Must a straight edge definitely not be processed by grinding?
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We often use straightedges that are 3 to 4 meters long to measure dimensions during the processing process. But a ruler this long will always bend after being used for two or three months, and I dare not use it anymore. I want to take it in for repairs, but it’s not easy to find a good blacksmith, and there’s also no large flat surface available for inspection. I’m thinking about going back to the large grinding machine to grind it again, but I’m not sure whether a straightedge made by this mechanical processing method will deform quickly. Because I know that straightedges are generally ground to achieve that shape. I seek advice from experts!
When using a surface grinder for processing, a straightedge is attached to the worktable; this causes a ruler with a large curvature to become straight. After grinding, when the straightedge is removed, the ruler returns to its curved shape, so there is no real effect. For things like this, it still depends on the fitter. If a good blacksmith cannot be found, the only option is to use a thicker straight edge to extend its service life. What exactly is the situation? Can’t it be replaced with other measuring tools? Furthermore, grinding and planing are two different things; you can think of a grinding straightedge as a form of polishing, as it can only cause very slight changes to the dimensions of the straightedge. This post was last edited by oylhupo on 2009-2-23 09:29]
Regardless of the machining method used, residual stresses will always be present. Only manual grinding can minimize stress. It is recommended to have another large straight edge on hand, so that alignment can be checked frequently.