Surface grinding involves using a rotating abrasive wheel to flatten and refine flat or contoured surfaces. The workpiece is typically held in place on a magnetic chuck or fixture, allowing the grinder to remove very thin layers of material with each pass. This gradual material removal enables extremely fine control, resulting in a smooth, even finish with tight tolerances. Surface grinding is widely used in producing parts that require a high degree of flatness and surface quality, such as components in toolmaking.

Cylindrical grinding, on the other hand, is used to shape and finish the external or internal surfaces of cylindrical components. In this process, the workpiece rotates around its axis while an abrasive wheel grinds the outer or inner surface, achieving precise diameters and surface finishes. Cylindrical grinding is commonly applied to parts such as shafts, spindles, and bearing components, where roundness and concentricity are crucial. This method is highly effective for producing smooth, polished surfaces with minimal deviations, making it ideal for high-performance components in industries like aerospace, automotive, and precision engineering. Both surface and cylindrical grinding offer excellent control over surface finish, allowing manufacturers to meet stringent quality and accuracy standards in metalworking.