The low repeatability of the AE RMS level and its weak correlation with some grinding quantities has been the main problem that limits the use of this sensing technique in industrial environments. This paper presents results on the influence of some measuring conditions on the AE information. Some reliable grinding monitoring functions are proposed for production based on fast RMS analysis and binary contact detection techniques. An innovative grit mapping technique is introduced based on these new concepts. Some examples of application that include information about the topographic characteristics of a grinding wheel and its transformation during grinding are presented.