Abstract: A grinding machine including one or more grinding wheels has a workpiece holder that releasably holds a crankshaft and is configured to rotate the crankshaft about a longitudinal axis; a spindle assembly, that is moveable in at least two directions, including a spindle shaft and a grinding wheel attached to the spindle shaft; and an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the grinding machine, such that the grinding machine is configured to monitor an output signal from the acoustic emission sensor, move the grinding wheel into contact with the crankshaft at a first angular position, detect contact between the grinding wheel and the crankshaft based on the output signal, determine a position of the grinding wheel based on the detected contact between the grinding wheel and the crankshaft, move the grinding wheel away from the crankshaft, rotate the crankshaft a defined angular amount, move the grinding wheel into contact with the crankshaft at a second angular position, determine a position of the grinding wheel

Abstract: A high efficiency grinding machine for grinding the pin on a crankshaft has a machining space with a grinding wheel mounted on the lower end of an arm to form a pendulum assembly. A headstock supports the crankshaft in the machining space. A pivot drive rocks the pendulum assembly back and forth equal distances about the equilibrium position causing the grinding wheel to follow the non-circular path of a pin as the crankshaft as it is rotated about its elongated axis.