GRINDING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME VIEWING OF SAMPLES DURING CROSS-SECTIONING

摘要

Metallographic samples (12) are cross-sectioned to inspect internal features of the samples and to determine the cause of component failures. In order to reach an area of interest (10) that is to be inspected, the cross-sections undergo grinding. Conventional grinding techniques require that a metallographic sample be removed from the grinding apparatus and visually inspected in order to determine whether the area of interest has been reached. An improved grinding apparatus (100) and method of grinding, images the sample while it is being ground so that grinding does not have to be interrupted in order to determine how far grinding has progressed. Real-time monitoring of the grinding process allows precision control of grinding of meatallographic samples.