Abstract: A system for tracking workpiece movement during grinding of the workpiece includes a track, a motorized carriage movably mounted on the track, a detector, and a controller. A position of the carriage is determined by an encoder of the track. The detector is mounted on the carriage and includes a detection window and a sensor. The sensor detects a workpiece edge during grinding by detecting an image of the workpiece edge in the detection window. The controller determines a grinding position of the workpiece based on position data received from the carriage and edge data received from the detector. The controller controls the carriage to move in a forward direction or in a reverse direction to maintain the position of the image of the workpiece edge in the detection window.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for automatically dressing a grinding wheel used to grind workpieces. A workpiece is scanned to determine dimensions of the workpiece. A computer-readable dimensions datafile is generated containing the dimensions of the workpiece. A processor electronically compares the dimensions of the workpiece with reference or desired dimensions to obtain comparison results, and generates a computer-readable comparison datafile containing the comparison results. The processor transmits the comparison datafile containing the comparison results to a CNC controller, which utilizes the comparison results to control a shaping tool used to shape or dress the grinding wheel so that the grinding wheel produces workpieces having the reference or desired dimensions.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus for loading workpieces to a grinding system includes a mount, a gas-supply coupler, a gas manifold, pneumatic cylinders, and grippers. The gas-supply coupler is supported by the mount and has a first end that detachably mates with a corresponding coupler attached to an external gas-supply conduit. The gas manifold is supported by the mount and is coupled to a second end of the gas-supply coupler. The pneumatic cylinders are supported by the mount, with each pneumatic cylinder being arranged to receive a supply of gas via the gas manifold. The grippers are respectively attached to the pneumatic cylinders. Each gripper has an opened state and a closed state brought about by controlled actuation of a corresponding pneumatic cylinder. The mount includes openings, with each of the openings being structured to receive a corresponding shaft for attaching the mount to a gantry assembly of the grinding system.

Abstract: A motorized blade rest apparatus for a grinding system includes a carriage, a ram assembly, a work rest assembly, a motor, and a computer processor. The carriage moves a regulating wheel along a first axis towards and away from a work wheel. The ram assembly, which moves along a second axis parallel to the first axis, supports the carriage and the work rest assembly. The work rest assembly includes first and second slide portions and a work rest blade. The first slide portion is mounted on the ram assembly. The second slide portion, which is movable relative to the first slide portion, moves along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis. The work rest blade is mounted on the second slide portion. The motor is coupled to the second slide portion, and the computer processor controls the motor to move the second slide portion along the third axis.

Abstract: A spool-fed grinding system includes a spooling system, a grinding machine, and a computer controller. The spooling mechanism includes a spool assembly from which wire is unwound, with the spool assembly having an axis of rotation on which a spool spins to unwind the wire. The grinding machine includes a grinding wheel, a linear movement mechanism, and a rotation mechanism. The linear movement mechanism holds and linearly moves the wire along a longitudinal axis during grinding, and the rotation mechanism rotates the wire about the longitudinal axis during grinding. The axis of rotation of the spool and the longitudinal axis generally are not transverse with each other. The computer controller is programmed to control coordinated operation of the spooling mechanisms and the grinding machine, such that the spooling mechanism is controlled to rotate the spool at a same rotation speed as a rotation speed of the wire during grinding.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus for loading workpieces to a grinding system includes a mount, a gas-supply coupler, a gas manifold, pneumatic cylinders, and grippers. The gas-supply coupler is supported by the mount and has a first end that detachably mates with a corresponding coupler attached to an external gas-supply conduit. The gas manifold is supported by the mount and is coupled to a second end of the gas-supply coupler. The pneumatic cylinders are supported by the mount, with each pneumatic cylinder being arranged to receive a supply of gas via the gas manifold. The grippers are respectively attached to the pneumatic cylinders. Each gripper has an opened state and a closed state brought about by controlled actuation of a corresponding pneumatic cylinder. The mount includes openings, with each of the openings being structured to receive a corresponding shaft for attaching the mount to a gantry assembly of the grinding system.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for automatically dressing a grinding wheel used to grind workpieces. A workpiece is scanned to determine dimensions of the workpiece. A computer-readable dimensions datafile is generated containing the dimensions of the workpiece. A processor electronically compares the dimensions of the workpiece with reference or desired dimensions to obtain comparison results, and generates a computer-readable comparison datafile containing the comparison results. The processor transmits the comparison datafile containing the comparison results to a CNC controller, which utilizes the comparison results to control a shaping tool used to shape or dress the grinding wheel so that the grinding wheel produces workpieces having the reference or desired dimensions.

Abstract: A motorized blade rest apparatus for a grinding system includes a carriage, a ram assembly, a work rest assembly, a motor, and a computer processor. The carriage moves a regulating wheel along a first axis towards and away from a work wheel. The ram assembly, which moves along a second axis parallel to the first axis, supports the carriage and the work rest assembly. The work rest assembly includes first and second slide portions and a work rest blade. The first slide portion is mounted on the ram assembly. The second slide portion, which is movable relative to the first slide portion, moves along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis. The work rest blade is mounted on the second slide portion. The motor is coupled to the second slide portion, and the computer processor controls the motor to move the second slide portion along the third axis.

Abstract: A grinding system for grinding feedstock includes a transport apparatus, a grinding apparatus, and a controller. The transport apparatus continuously transports feedstock of an arbitrarily long length at a desired feed rate, and the grinding apparatus grinds the feedstock transported by the transport apparatus. The controller controls a grinding position of the grinding apparatus and a longitudinal position of the feedstock during grinding to be coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A grinding system for grinding feedstock includes a transport apparatus, a grinding apparatus, and a controller. The transport apparatus continuously transports feedstock of an arbitrarily long length at a desired feed rate, and the grinding apparatus grinds the feedstock transported by the transport apparatus. The controller controls a grinding position of the grinding apparatus and a longitudinal position of the feedstock during grinding to be coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A grinding system for grinding feedstock includes a transport apparatus, a grinding apparatus, and a controller. The transport apparatus continuously transports feedstock of an arbitrarily long length at a desired feed rate, and the grinding apparatus grinds the feedstock transported by the transport apparatus. The controller controls a grinding position of the grinding apparatus and a longitudinal position of the feedstock during grinding to be coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the position of a moveable regulating wheel in a centerless grinding machine, to provide a varying contour to the object being ground. The control system includes sensing means which measures the feed rate at which the object is being fed into the grinding machine. The rate at which the regulating wheel is moved is adjusted based on the feed rate of the object being ground, thus providing a high degree of control over the final shape of the ground object.