Abstract: A grinding machine utilizing multiple, parallel, endless, abrasive belts for simultaneously grinding several surfaces on a workpiece, such as cam lobes on a cam shaft. The grinding machine includes a contouring head assembly comprising a plurality of contour feed units, each contour unit including a curved back-up shoe, a back-up shoe holder, an adaptor for mounting the shoe holder, and a ball-spline mechanism is secured to the adaptor for transmitting power from a drive motor to the back-up shoe to press an abrasive belt, associated with the back-up shoe against a workpiece. A locating lip is defined on each adaptor, and a reference pad is established on the contouring head assembly.The adapters are divided into an upper and lower row, and the locating lips are formed oversized. One row of lips is ground to a desired distance from the reference pad, and the other row of lips is then ground relative to the previously ground row of locating lips.

Abstract: A grinding machine utilizing multiple, parallel, endless, abrasive belts for simultaneously grinding several surfaces on a workpiece, such as cam lobes on a cam shaft. The grinding machine includes a contouring head assembly comprising a plurality of contour feed units, each contour unit including a curved back-up shoe, a back-up shoe holder, an adaptor for mounting the shoe holder, and a ball-spline mechanism secured to the adaptor for transmitting power from a drive motor to the back-up shoe to press an abrasive belt, associated with the back-up shoe against a workpiece. A locating lip is defined on each adaptor, and a reference pad is established on the contouring head assembly.

Abstract: A work drive orienting system for a machine tool, such as a multiple belt grinder, comprises a head stock and a tail stock for supporting the workpiece to be machined, a locator retained by a spider in the head stock chuck, and a proximity sensor located in the loader operatively associated with the machine tool. The workpiece has journals at opposite ends, and spaced eccentric portions, such as cam lobes; also, a locating pin projects axially from one end of the workpiece. The locating pin has a predetermined angular relationship to the spaced eccentric portions of the workpiece.The locating pin must pass alongside the locator, which has a cylindrical body with a projecting tab, before power is supplied to the head stock and/or tail stock to drive same. A proximity sensor, located in the loader, scans an approximately 70.degree. arc on the workpiece, for the presence of eccentric surfaces, such as cam lobes.

Abstract: A tapered bearing for the drive drum assembly of a belt grinding machine that employs multiple, parallel, abrasive grinding belts, and back-up shoes for pressing the belts against the surfaces on a workpiece to be ground. The drive drum assembly, in cooperation with small pulleys operatively associated with the contouring head, keeps the abrasive belts properly trained. The central shaft of the drive drum assembly, which has a plurality of large pulleys and spacers positioned therealong, is secured between a fixed bearing support and a laterally movable support bracket. A tapered bearing is fastened to one end of the central shaft, and a complementary shaped aperture is defined in a spindle retained in the movable support bracket. When the movable support bracket is shifted inwardly, by the hydraulic circuitry of the grinding machine, the tapered bearing fits snugly into the aperture so that the drive drum assembly is supported in a rigid, sag-free manner.

Abstract: A grinding machine utilizing multiple, parallel, endless, abrasive belts for simultaneously grinding several surfaces on a workpiece, such as cam lobes on a cam shaft. The grinding machine includes a contouring head assembly comprising a plurality of contour feed units, each contour unit including a curved back-up shoe, a back-up shoe holder, an adaptor for mounting the shoe holder, and a ball-spline mechanism is secured to the adaptor for transmitting power from a drive motor to the back-up shoe to press an abrasive belt, associated with the back-up shoe against a workpiece. A locating lip is defined on each adaptor, and a reference pad is established on the contouring head assembly.The adapters are divided into an upper and lower row, and the locating lips are formed oversized. One row of lips is ground to a desired distance from the reference pad, and the other row of lips is then ground relative to the previously ground row of locating lips.