Chevalier Smart B818 III
Key Specifications
Table Size
Spindle Power
chuck size
longitudinal travel x
cross travel y
vertical travel z
Overview
The Chevalier Smart B818 III is a CNC automatic surface grinder with an 8x18-inch (200 x 450 mm) electromagnetic chuck capacity. It represents Chevalier's most popular surface grinding platform globally — the Smart B series — in its third-generation configuration. Chevalier is one of the world's leading surface grinder manufacturers, producing more surface grinders annually than most competitors, and the Smart B series is the line that built that reputation.
The machine uses a horizontal-spindle, reciprocating-table configuration (surface grinding type I), which is the standard format for tool room and production surface grinding. The grinding wheel spindle is a 2.2 kW (3 hp) unit with a 3,450 RPM speed, accommodating standard 200 x 20 mm (8 x 1 in) or 250 x 25 mm (10 x 1 in) grinding wheels. The electromagnetic chuck provides uniform magnetic holding force across the 200 x 450 mm surface, suitable for ferrous workpieces. A manual or optional hydraulic table drive moves the table back and forth under the grinding wheel in the X-axis; the Y-axis saddle traverses the grinding wheel across the workpiece width.
The III generation adds a Chevalier-designed CNC control (or optional Fanuc 0i-TF) that automates the grinding cycle — setting infeed depth per pass, spark-out passes, table speed, saddle step-over, and automatic wheel dress cycles. This automation eliminates the operator attention required on manual grinders and enables unattended grinding of flat surfaces to tolerances of ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in) consistently across production runs. The auto-dress function with diamond dresser maintains wheel form between cycles without manual intervention.
The Smart B818 III is widely used in tool rooms, die shops, mold shops, and production grinding cells across North America, Europe, and Asia. It competes with the Kent KGS-818 AHD, the Okamoto ACC-818DX, and the Mitsui MSG-200MH. Chevalier's advantage is price — the Smart B818 III typically prices $25,000–$40,000, below the Okamoto and Mitsui alternatives at similar capability. Chevalier also maintains one of the most comprehensive surface grinder service networks in North America.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chuck Size | 200 x 450 mm (8 x 18 in) electromagnetic |
| Table Size | 225 x 460 mm (8.9 x 18.1 in) |
| Longitudinal Travel X | 520 mm (20.5 in) automatic |
| Cross Travel Y | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Vertical Travel Z | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Max Distance Spindle To Table | 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Grinding Wheel Size | 200 x 25 x 76.2 mm (8 x 1 x 3 in) or 250 x 25 x 76.2 mm (10 x 1 x 3 in) |
| Spindle Speed | 3,450 RPM |
| Spindle Motor Power | 2.2 kW (3 hp) |
| Spindle Type | Horizontal, direct-drive |
| Table Speed | 5 – 25 m/min variable |
| Cross Feed Per Stroke | 0.1 – 6.0 mm (0.004 – 0.236 in) adjustable |
| Min Infeed Increment | 0.001 mm (0.00004 in) |
| Surface Flatness | ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in) over 200 mm |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.1 µm achievable with fine dressing |
| Chuck Magnetic Force | 850 N/dm² |
| Machine Weight | 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) |
| CNC Control | Chevalier CNC (Smart III) or Fanuc 0i-TF optional |
| Electrical | 220/440 VAC 3-phase, 15 A |
| Modelsmart B818iiibrandchevaliertypereciprocating Surface Grinderscontrolcontact Sales Rep | Contact Sales Rep. |
| Modelsmart B818iiibrandchevaliertypereciprocating Surface Grinderscontrol | Contact Sales Rep. |
| Model | SMART-B818III |
| Brand | CHEVALIER |
| Type | Reciprocating Surface Grinders |
| Table W8table L18power4 Hp | Grinding Wheel Width0.5"Grinding Wheel Dia.8"ControlCNC |
| Table W | 8" |
| Table L | 18" |
| Power | 4 hp |
| Grinding Wheel Width | 0.5" |
| Grinding Wheel Dia | 8" |
| Cnc Control | CNC |
| Looking To Purchase A New Chevalier Smart B818iii | Contact Sales Rep. |
Specifications sourced from machinetools.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- CNC automation of infeed, spark-out, and cross-feed eliminates continuous operator attention, enabling unattended or semi-attended grinding cycles
- Auto-dress function with built-in diamond dresser maintains consistent wheel form and surface finish quality across long production runs without manual dressing
- ±0.001 mm flatness achievable over the full 200 mm chuck width, matching precision demands of tool room, die, and mold grinding applications
- Price of $25K–$40K is significantly below Okamoto and Mitsui alternatives of comparable specification, making precision CNC surface grinding accessible to smaller shops
Limitations
- Electromagnetic chuck limits workpieces to ferrous (magnetic) materials — aluminum, brass, and non-ferrous parts require vacuum or mechanical fixturing
- 2.2 kW (3 hp) spindle is adequate for surface grinding but limits material removal rate on deep stock-removal operations requiring high wheel force
- 8x18-inch chuck capacity restricts part size; shops grinding parts longer than 18 inches need the FSG-AD3060 or larger surface grinder platforms
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The standard Smart B818 III comes with Chevalier's own Smart III CNC control, a dedicated surface grinding control with a graphical touch-screen interface for setting grinding parameters (table speed, cross feed, infeed depth, spark-out passes, dress cycles). An optional FANUC 0i-TF control is available for shops that prefer FANUC familiarity. Both controls fully automate the grinding cycle including wheel dressing.
02
Not with the standard electromagnetic chuck, which only holds ferrous (magnetic) workpieces. For aluminum, brass, or non-ferrous grinding, the part must be mechanically clamped or held with a vacuum chuck (optional). Non-ferrous grinding also requires different wheel specifications (typically silicon carbide or CBN wheels rather than aluminum oxide). The machine is fully capable mechanically; only the fixturing changes.
03
The Smart B818 III includes a fixed-point diamond dresser mounted on the grinding head assembly. In automatic mode, the CNC control drives the wheel across the dresser at programmed intervals (every N cycles, or when surface finish degrades beyond a set threshold). Dress depth and traverse speed are programmable. After dressing, the control automatically compensates for the wheel diameter reduction by adjusting the Z-axis reference position, maintaining consistent grinding depth without operator intervention.
04
With a properly dressed aluminum oxide wheel (60–80 grit for roughing, 100–120 grit for finishing), the Smart B818 III achieves Ra 0.4–0.8 µm in normal production grinding. With a fine-grit wheel (180+ grit) and light spark-out passes, Ra 0.1–0.2 µm is achievable on hardened steel (58–65 HRC). Flatness across the chuck face holds to ±0.001 mm (±0.00004 in) at production rates.
05
The Okamoto ACC-818DX is the benchmark 8x18 CNC surface grinder, known for superior spindle precision and surface finish capability. Okamoto typically prices $50,000–$70,000 versus $25,000–$40,000 for the Chevalier. For critical precision grinding applications (gauge calibration, lapping plate production), the Okamoto's spindle accuracy advantage justifies the premium. For production and tool room work where the Chevalier's ±0.001 mm specification meets requirements, the price savings are substantial.
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