Difference Between Truing and Dressing

The main difference between truing and dressing relates to the purpose and the process for maintaining a grinding wheel. While they are often performed on the same machine, truing and dressing serve distinct functions:

1. Truing

• Purpose: Truing is done to restore the grinding wheel's original shape and concentricity, which can become distorted over time due to wear or accidental damage.

• Process: Truing removes material from the wheel to correct its form, ensuring that it is balanced and symmetrical, which reduces vibration and allows it to run smoothly.

• Frequency: It's typically done less frequently than dressing, usually when the wheel's shape has deviated significantly from its original design.

• Tools Used: Truing often requires a diamond tool or abrasive stone that can precisely reshape the wheel.

2. Dressing

• Purpose: Dressing sharpens and  cleans the grinding wheel to restore its cutting ability. It removes any embedded debris (often referred to as "loading") and dull grains from the wheel's surface, which can clog or blunt it.

• Process: Dressing reshapes the wheel's surface by exposing fresh, sharp abrasive grains, making it      sharper and more effective for cutting.

• Frequency: It is done more frequently than truing, often before each use of the grinding wheel or      when it becomes loaded or glazed.

• Tools Used: A diamond dresser or dressing stick is usually used to remove surface material from the wheel.

Summary of Differences

• Truing focuses on restoring the shape and concentricity.

• Dressing focuses on sharpening and cleaning the wheel's surface for effective cutting.

Both processes are essential for maintaining grinding wheels, but each addresses a different aspect of wheel maintenance for performance and precision.