Abstract: A method of grinding or turning a workpiece, such as a bearing workpiece, involves several steps. One step includes locating the bearing workpiece on a chuck with an axis of rotation of the chuck positioned off-center relative to an axis of the bearing workpiece. Another step includes determining an offset between the chuck's axis of rotation and the bearing workpiece's axis based on the off-center position between the chuck's axis of rotation and the bearing workpiece's axis. Yet another step includes determining a path of engagement of a grinding wheel relative to the bearing workpiece based on the offset previously determined between the chuck's axis of rotation and the bearing workpiece's axis.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted to a machine for positioning a device near a workpiece during a machining operation, during which the workpiece is movable relative to a machining tool. The apparatus comprises an arm coupled to the machining tool and movable relative thereto to mimic movement of the workpiece relative to the machining tool. The arm includes a shoe for contacting the workpiece during the machining operation. The apparatus further comprises a linear actuator coupled to the arm for moving the arm between a retracted position and an engaged position. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a coolant nozzle assembly. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a workpiece support shoe. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an in-process gauge assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted to a machine for positioning a device near a workpiece during a machining operation, during which the workpiece is movable relative to a machining tool. The apparatus comprises an arm coupled to the machining tool and movable relative thereto to mimic movement of the workpiece relative to the machining tool. The arm includes a shoe for contacting the workpiece during the machining operation. The apparatus further comprises a linear actuator coupled to the arm for moving the arm between a retracted position and an engaged position. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a coolant nozzle assembly. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a workpiece support shoe. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an in-process gauge assembly.

Abstract: A motorized spindle assembly for a grinding wheel is fabricated with an opening extending through the spindle casing, and stator and so as to extend in the direction of the spindle axis of rotation at least the length of the stator. The opening is of a size, depth, configuration and disposition so that when the spindle assembly is utilized to grind a workpiece and to do so is moved towards the workpiece, that portions of the workpiece are received within the opening thus permitting the spindle assembly and its grinding wheel to be moved as close as possible to the workpiece axis of rotation. The motorized spindle assembly is carried by a wheelhead for coaction with an additional spindle assembly carrying a grinding wheel with a larger radius. The larger radius grinding wheel is utilized to rough grind cam lobes and the smaller grinding wheel is utilized to finish grind the cam lobes and to grind concave cam contours for the cam lobes.