Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dressing a complex contour onto a grinding surface of at least one grinding wheel of a two-axis grinding machine for grinding a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of causing at least one dressing diamond to traverse the grinding surface of said grinding wheel along a first axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece while simultaneously causing movement of the dressing diamond with respect to said grinding surface along a second axis; and employing a programmable controller to control said traversing and said movement, so as to automatically dress a complex contour onto said grinding surface.

Abstract: An improved method and grinding machine are used to grind lobes on a camshaft. The grinding machine includes a longitudinally extending rocker bar which is pivotally mounted on a work table or carriage. A headstock and tailstock are connected with the rocker bar to rotatably support the camshaft as the cam lobes are ground by a grinding wheel. A control assembly includes a motor which is operated to pivot the rocker bar from a retracted or loading position through an index position to an operating position in a range of operating positions. Immediately before the rocker bar reaches the range of operating positions, the speed of the motor is reduced to effect a corresponding reduction in the speed of movement of the rocker bar. In addition, the motor actuates a biasing assembly to urge the rocker bar toward the camshaft with a relatively large force during a rough grinding operation and a reduced force during a finish grinding operation.

Abstract: An improved grinding machine includes a grinding wheel which is moved along a path extending at an acute angle to the axis of rotation of a workpiece. The workpiece is movable along its axis of rotation. During plunge grinding operations, the workpiece can be reciprocated along its axis of rotation. During traverse grinding operations, it is necessary to compensate for the acute angle of the path along which the grinding wheel is moved relative to the axis of rotation of the workpiece. This may be done between traverse grind strokes by initiating movement of the grinding wheel toward the workpiece from a position in which the edge surface of the grinding wheel is offset from the plane of a radially extending shoulder surface. Upon completion of a grinding operation, the wheel is retracted to a clear point. Different clear points are used so that the grinding wheel is retracted to only the extent necessary when finishing portions of a workpiece having different diameters.

Abstract: An improved grinding machine includes a grinding wheel which is moved along a path extending at an acute angle to the axis of rotation of a workpiece. The workpiece is movable along its axis of rotation. During plunge grinding operations, the workpiece can be reciprocated along its axis of rotation. During transverse grinding operations, it is necessary to compensate for the acute angle of the path along which the grinding wheel is moved relative to the axis of rotation of the workpiece. This may be done between traverse grind strokes by initiating movement of the grinding wheel toward the workpiece from a position in which the edge surface of the grinding wheel is offset from the plane of a radially extending shoulder surface. Upon completion of a grinding operation, the wheel is retracted to a clear point. Different clear points are used so that the grinding wheel is retracted to only the extent necessary when finishing portions of a workpiece having different diameters.