More than 40 years of experience in grinding demanding precision components
Rotating components, as well as square or polygonal starting shapes that require a cylindrical final form. Cylindrical grinding is the technique that makes the difference when roundness, fit dimensions and surface quality are all critical. Tumag combines more than 40 years of craftsmanship with modern CNC cylindrical grinding machines to grind your components, both externally and internally, with the highest precision.
Our cylindrical grinding services are used in demanding sectors: from healthcare and medical technology to aeronautics and defence, as well as the high-tech industry and the packaging industry. Each of these markets has its own requirements for dimensional accuracy, surface quality and traceability, requirements that Tumag meets every day.
What is cylindrical grinding?
Cylindrical grinding is a grinding technique in which workpieces are machined with micrometre precision through their own rotation against a grinding wheel. During the process, the workpiece rotates around its own axis, while the grinding wheel, also rotating, removes material and gives the surface its final shape and finish.
As with a lathe, the rotation of the workpiece determines the possible final shapes: the result is always rotationally symmetrical around the workpiece axis. This means that the starting material does not necessarily have to be cylindrical already, but it also means that the machining possibilities go beyond a simple cylinder. Conical shapes, stepped diameters, crowned forms and other rotationally symmetrical profiles can all be produced as well.
The result is a component with an exceptionally low surface roughness value (Ra), high roundness and exact fit dimensions. This makes cylindrical grinding indispensable for parts that need to function in dynamic or precision mechanical systems.
Cylindrical grinding can be used as a finishing operation after milling or turning, but also as a corrective operation when heat treatment has caused minor dimensional deviations.
Applications of cylindrical grinding
| Component | Application |
| Shafts and guide shafts | Rotating or translating mechanisms |
| Bushings and bearing housings | Precision guidance, low-friction fit |
| Rings and circular components | Sealing, guidance, rotation |
| Mould pins and punch components | Dimension-critical cutting and forming tools |
| Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders | Sealing surfaces with low Ra values |
| Rotary components in mechatronics | Encoders, couplings, drive shafts |
Why choose Tumag as your cylindrical grinding partner?
Tumag is not a generalist. We are a Belgian specialist company in the high-precision production of tools and precision mechanical components. Cylindrical grinding is not an additional service for us – it is a core competence used every day for demanding customers in the automotive, electronics, medical industry and mechatronics sectors.
What you can expect from us:
- CNC cylindrical grinding machines with high repeatability and minimal clamping errors
- Experience in both external and internal grinding of complex geometries
- Machining of hardened steel, tool steel, stainless steel and other difficult-to-machine materials
- Toleranties die standaard uitkomen op enkele micrometers
- Quality control with calibrated measuring equipment and traceability
- Production in Belgium, short lines of communication and flexible batch sizes
Cylindrical grinding within the Tumag production process
At Tumag, cylindrical grinding rarely stands alone. It is typically the final step in an integrated production process that starts with engineering and continues through CNC milling, CNC turning or heat treatment. By keeping all processes in-house, we safeguard dimensional continuity throughout the entire machining chain.
In this way, cylindrical grinding is aligned with what came before and what follows, whether that is a polishing operation, assembly or quality control with CMM measurement.
Contact us
Do you have components with high roundness or roughness requirements? Or are you looking for a reliable partner for cylindrical grinding in Belgium and the Netherlands? Contact the Tumag team. We will analyse your drawing and provide you with a clear quotation.
Frequently asked questions about cylindrical grinding (FAQ)
What is the difference between external and internal cylindrical grinding?
In external cylindrical grinding (OD grinding), the outside of a cylindrical component is machined. In internal cylindrical grinding (ID grinding), a bore or internal cylindrical shape is finished. Both techniques pursue the same goal: a precise dimension, high roundness and a low surface roughness value.
What tolerances can be achieved with cylindrical grinding?
With CNC cylindrical grinding, tolerances in the range of a few micrometres are routinely achievable. The exact tolerance depends on the material, the diameter, the clamping method and the required surface quality. Contact Tumag to discuss your specific situation.
On which materials can cylindrical grinding be performed?
Hardened tool steel, structural steel, stainless steel and various alloys are among the standard materials. Materials with high hardness require specific grinding wheels and parameters – Tumag’s operators have the knowledge to set these correctly.
When is cylindrical grinding the better choice compared with turning alone?
CNC turning already delivers good results for cylindrical shapes, but it cannot match the surface quality and tolerances of cylindrical grinding. When roundness, cylindricity or a low Ra value is critical, or when the part needs to be hardened before grinding, cylindrical grinding is the appropriate finishing operation.