In order to elucidate grinding mechanism, it is important to make clear the concept of successive cutting edge spacing on wheel surface. In this paper, Monte Carlo simulations of grinding process are carried out using a wheel model which has a three-dimensional distribution of cutting edge, then the probability distributions and the mean values of the following successive cutting edge spacings are obtained :
(1) the successive cutting edge spacing pertaining to the effective cutting edge,
(2) the successive cutting edge spacing pertaining to the grain depth of cut in the work section perpendicular to grinding direction,
(3) the successive cutting edge spacing pertaining to the finished surface roughness,
(4) the successive cutting edge spacing pertaining to the maximum grain depth of cut,
(5) the successive cutting edge spacing pertaining to the undeformed chip length.
Furthermore, influences of the grinding conditions, the distribution in depth for the position of cutting edge, the distribution of cutting edge tip angle and the elastic displacement of cutting edge on the mean value of the successive cutting edge spacing are considered.