A mathematical model for investigating the form generation mechanism in the centerless thrufeed grinding process is described. The length of the contact line and the magnitude of the grinding force between the grinding wheel and workpieces vary with the change of the axial location of the current workpiece during grinding. Thus, a new coordinate system and a grinding force curve of previous and/or following workpieces are introduced to treat the axial motion. Experiments and computer simulations were carried out using three types of cylindrical workpiece shapes. To validate this model. simulation results are compared with the experimental results.