When your production run depends on cylindrical bar stock holding the same dimension across every piece, the grinding process determines whether your schedule holds or slips. At O’Hare Precision Metals, we’ve been solving that problem for manufacturers since 1970.
Engineers and procurement managers ask us the same thing every time. Not just “can you hold that tolerance?” but “will every piece match, and how fast can you deliver?” Those two questions drive everything we do in our Arlington Heights, IL, facility.
What Centerless Grinding Does for Your Production
Centerless grinding removes material using abrasive cutting without a centering device. The workpiece rides between a grinding wheel and a regulating wheel. Controlling wheel speed, feed rate, and workpiece positioning together allows continuous processing of cylindrical parts without re-fixturing, so every piece in your run comes out dimensionally consistent.
That consistency is what reduces your lead time. When bar stock arrives at your specified diameter with no variation across the lot, your downstream machines run without interruption. No re-inspection, no secondary finishing, no unplanned stops on the floor.
Tolerances and Surface Finishes We Hold
We hold tolerances as tight as .0001 inches on every order that calls for it. Surface finishes reach 8 micro inches or better. Our quality control team inspects dimensions at each phase of the operation, not just at the end, so deviations get caught before they affect your run.
Those numbers mean your cylindrical components arrive ready for assembly. Parts machined to that surface finish and tolerance need no additional prep before they go to your next operation, which removes a real step from your schedule.
Capacity and Grinding Methods Available
Our centerless grinding handles parts up to 9 inches in diameter and up to 50 feet in length. Our specialized grinding division covers parts up to 7 inches in diameter and 24 feet in length. Both in-feed and thru-feed grinding are available, depending on your part geometry and volume requirements.
For outside diameter work, we run CNC and manual OD grinding. CNC rotary dressers produce intricate radii, profiles, and spherical radii. In-process gauging confirms dimensions during the grinding cycle, so you get verified results without waiting for a post-run inspection.
Materials We Grind at Our Arlington Heights Facility
We grind stainless steels, alloy steels, carbon steels, tool steels, aluminum, nickel and high temperature alloys, brass, copper, bronze, and titanium. Common grades through our shop include 303, 304, and 316 stainless, alloy grades 4130, 4140, and 4340, and tool steels including A2, H13, and M2.
Sourcing material and grinding it in one place removes a hand-off from your procurement process. You’re not coordinating between a raw material supplier and a separate grinding house on the same order.
Complementary Services on the Same Order
Saw cutting, chamfering, turning, milling, burnishing, and polishing are all available alongside grinding. Our CNC automated saws cut up to 7 inches in diameter using cold saw blades for clean cuts and tight tolerances. Bar chamfering covers welding preparation, deburring, undercuts, and V-cuts using CNC and manual equipment.
Polishing handles stainless, aluminum, brass, copper, bronze, and titanium with specific RA finishes available. Custom packaging options, including individually wrapped tubes and collars, custom wood boxes, and paper wrap in bundles, protect your ground surface finish during transit.
Request a Quote for Your Next Precision Grinding Order
We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified, and our quality control inspections run at every phase of your order. If you’re sourcing precision ground bar stock for automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, or oil and gas applications, we’re ready to review your specifications.
Submit your requirements through the Request a Quote form at ohareprecision.com, call us at (847) 640-6050, or email sales@ohareprecision.com. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm CST.
FAQs
What materials can you process through centerless grinding?
We grind stainless, alloy, carbon, and tool steels, plus aluminum, nickel alloys, brass, copper, bronze, and titanium. Material supply and grinding are available together.
What are your diameter and length capacity limits?
Centerless grinding goes up to 9 inches in diameter and 50 feet in length. Our specialized division handles up to 7 inches in diameter and 24 feet in length.
What tolerances and surface finishes can you hold?
We hold tolerances to .0001 inches with surface finishes of 8 micro inches or better, inspected at each phase of the operation.
Can additional services run on the same order?
Yes. Saw cutting, chamfering, turning, milling, burnishing, polishing, and custom packaging are all available on the same order.