Abstract: Apparatus for grinding irregular surfaces of a workpiece includes a frame, a slide movable longitudinally on this frame, a shaft mounted for rotation on the slide and having a workholder mounted on it, a grinder adapted to contact the surface to be ground, and gearing operable by movement of the slide to cause the shaft to simultaneously rotate and move longitudinally to bring the surface to be ground into contact with the grinder. The frame is slidably movable on a base which supports a cam in contact with a cam follower on the shaft so as to move the workholder away from the grinder when there is a gap in the surface to be ground.

Abstract: In grinding non-uniform workpieces rotating about a longitudinal axis an endless abrasive belt passes over a contact roll in tangent contact. The rotating workpiece is pressed against the belt at the tangent point and the belt is passed around the workpiece on at least one side from the contact point. The amount of wrap is sufficient to heat the workpiece relatively uniform. Either plunge or traverse grinding may be used.

Abstract: A tool for grinding irregular surfaces such as transition welds includes a base adapted to rest on the surface of the workpiece, a track on the base and a carriage which moves longitudinally of the weld with one end on the track and the other end of the carriage having a roll which contacts the top of the workpiece. A trolley is supported on the carriage for transverse movement and carries a grinding wheel and its motor. Guide tracks on the carriage cause the grindling wheel to move in a non-linear path. The base is placed in position and the grinding wheel is reciprocated transversely as the carriage reciprocates longitudinally. If the weld is longer than the carriage movement, the base is moved after the grinding is finished at the first position to a second position adjacent thereto and the operation is repeated until the weld is completely ground as desired.

Abstract: A belt grinder for grinding a rotating non-circular work piece includes three rotatable rolls around which an abrasive belt moves. The rolls are arranged in a triangular manner with one of the rolls being the work roll which is slidably mounted toward and away from the workpiece. Resilient means applies a force to urge the work roll in the direction of the workpiece with the force increasing as the work roll moves toward the axis of the workpiece.

Abstract: A self-centering roll includes a body, a first layer of rubber surrounding the body, and a second layer of rubber surrounding the first layer, the rubber on the first layer being softer and of lower density than the rubber in the second layer. Flexible projections are formed in the second layer of rubber on each side of the transverse center of the roll extending outwardly from the roll body toward the transverse center of the roll.

Abstract: A self-centering roll has two tubular end rim portions mounted on a straight shaft by means of a deflectible end web connected to the outer end of each end rim portion. Each end web includes a bearing mounted on the shaft and a compressible member extending between and connected to the bearing and associated rim portion. An inner web mounted on the shaft adjacent the inner end of each end rim portion includes an eccentric hub, bearings mounted on the eccentric hub and a member eccentric with respect to the shaft axis mounted on the outside of the bearing concentric with the bearing axis. The eccentricities of the inner webs are the same so that the rim portions rotate on axes that intersect at a point between the inner webs and are arranged at the same angle to the shaft axis. In one embodiment the end rim portions are arranged with a slight space between their adjacent ends.