Recent Trends in Modeling and Control of Chatter Vibration in Cylindrical Plunge Grinding Process Samuel Karanja Kabini Department of Mechatronic Engineering Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Tel. +254 720 980 179, Email: kkabini@eng.jkuat.ac.ke Dr. Bernard Wamuti Ikua Dean School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Tel. +254 722 286 264, Email: ikua_bw@eng.jkuat.ac.ke Dr. George Nyauma Nyakoe Head Department of Mechatronic Engineering Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Tel. +254 721 4 56 661, Email: nyakoe@eng.jkuat.ac.ke Abstract - Cylindrical plunge grinding process which is normally a final operation in precision machining is one of the processes that require control. This is because in this process, there is usually occurrence of chatter vibrations which limits the ability of the grinding process to achieve the desired surface finish. It also leads to rapid tool wear, noise and frequent machine tool breakages, which increase the production costs. In this paper, a review of the recent trends in modeling and control of the chatter vibrations common in the process is presented. Both modeling and simulations approaches are presented. Keywords: Grinding process, chatter, control, modelling. 1. Introduction In recent years, grinding research has had a renewed focus on the mechanics of the grinding process. A question such as how material is removed from the surface is of considerable importance from both research and industrial perspectives. However, significant challenges exist when attempting to answer this fundamental question. This could be addressed by empirical models, but such empirical approaches often require the fitting of non-physical parameters into experimental data, which creates a phenomenological model [1]. As a result, the fundamental physical processes at work during material removal cannot be directly investigated. Furthermore, advanced modeling of the material removal process requires constitutive material models incorporating elastoplasticity theory. Elastoplastic (EP) material models are commonly used in metal-cutting and metal-forming applications [1], but present an analytical impasse where equations can only be solved numerically. 2. Modeling of the Grinding Process Many researchers have made attempts to come up with models of the grinding process. This has resulted in a number of models, each attempting to address, or emphasize on, a specific area of the grinding processes. Modeling of the grinding process can be achieved through development of empirical and theoretical models, but, modeling generally involves a trade-off between the accuracy of the model and the difficulty (or physical possibility) of obtaining the necessary information or parameters. Samuel Karanja Kabini et al. / International Journal of Advances in Engineering, Science and Technology (IJAEST) ISSN : 2249-913X Vol. 2 No. 3 Aug-Oct 2012 226