Abstract: An actuating device (10) actuates jaws (12) of a steady rest (11). The jaws can be used for clamping or supporting a workpiece (13). The actuating device includes a carrier (18) with a mounting side (20) to which the steady rest (11) can be mounted. An outer end (27b) of an actuating part (27) projects away from the mounting side (20) of the carrier (18) and includes a connecting arrangement (29) as the interface for the connection with an input part (14) of the steady rest (11). An inner end (27 c) of the actuating part (27) is movably coupled with a piston (35) of a pneumatic cylinder (36) via a coupling arrangement (34). The coupling arrangement 34 includes a slide (40) that is immovably connected to the piston (35), said slide having on it at least one slotted gate (44). The slotted gate (44) defines a gate path oriented obliquely to longitudinal direction L and to height direction H, along which gate path the at least one gate element (46) can be guided in a movable manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting a convention centerless grinding machine to a centerless grinding machine having a servo motor mounted inside the top slide using an internal servo motor bracket. The servo motor bracket is bolted to the spindle head assembly housing and is cantilevered into the top slide to allow required tilt adjustment of the regulating wheel with respect to the top slide while maintaining correct alignment of the servo motor with the regulating wheel spindle. The bracket includes slots allowing a servo motor belt tension to be adjusted. The tension adjustments are conveniently made through an existing opening in the top slide. Locating the servo motor inside the top slide using the internal servo motor bracket of the present invention significantly reduces conversion costs and servo motor maintenance otherwise required by the environment the centerless grinder is operated in, for example, oils and the presence of metal grindings.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an outer diameter (O.D.) centerless grinding machine for use in grinding a diamond workpiece has a grinding wheel positioned parallel to a regulating wheel which is adapted to press a cylindrical workpiece into the grinding wheel as the regulating wheel rotates. Electronic equipment may be adapted to adjust a pressure of the regulating wheel against the grinding wheel. Also, a carrier may be adapted to house the workpiece, the carrier being attached to a translation mechanism adapted to move the carrier between the wheels such that the workpiece is in contact with both wheels.

Abstract: To provide a centerless grinding method which facilitates a tooling change and enables automation. A blade 11 is disposed slidable along a first straight line 101, i.e., Y axis, a grinding wheel 7 is disposed slidable along a second straight line 102, i.e., X axis, and a regulating wheel 9 is disposed slidable along a third straight line 103 intersecting with the second straight line at an angle ?2. At a tooling change, then, the blade is moved in a negative direction of the Y axis with an increase in diameter of a workpiece, the grinding wheel is moved in a negative direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece, and the regulating wheel is moved in a positive direction of the Y axis and also in a positive direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece. With this, angles ? and ?, which a contact angular position reference line S makes with line segments OB and OR, are made always constant.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an outer diameter (O.D.) centerless grinding machine for use in grinding a diamond workpiece has a grinding wheel positioned parallel to a regulating wheel which is adapted to press a cylindrical workpiece into the grinding wheel as the regulating wheel rotates. Electronic equipment may be adapted to adjust a pressure of the regulating wheel against the grinding wheel. Also, a carrier may be adapted to house the workpiece, the carrier being attached to a translation mechanism adapted to move the carrier between the wheels such that the workpiece is in contact with both wheels.

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: During centerless cylindrical grinding, attention must be paid to the fact that the workpiece (3) is placed in a very specific position between the grinding wheel (1), the regulating wheel (2) and the support guide (4). The optimal position of the workpiece (3) initially set cannot be maintained as a result of the progression of the grinding process and the changes caused by said process in the diameter and contour of the workpiece (3). The invention provides a solution to said problem, whereby height adjustment and/or the oblique position of the support guide (4) are automatically modified in accordance with the progression of the grinding process and during said grinding process with the purpose of achieving operationally optimal readjustment. The progression of the grinding process can be detected using measuring techniques, e.g. by measuring the diameter of the workpiece (3) or its deviation from roundness and using said measurement as output variable for adjusting the support guide (4).

Abstract: A centerless cylindrical grinding machine, for through-feed and in-feed grinding of various workpieces (8), has a first driven positioning axis XS for a grinding spindle head (2) with a grinding wheel (1) and a second driven positioning axis XR, running parallel to the positioning axis XS, for a regulating spindle head (4), with a regulating wheel (3). The positioning axes XS and XR are arranged perpendicular to the rotation axes (5, 6) or the grinding wheel (1) and the regulating wheel (3). A workpiece support (7) on a carriage (12) and an inner- or outer-acting wheel-true device (9) are arranged between the grinding spindle head (2) and the regulating spindle head (4). During operation, the grinding spindle head (2), the regulating spindle head (4), the workpiece support (7) and the wheel-true device (9) are located within a safety housing (15).

