In surface grinding, the conditions of the grinding wheel give a significant effect on the ground workpieces comparing with other metal removal provesses. In this paper, to assist the development, a non-contacting optical method by the laser beam is introduced. The in-process measurement of scattering intensities has been made during surface grinding processes and the surface textures of wheel working surfaces are captured. Also, in order to determine the dressing time monitoring method of a grinding wheel, a three-dimensional computer simulation of the grinding operation has been attempted based on the contact mechanism and the surface-shaping system between the grinding wheel and the workpiece. The optimal dressing time is determined by the amount of the grain wear and work surface roughness.