Abstract: Method of adaptive control of a recessing cycle on a grinding machine where the roughing is terminated, if the allowance drops to a value determined from the characteristic value derived from the preceeding grinding cycle and from the allowance at the beginning of grinding so that the allowance for finish grinding may have a desired value. The material removal speed at the beginning and at the end of sparking conform to a requested functional relationship. The grinding operation is ended according to the final dimension of the machined part. The finish grinding is carried out, if the requested functional relationship of removal speeds and of the preselected accuracy are not maintained, or if the removal speed drops under the preselected value.