PURPOSE: To eliminate nonconformity in an existing method of detecting contact between a grinding wheel and a workpiece to be ground, make it difficult to be influenced by disturbance, and enable also the detection of the grinding wheel being in a position immediately before coming in contact with the workpiece to be ground.
CONSTITUTION: The specified voltage is applied between a conductive grinding wheel 13 and a workpiece to be ground W by a voltage applying means, and a current between the grinding wheel 13 and the workpiece to be ground W is monitored. The change of the current value is detected by a current detecting means so as to detect the approach between the grinding wheel 13 and the workpiece to be ground W by the change of the current value.