1
JOAL Mécanique générale
Clermont-Ferrand (63)
General engineering workshop specialising in turning, milling, cylindrical and surface grinding, and EDM, producing made-to-drawing parts from one-offs to medium batches.
Machining process
Grinding: find a subcontracting workshop
Grinding is an abrasive machining process that uses a wheel to remove material with high precision. It is generally used as a finishing operation, after turning or milling, to achieve very fine dimensional tolerances and smooth surface finishes. This process is particularly suited to heat-treated parts that are too hard to be machined with conventional cutting tools. Grinding is commonly used on shafts, bearing seats, cutting tools, precision mechanical parts and components requiring a tight fit.
Where to find a grinding workshop
Cities are ranked by number of listed workshops. Each page details the companies and their specialities.
Saint-Étienne
42
7 workshops
Le Creusot
71
4 workshops
Nice
06
4 workshops
Pontarlier
25
4 workshops
Annecy
74
3 workshops
Belfort
90
3 workshops
Clermont-Ferrand
63
3 workshops
Cluses
74
3 workshops
Issoire
63
3 workshops
Montbéliard
25
3 workshops
Toulouse
31
3 workshops
Challans
85
2 workshops
Chalon-sur-Saône
71
2 workshops
Cholet
49
2 workshops
Colmar
68
2 workshops
Lyon
69
2 workshops
Marseille
13
2 workshops
Montpellier
34
2 workshops
Mulhouse
68
2 workshops
Roanne
42
2 workshops
Saint-Nazaire
44
2 workshops
Angers
49
1 workshops
Annemasse
74
1 workshops
Besançon
25
1 workshops
Bordeaux
33
1 workshops
Bourg-en-Bresse
01
1 workshops
Dole
39
1 workshops
Lille
59
1 workshops
Saumur
49
1 workshops
Segré-en-Anjou Bleu
49
1 workshops
Strasbourg
67
1 workshops
Thiers
63
1 workshops
Thonon-les-Bains
74
1 workshops
Choosing the right supplier
When to choose grinding over another process
Grinding becomes necessary when the part has undergone heat treatment that has hardened the material beyond what a cutting tool can properly machine. It is also recommended when the specification requires tight dimensional tolerances, in the range of a micron to a few dozen microns, or a fine surface finish, with a roughness Ra below 0.4 µm for example. It also allows form defects such as flatness, parallelism or roundness left by previous operations to be corrected. On the other hand, for a rough part with no particular precision requirement, conventional milling or turning is usually sufficient and cheaper.
The criteria that really set two workshops apart
The first point to check is the type of grinding offered: surface, cylindrical, centerless or internal, each configuration suited to a different part geometry. Machine capacity also matters, particularly the maximum diameter and length that can be ground, as well as the guaranteed precision on IT5 to IT7 tolerances depending on the equipment. Materials worked vary from one workshop to another: hardened steels, stainless steel, cast iron, carbide or technical ceramics do not require the same wheels or the same parameters. You should also look at the inspection equipment available, gauges, surface roughness tester, coordinate measuring machine, which guarantee the conformity of delivered parts. Finally, the ability to handle both small unit batches and larger volumes influences the choice depending on your needs.
What to prepare to get an accurate quote
A dimensioned drawing with dimensional and geometric tolerances clearly indicated is essential, as is the specification of the expected surface finish. Specify the material and its condition, raw or already heat-treated, as well as the target hardness if treatment is to take place before grinding. Indicate the desired quantity of parts and whether it is likely to change, as this affects the choice of fixturing and tooling. Also mention any additional surface treatments planned after grinding, such as a coating or enhanced dimensional inspection, as well as the desired delivery time.
Materials most often worked with this process
grinding workshops
A selection of listed workshops, all cities combined. The first 30 of 72 listed; the full list is on the city pages.
