grinding technique is most commonly used when a material is too hard to machine efficiently or when the tolerances required are too precise for machining.
At Cass Precision Machining, our grinding department in Brooklyn Center has served industrial manufacturers for over 80 years. With more than 10 grinding machines on the floor and in-process gauging for continuous dimensional compliance, we maintain the tight tolerances and superior surface finishes your application demands. Whether you need a small precision run or a high-volume production order, Cass is your single-source grinding partner in the Twin Cities.
Cass Precision Grinding Services
Cass’s comprehensive precision grinding services include cylindrical grinding, centerless grinding, and centerless infeed grinding. We grind a wide variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, and stainless steel, to your specifications.
Our Precision Grinding Department in MN features over 10 grinding machines, eliminating the need to add another supplier for grinding services while shortening overall delivery lead times. We run Cincinnati, Bryant, Shigiya, Supertec, and Royal Master grinding equipment. We use CNC controls and autoloaders to handle high-quantity orders efficiently.
Precision Grinding Tolerances and Capabilities at Cass
Cass Precision Machining maintains some of the tightest grinding tolerances available in the Minneapolis metro. Our grinding department handles a wide range of part sizes and materials, from small-diameter centerless work to longer cylindrical components, with documented dimensional compliance at every stage of production. We run Cincinnati, Bryant, Shigiya, Supertec, and Royal Master grinding equipment paired with CNC controls and autoloaders, giving us both the precision and the throughput to keep your program on schedule.
We work with steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel, and a range of specialty alloys. Our in-process gauging eliminates the need for offline inspection delays, and our autoloaders support efficient high-quantity runs without sacrificing accuracy. The result is consistent, repeatable surface finishes that meet your drawing requirements, batch after batch.
Why Choose Cass for Precision Grinding in Minneapolis?
Manufacturers choose Cass Precision Machining for precision grinding because of our depth of equipment, our experience, and our ability to manage complete programs in-house. Here is what sets Cass apart:
- More than 10 grinding machines on-site, including cylindrical, centerless, and centerless infeed configurations, reducing the need for outside grinding vendors.
- Tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inches on cylindrical and centerless grinding, with surface finishes down to 6 micro inches.
- In-process gauging on every CNC grinder for continuous monitoring of dimensional compliance as specified.
- CNC controls and autoloaders to handle high-quantity orders efficiently and consistently.
- Broad material compatibility, including steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, stainless steel, and specialty alloys.
- Part sizes from 0.100 inches to 5 inches in diameter and lengths up to 24 inches for cylindrical work, or up to 12 feet for bar grinding.
- Over 80 years of precision machining experience, with a full-service campus in Brooklyn Center, MN.
- Single-source convenience: Cass coordinates outside services such as heat treating, plating, and anodizing so your parts arrive complete and ready for assembly.
Cass Precision Machining’s grinding department operates as an extension of your own quality team, not just a job shop. We take ownership of the process from first piece to final shipment.
Have a Grinding Application? Let's Talk.
Whether you need cylindrical grinding for shafts and bearing journals, centerless grinding for high-volume round components, or bar grinding for long stock material, the Cass precision grinding team is ready to help you solve it. We serve manufacturers throughout Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and the Upper Midwest with fast turnaround and proven quality.
Request a quote for grinding services or call 763.535.0501
Frequently Asked Questions about Precision Grinding
What is Cylindrical Grinding?
Cylindrical grinding is a precision machining process that involves the grinding of circular or cylindrical parts between centers to achieve as much roundness of the part as possible. Cylindrical grinding machines coordinate four essential actions: The work part must constantly rotate; The grinding wheel must constantly rotate; The grinding wheel is fed toward and away from the work; Either the part or the grinding wheel is traversed with respect to the other. These cylindrical grinding machines offer automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Cass Cylindrical Grinding Services
At Cass Precision Machining, we operate multiple cylindrical grinding machines. We have fully CNC-controlled machines, with others that have two grind axes and feature autoloaders. Our CNC grinders have in-process gauging for continuous monitoring of dimensional compliance as specified. The higher complexity of the grinding requirements on parts like shafts, rollers, bearing journals, cores, mandrels, taper grinds, and more, the better the match with cylindrical grinding equipment.
What is Centerless Grinding?
Centerless grinding is a high-precision machining method that produces roundness, surface finish, and dimensional tolerances among the best available in metalworking. Centerless grinding incorporates the use of two wheels, a regulating wheel and a grinding wheel. It differs from other cylindrical grinding processes in that your parts are not mechanically constrained. Instead, the part is located in the “grinding zone” between the grinding wheel and the regulating wheel on a workpiece support. The rotating grinding wheel and regulating wheel put the part into rotation and remove material. Grinding pressure from the grinding wheel presses the part against the regulating wheel and the workpiece support. The rotating regulating wheel provides the counter-pressure required for grinding.
We can configure standard centerless grinders for high-speed parts loading by slightly tilting the regulating wheel in relation to the grinding wheel and work piece support. The speed and inclination angle of the regulating wheel together determine the part feed rate. This results in a process that is exceptionally efficient as the machine can be loaded during grinding operations. Parts can flow through centerless grinders at speeds well over 1,000 pieces per hour, holding OD grinding costs for parts like pins, spacers, rollers, bushings, and more to a minimum with rapid delivery responsiveness.
Cass Centerless Grinding Services
At Cass Precision Machining, we provide centerless grinding services using multiple precision grinding machines. We’ve configured some machines as standard centerless grinders. The second group of machines are centerless infeed grinding machines that have parts loaded up to a fixed stop to assure precise and consistent part finish results at high speeds. The last machine is configured for thru-feed bar grinding of various brass, bronze, and steel materials. Our centerless grinding solutions are built for volume, speed, and precision, delivering cost-effective and repeatable results.
What Industries Does Cass Serve With Precision Grinding?
Cass Precision Machining provides precision grinding services to manufacturers across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, energy, and industrial equipment. Our grinding capabilities meet the tight tolerances and surface finish requirements required in these sectors, and our in-process gauging ensures dimensional compliance throughout every production run. Micro-Fab, a Cass company, also supports more regulated specifications governed by aerospace and medical requirements, holding ISO 9001:2015 certification and AS9100 compliance.
Have Questions or Want a Quote?
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