dstryr said:

Parts are aluminum () and Im currently having them lapped to flat within .001. They are super thin diameter and easily twisted when the bottom face isn't perfectly flat. I can mess with shims in a pinch but its not feasible for production / having an employee do it.

Il check out some of these resources post.
To give an idea... wall thickness is around .300" and final part has round ness call outs like .005 over 28"
I'm not sure there is an easy way to hold the part on a grinder without distorting it.

MetalsKingdom supply professional and honest service.

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Holding your part on a grinder might not be that difficult. You could probably get away with setting it on the table and blocking it up with chunks of steel to keep it from sliding around. Being aluminum could actually help for flatness because the magnetic chuck wouldn't be drawing the part down and distorting it. It could sit in it's relaxed state while you just kiss the top enough to get it flat. If you're worried about the ring spinning, you could put a Mitee Bite to grip it in one place. The chucks on Blanchards have tapped holes for mounting things to- at least mine does. I've never ground aluminum on mine, so I can't say for sure that it would work, but it seems like it should with some experimenting.

Check out this video that NYC CNC did touring a Blanchard grinding shop. There are some good insights in there.

Bourdelais Grinding Shop Tour! Blanchard and Double Disc Grinding! - YouTube


It seems like the better option to me and what I would at least seriously look into. A lapper for that size part is huge, rare, and expensive. Meanwhile, the Blanchard is the opposite of all those things. Plus we find that the Blanchard is more useful/versatile for other applications around the shop. It seems like we're always grinding fixture plates, dies, or something other than what we initially purchased it for.

Holding your part on a grinder might not be that difficult. You could probably get away with setting it on the table and blocking it up with chunks of steel to keep it from sliding around. Being aluminum could actually help for flatness because the magnetic chuck wouldn't be drawing the part down and distorting it. It could sit in it's relaxed state while you just kiss the top enough to get it flat. If you're worried about the ring spinning, you could put a Mitee Bite to grip it in one place. The chucks on Blanchards have tapped holes for mounting things to- at least mine does. I've never ground aluminum on mine, so I can't say for sure that it would work, but it seems like it should with some experimenting.Check out this video that NYC CNC did touring a Blanchard grinding shop. There are some good insights in there.It seems like the better option to me and what I would at least seriously look into. A lapper for that size part is huge, rare, and expensive. Meanwhile, the Blanchard is the opposite of all those things. Plus we find that the Blanchard is more useful/versatile for other applications around the shop. It seems like we're always grinding fixture plates, dies, or something other than what we initially purchased it for.

Lapping Machines

Kemet Flat Lapping and Polishing Systems offer the most efficient and reliable method of producing precision flat polished surfaces. Our flat lapping and polishing machines are at the forefront of today&#;s advanced lapping technology, especially when used with Kemet Diamond products. Kemet lapping machine are available in fixed and variable speed either open face or pneumatic lift and are built strictly to the latest EEC standards.

 

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