2
Montferrand Mécanique
Clermont-Ferrand (63)
Clermont-based facility active for over 35 years, specialised in CNC and conventional precision mechanics. Offers a wide range of processes including wire and sinker EDM…
3
BMP — Berland Mécanique de Précision
Clermont-Ferrand (63)
Support from design to delivery: milling, turning, drilling, tapping and grinding of medium-sized parts, with drawing optimisation by an in-house design office.
4
AAS Industries
Saumur (Chacé) (49)
5
ACME Précision
Le Creusot (71)
6
AMD
Belfort (90)
Workshop in the Territoire de Belfort offering design and manufacture of press tooling and plastic injection molds. Masters 2D/3D milling, turning, grinding and EDM proc…
7
AMECA (Atelier Mécanique de la Côte d'Azur)
Nice (06)
8
AMG Dornier
Pontarlier (25)
9
Applications Tour et Mécanique
Saint-Étienne (42)
10
Assistance Industrielle
Crissey (71)
11
Atelier Yuman
Marseille (13)
12
Ateliers Mécaniques de Nice (AMN)
Nice (06)
13
Ateliers Wasser
Montpellier (34)
14
BA Usinage
Cluses (74)
Precision mechanics facility located in Cluses, in the Maladière industrial zone. Specialised in Swiss machining, grinding and sub-assembly fitting, with prototype produ…
15
Berland Mécanique de Précision
Montceau-les-Mines (71)
16
C3D Précision
Pontarlier (25)
17
Cholet Mécanique Précision
Cholet (49)
18
Constructions Mécaniques Bach & Succ
Strasbourg (67)
Strasbourg-based company specialized in subcontracted machining, milling, precision cutting and profiling of metals. Also carries out the construction and assembly of me…
19
Courtot Mécanique Générale
Montbéliard (25)
Specialist in metal machining for over thirty years, the company produces industrial parts from drawings in small and medium series. Its expertise covers a wide range of…
20
Courtot Mécanique Générale
Belfort (90)
Company based in Belfort active for over thirty years in machining metals and technical plastics. Manufactures industrial parts from drawings in small and medium batches.
21
Curty Precision
Saint-Étienne (42)
22
Diméca
Toulouse (31)
23
Duroule Productique
Fillinges (74)
24
EFOP Erosion
Annecy (74)
Annecy-based specialist in wire and sinker EDM, with five dedicated machines. The company notably manufactures cutting tools, mould components and jigs for the aerospace…
25
Établissements BERGHEAUD
Issoire (63)
26
Établissements Vineis
Saint-Étienne (42)
27
Ets Auberger
Chassieu (69)
Machining workshop for mechanical parts based in Chassieu, with over 90 years of activity. Offers custom manufacturing and industrial maintenance from a diversified mach…
28
EURAMECA
Colmar (68)
EURAMECA is a precision machining workshop founded in 1991, equipped with CNC machining centres up to 4 axes and CNC lathes. The company works on prototypes and small se…
29
FIM Fabrication Mécanique Industrielle
Chalon-sur-Saône (71)
30
GB Meca
Bourg-en-Bresse (01)
Frequently asked questions
What tolerance can be achieved with grinding?
Depending on the machine and the part's geometry, grinding generally achieves tolerances in the range of a few microns to a few dozen microns, corresponding to IT5 to IT7 grades, with surface finishes that can go below Ra 0.2 µm.
What materials can be ground?
Grinding applies to most metals, particularly heat-treated steels, stainless steel, cast iron and hard alloys, as well as certain technical materials such as carbide or ceramics, provided a wheel suited to their hardness is used.
What is the difference between surface grinding and cylindrical grinding?
Surface grinding treats flat surfaces by moving the part under a rotating wheel, while cylindrical grinding concerns parts of revolution, such as shafts or axles, machined in rotation against the wheel to achieve a precise diameter.
Is heat treatment required before grinding?
It is not always the case, but it is common: many parts are hardened or case-hardened before grinding in order to reach the required final hardness, with grinding then used to correct distortions from heat treatment and achieve the final dimension.