Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting high production rate grinding of a plurality of workpieces on a grinding wheel rotating about an axis with reduced power consumption. Each workpiece is mounted in a holding fixture adjacent the grinding wheel to expose a face of the workpiece to be ground. The fixtures are positioned at spaced locations around the periphery of the grinding wheel whereby a grinding station is defined at each location. In one embodiment of the invention, one workpiece at a time is ground, but the grinding of a workpiece begins substantially simultaneously with the termination of the grinding of the preceding workpiece. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed grinding spindle with a grinding wheel mounted on the spindle driven by a motor which, along with the spindle, has a fixed location within the grinding machine housing. A removable upper spindle support member may be removably mounted to the housing above the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting high production rate grinding of a plurality of workpieces on a grinding wheel rotating about an axis with reduced power consumption. Each workpiece is mounted in a holding fixture adjacent the grinding wheel to expose a face of the workpiece to be ground. The fixtures are positioned at spaced locations around the periphery of the grinding wheel whereby a grinding station is defined at each location. In one embodiment of the invention, one workpiece at a time is ground, but the grinding of a workpiece begins substantially simultaneously with the termination of the grinding of the preceding workpiece. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed grinding spindle with a grinding wheel mounted on the spindle driven by a motor which, along with the spindle, has a fixed location within the grinding machine housing. A removable upper spindle support member may be removably mounted to the housing above the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A motion translation apparatus and method is provided which is particularly suitable for use with machine tools wherein the workpiece is moved relative to a tool. A stationary guideway member having a track of ball bearings mounted partially projecting from a V-shaped channel is fixed relative to the tool and relative to a rotatably driven turntable on which a hydraulic fluid operated actuator is pivotably mounted at one end. The piston of the actuator is pivotably secured to a link member which is in turn pivotably mounted on one end to the turntable. The free end of the link member opposite the end pivotably mounted to the turntable is pivotably connected to a movable guideway member which has a V-shaped channel adapted to receive and engage projecting portions of the ball bearings in the stationary guideway member for a predetermined arc of rotation of the turntable.