MULTI-PASS GRINDING METHOD

摘要

A multi-pass grinding method for fabricating an endodontic instrument. A tapered rod (10) is sucessively advanced past a rotating grinding wheel (12) to remove layers (14, 16, 18, 20) of material from the rod (10) until attaining a desired flute depth. The method is characterized by relatively shallow cutting depths, relatively high feed rates and low grinding wheel wear. The method reduces the process time and operator supervision required for fabricating nickel-titanium endodontic instruments. A further process is disclosed for automatically compensating for wear on the grinding wheel (12) so that periodic recalibration of the grinding wheel (12) may be eliminated or reduced.