Abstract: A grinding machine utilizes a gantry type loader for exchanging workpieces with the work support spindle of the machine. The loading head of the gantry loader has a rotatable workpiece gripper assembly to switch the parts end-for-end during the loading and unloading process. The loading head is also fitted with nonrotating workpiece grippers which are spring biased to mechanically grip and extract a grinding wheel tool from a grinding wheelhead and exchange the tool with a different tool located in a tool support pocket of a tool storage matrix at a position remote from the grinding wheel head.

Abstract: A grinding machine has a base and a pair of work support bars journalled within the base. A table is journalled with the support bars in such fashion that it is axially movable along the parallel spaced bars and pivotable around one bar central axis while the other bar is radially displaced relative to the base. A pair of ramp surfaces having ramp planes disposed transversely to the pivot axis of the table are provided on the radially movable bar, such that a wedge feed is accomplished by relatively moving a powered wedging device along the ramp plane to thus radially move the movable bar, thereby causing table feed movement with respect to the base. A work support head stock is preferably carried on the base, and a wheelhead having a rotable grinding wheel is carried on the table, so that pivotal movement of the table causes relative feed movement of the grinding wheel with respect to a supported workpiece.

Abstract: A gage controlled grinding method for oppositely disposed commonly tapered end bores in a workpiece, maintaining a constant spacing of two identical bore gage diameters independent of part length is disclosed. A machine such as an internal grinding machine utilizes a drive plate and support shoes for locating and driving the workpiece, and a pair of gage fingers are provided at axial points proximal and distal to the drive plate. A first tapered bore in the outboard end of the workpiece is ground and gaged to a predetermined diameter at a first fixed gage distance from the curve plate. The workpiece is turned end-for-end on the drive plate, and the previously finished bore is sampled by a second gage finger located at a second fixed gage distance from the drive plate. The sampled diameter is compared with a predetermined stored value, and the sampled diameter is subtracted from the predetermined stored value to generate a difference value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the infeed of a grinding machine senses the interface force between a grinding wheel and a workpiece to control infeed for grinding a workpiece with diverse grindability characteristics. The infeed is increased in response to an increase in the sensed force until the interface force reaches a predetermined level; while the interface force is decreased to a predetermined level in response to a decrease in the sensed force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for grinding a surface upon a workpiece having disparate grindability characteristics. A mechanical cam is used in the preferred embodiment to model the characteristics of a cylindrical surface and is rotated with the workpiece. The cam imparts motion to a follower which in turn imparts the motion to a pulse generator. Electrical signals which are dependent upon the angular orientation of the workpiece and the grindability characteristics of a circumferential sector of the workpiece in grinding contact with an abrasive wheel are produced by the pulse generator and used to partially control the infeed movement and the interface force between the workpiece and the abrasive wheel.

Abstract: Grinding machine having annular dressing wheel whose inner surface is used for dressing.

Abstract: Internal grinding machine having wheelhead mounted on an elongated cylindrical bar whose axis extends parallel to but substantially spaced from the axis of the abrasive wheel, the bar being mounted in bearings and the relative movements of the wheelhead for producing a grinding cycle being accomplished by rotation of the bar about its axis and by longitudinal motion of the bar along its axis.