CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel from VT machining delivers precision Spring Steel parts produced to your exact drawing. Centerless grinding supports the workpiece on a blade between wheels for high-throughput OD finishing, and we tune every parameter to the behaviour of Spring Steel, which is high yield strength and elastic recovery.

Process Data for CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

Wheel (supply condition)Aluminium oxide
Wheel (hardened to ~50 HRC)CBN
Depth per pass (rough / finish)0.005-0.015 / 0.002-0.005 mm
Achievable finishRa 0.1-0.2 µm
Typical size toleranceØ ±0.002 mm, roundness 0.001-0.002 mm
Through-feed rate0.5-1.5 m/min
Diameter rangeØ1-60 mm

Shown for Spring Steel (65Mn / SK5 / 1075), the most common Spring Steel grade we see for CNC Centerless Grinding. Typical values for Spring Steel (65Mn / SK5 / 1075), Annealed or hardened & tempered strip; confirmed on the first part.

CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Centerless Grinding Capability for Spring Steel

  • No center holes needed
  • High throughput
  • Diameter ±0.003 mm
  • Through-feed & in-feed

Spring Steel material properties, finishing options and grade notes are on our CNC Surface Grinding Spring Steel page.

How CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel Works

An abrasive wheel removes a fine, controlled layer from the Spring Steel part. Wheel specification, dressing interval, infeed and coolant are matched to the alloy's hardness so the surface is not burned or left with residual stress.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Size (OD, ID, thickness)±0.005 mm±0.002 mm
Flatness over 100 mm0.010 mm0.003 mm
Parallelism0.010 mm0.003 mm
Roundness0.005 mm0.002 mm
Squareness0.010 mm0.005 mm
Surface finishRa 0.4 µmRa 0.1 µm
Workpiece hardnessup to 62 HRCup to 65 HRC

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Centerless Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish

Ground Spring Steel reaches single-micron tolerances on size, flatness and parallelism, with surface finishes down to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm — and a near-mirror finish on suitable alloys.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Design Tips for CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Allowing adequate grind stock, specifying realistic flatness over the true datum, and relieving corners help us hit tight tolerances on Spring Steel efficiently. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Applications of CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

Customers order CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

Typical Spring Steel Parts for CNC Centerless Grinding

Illustrative examples of CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel parts and the callouts that usually drive the process plan. They show the kind of work that fits this process; they are not specific customer orders.

Mould insert

Material
Spring Steel
Size
80 × 60 × 25 mm
Key callouts
Flatness 0.003 mm, squareness 0.005 mm
Batch
90 pcs

Surface ground on all six faces so the insert seats without shimming.

Ceramic-coated shaft journal

Material
Spring Steel
Size
Ø45 × 180 mm
Key callouts
OD ±0.003 mm, roundness 0.002 mm, Ra 0.2 µm
Batch
150 pcs

Ground after coating; the coating is never the final dimension.

Lapping plate

Material
Spring Steel
Size
300 × 300 × 30 mm
Key callouts
Flatness 0.005 mm over the full face
Batch
20 pcs

Ground, stress-relieved, ground again — one pass will not hold flatness on this area.

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No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Spring Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Centerless Grinding

Other Processes for Spring Steel

Send the drawing, the Spring Steel grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel require dedicated tooling?

Most Spring Steel grinding work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.

What tolerances can you hold for CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel?

Achievable tolerances for Spring Steel grinding depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Grinding routinely holds single-micron tolerances on diameter, flatness and parallelism. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.

Which industries use CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel parts?

CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Spring Steel components are required.

What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel?

CNC Centerless Grinding prototypes for Spring Steel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.

What is CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel and how is it done?

CNC Centerless Grinding Spring Steel refers to centerless grinding supports the workpiece on a blade between wheels for high-throughput OD finishing. Applied to Spring Steel — high yield strength and elastic recovery — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.