Abstract: When a cast metallic fixture for holding workpieces in a grinding machine, it is broken up by subjecting its walls to bending and tensional stresses to destory webs which connect two walls of the fixture to each other, whereupon the walls are moved apart to afford access to the workpiece. The webs can be destroyed as a result of the application of mechanical stresses to the walls of the fixture by a breaking device which is inserted into a compartment of the fixture and is movable relative thereto in order to destroy the integrity of a connector between the walls.

Abstract: A cast metallic fixture for workpieces including twin turbine blades has two spaced-apart walls which surround portions of the exterior of a workpiece and several webs which connect the walls to each other. The fixture is made in a casting mold which has one or more inserts extending into the interior of a workpiece which is placed into the cavity of the mold preparatory to pouring of a molten alloy which is then caused to harden and to thus form the fixture. When the fixture has served its purpose of holding the workpiece in a grinding machine, it is broken up by subjecting its walls to bending and tensional stresses to destroy the webs, whereupon the walls are moved apart to afford access to the workpiece. The webs can be destroyed by melting simultaneously with or in lieu of the application of mechanical stresses to the walls of the fixture.

Abstract: A grinding machine wherein the spindle which supports a grinding wheel during removal of material from a workpiece and/or any one of several carriers for spare or substitute grinding wheels are movable relative to each other to positions in which a grinding wheel can be transferred from a selected carrier directly onto the spindle or vice versa. The carriers are mounted in or on a stationary or mobile magazine and their axes can extend radially of a horizontal axis or radially of a vertical axis. The carriers can form one or more rows or one or more annuli. The magazine can be mounted adjacent to the frame of the grinding machine, on a horizontally reciprocable table which supports a vertically or horizontally movable carriage for the spindle, or at a level above the normal level of the spindle.

Abstract: A grinding machine wherein the spindle which supports a grinding wheel during removal of material from a workpiece and/or any one of several carriers for spare or substitute grinding wheels are movable relative to each other to positions in which a grinding wheel can be transferred from a selected carrier directly onto the spindle or vice versa. The carriers are mounted in or on a stationary or mobile magazine and their axes can extend radially of a horizontal axis or radially of a vertical axis. The carriers can form one or more rows or one or more annuli. The magazine can be mounted adjacent to the frame of the grinding machine, on a horizontally reciprocable table which supports a vertically or horizontally movable carriage for the spindle, or at a level above the normal level of the spindle.

Abstract: A grinding machine wherein the spindle which supports a grinding wheel during removal of material from a workpiece and/or any one of several carriers for spare or substitute grinding wheels are movable relative to each other to positions in which a grinding wheel can be transferred from a selected carrier directly onto the spindle or vice versa. The carriers are mounted in or on a stationary or mobile magazine and their axes can extend radially of a horizontal axis or radially of a vertical axis. The carriers can form one or more rows or one or more annuli. The magazine can be mounted adjacent to the frame of the grinding machine, on a horizontally reciprocable table which supports a vertically or horizontally movable carriage for the spindle, or at a level above the normal level of the spindle.