Abstract: The invention is an electrolytic microfinishing process which utilizes a conductive tool as a cathode and a conductive workpiece as an anode both connected to a power supply. Electrolytic fluid is pumped between the tool and workpiece, creating a decomposition of the workpiece surface allowing the surface of the workpiece to be removed or wiped away by the interaction of the flowing electrolyte and rotation of the tool without generating any heat at a rate significantly faster than any other known machining process. The tool has no contact with the workpiece and accordingly, requires very low clamping loads to hold the workpiece in the spindle during the finishing operation. Due to the low clamping loads, the distortion of the workpiece is completely eliminated. Modulating the power supply during the work cycle allows the use of a single tool for both roughing and finishing as a continuous cycle to significantly provide surface finishes previously unobtainable.

Abstract: A valve seat for a ball valve, especially a fuel-injection valve for an internal-combustion engine is finely ground to form a trough in the conically-ground seat with a circular arc cross section in planes of the axis and of a depth to eliminate shape variations in the conically-ground valve seat. The circular arc radius of the trough is greater than the radius of the ball.

Abstract: A brake disk is machined the by first fitting to a wheel hub centered on a hub axis and having a radially projecting flange a wheel bearing having an outer bearing race formed with an axially directed mounting surface for attachment to a motor vehicle. Then the mounting surface of the outer bearing race is clamped axially to a stationary workpiece carrier so as to mount the wheel hub on the workpiece carrier. A brake disk having a pair of opposite faces extending substantially perpendicular to the axis is then secured to the flange and the wheel hub and the brake disk are rotated about the axis. Then the faces of the rotating brake disk are engaged with machining tools to surface machine the faces.

Abstract: A valve seat for a ball valve, especially a fuel-injection valve for an internal-combustion engine is finely ground to form a trough in the conically-ground seat with a circular arc cross section in planes of the axis and of a depth to eliminate shape variations in the conically-ground valve seat. The circular arc radius of the trough is greater than the radius of the ball.

Abstract: A process for surface grinding of a flange surface of a wheel hub onto which a brake disk can be mounted for a motor vehicle includes the mounting of the wheel bearing on the wheel hub before the grinding operation. An outer bearing ring is then clamped on a stationary support and, as the wheel hub is rotated, the surfaces ground by a cup-shaped grinding disk rotated about an axis parallel to that of the axis of rotation of the hub.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of thin-walled workpieces is held for machining in a machine in a respective rigid holder. Ends of unmachined workpieces are each first imbedded in a molten body of a metal alloy having a melting point between 45.degree. C. and 140.degree. C. contained in a respective one of the rigid holders in a cooling station and having a negative expansion coefficient. The holder and the alloy body are cooled in the cooling station to solidify the body around the imbedded end of the unmachined workpiece and the cooled holder is displaced with the unmachined workpiece from the cooling station into the machine. After machining of the workpiece in the holder, the holder is displaced from the machine into a heating station where it is heated to melt the alloy body. Then the machined workpiece is lifted out of the molten body in the heating station and the holder with the molten alloy body is recirculated from the heating station to the cooling station.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of thin-walled workpieces is held for machining in a machine in a respective rigid holder. Ends of unmachined workpieces are each first imbedded in a molten body of a metal alloy having a melting point between 45.degree. C. and 140.degree. C. contained in a respective one of the rigid holders in a cooling station and having a negative expansion coefficient. The holder and the alloy body are cooled in the cooling station to solidify the body around the imbedded end of the unmachined workpiece and the cooled holder is displaced with the unmachined workpiece from the cooling station into the machine. After machining of the workpiece in the holder, the holder is displaced from the machine into a heating station where it is heated to melt the alloy body. Then the machined workpiece is lifted out of the molten body in the heating station and the holder with the molten alloy body is recirculated from the heating station to the cooling station.

Abstract: A part-spherical surface having a center of curvature at a workpiece axis is surface finished by rotating the workpiece about the workpiece axis and rotating about a tool axis a tool having a body of substantially greater diameter than the workpiece. The tool has an end formed by a part-spherical seat of the same radius of curvature as the workpiece surface, having a center of curvature on the tool axis, and having an outer periphery of predetermined diameter substantially less than the tool-body diameter, and by a generally frustoconical surface centered on the tool axis and having a small-diameter end adjacent and of generally the same diameter as the seat outer periphery and a large-diameter end spaced axially rearwardly therefrom and joined to the tool body. The tool and workpiece axes are tilted relative to each other so they intersect at an obtuse attack angle smaller than 180.degree. and the tool and workpiece are pressed axially together to engage the surfaces together.

Abstract: A method for aligning, relating to both line and grade, and interconnecting a first pipe with a second pipe as well as an apparatus utilizing the method. The method disclosed includes the steps of engaging the inner wall of the first pipe with a first pipe engaging means, engaging the inner wall of the second pipe with a second pipe engaging means, drawing the first end of the first pipe into engagement with the second end of the second pipe, engaging the ground adjacent the second end of the first pipe with ground engaging means, and adjusting the position of the pipe on the ground through manipulation of the ground engaging means.