Abstract: A centerless grinding apparatus (10) includes an outer diameter surface grinding wheel (11) for grinding the outer diameter surface of a work (1) of a substantially cylindrical shape, a regulating wheel (12) for supporting the outer diameter surface of the work (1) in conjunction with the outer diameter surface grinding wheel (11) and an end surface grinding wheel (21) for grinding the end surface of the work (1). The end surface grinding wheel (21) grinds the end surface of the work (1) while the outer diameter surface grinding wheel (11) grinds the outer diameter surface of the work (1) in a state that the work (1) is disposed between the outer diameter surface grinding wheel (11) and the regulating wheel (12).

Abstract: A method of machining a disk for a toroidal-type continuously variable transmission, has the steps of fixing a disk to a core bar having a pair of reference portions for rotation at both end thereof, clamping the reference portions by a first center and a second center opposing the first center, abutting a first flat surface portion formed on one side surface of the disk against a reference for axial abutment, machining a first traction surface formed on another side surface of the disk, inverting the disk with the disk fixed to the core bar, clamping the pair of reference portions by the first center and the second center, abutting a second flat surface portion formed on the other side surface of the disk against the reference for axial abutment and machining a second traction surface formed on the one side surface of the disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for grinding rollers, also for grinding hollow rollers. As the rollers tend to vibrate transversally as a result of the contact with the grinding disc, a cushioned body is applied to the opposite side of the roller from the grinding disc, said body being engaged pneumatically against the roller and adapting at least partially to the contours of the roller. The cushioned body consists of an elastic solid material or an elastic external skin that is filled with an elastic pressurized medium. The engagement pressure of the cushion is adjustable. This is achieved by a pneumatic advance cylinder located on a base, said cylinder having a piston that can be impinged on both sides and that bears on its piston rod a fixing plate comprising the elastic cushion. The advance cylinder is connected to compressed air conduits, P indicating the conduit comprising a pressure regulator and L indicating the return conduit in the standard case.

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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rectifying cylindrical articles, in particular nuclear fuel pellets. In said method, in characteristic manner, the dust generated by the rectification by a working grind wheel acting on said pellets remains confined and practically all of it is entrained beside said working grind wheel so as to be taken away by forced suction.

Abstract: A centerless grinder 1 according to the present invention comprises a bed 108, a grinding wheel spindle stock 101, a regulating wheel spindle stock 102, a work rest 103, and the like. The grinding wheel spindle stock 101 and the regulating wheel spindle stock 102 are respectively moved toward and away from each other by feed devices 10, 10. The feed devices 10, 10 respectively comprise feed screws 11, 11 each having one end fixed to the work rest 103. Nuts 12, 12 are respectively retained in the grinding wheel spindle stock 101 and the regulating wheel spindle stock 102 in threading engagement with the feed screws 11, 11 so that axial movements thereof along the feed screws 11 are restricted and rotational movements thereof about axes thereof are permitted. The nuts 12, 12 are respectively rotated by driving motors 15, 15.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rectifying cylindrical articles, in particular nuclear fuel pellets. In said method, in characteristic manner, the dust generated by the rectification by a working grind wheel acting on said pellets remains confined and practically all of it is entrained beside said working grind wheel so as to be taken away by forced suction.

Abstract: A method and a grinding machine for centerless angular plunge grinding a workpiece are disclosed. The workpiece is rotatable about a first axis and has essentially cylindrical sections of different diameter and at least one shoulder located between the sections. The grinding wheel has a conically shaped periphery and is rotated about its axis inclined relative to the workpiece axis by a predetermined angle. The grinding wheel is brought into engagement with the workpiece with at least an axial surface line of its periphery. The grinding wheel and the workpiece are fed-in relative to one another by a predetermined amount of overmeasure. The feeding-in is effected in at least two steps. In a first step the feeding-in is effected essentially in a radial direction. In a second step the feeding-in is effected essentially in an axial direction. In the first step essentially the overmeasure in the area of the cylindrical sections is removed. In the second step essentially the overmeasure of the shoulder is removed.

Abstract: The time to grind a workpiece can be reduced by selecting a grinding wheel whose width is not substantially greater than wheel strength considerations require, and which may therefore be less than the axial length fo the region to be ground providing a work rest or work steady to increase the workpiece stiffness if required, and performing a succession of plunge grinding steps so as to grind the whole of the said axial region. Typically the grinding wheel is an electroplated CBN wheel, and the width of the grinding wheel selected is the narrowest permissible given the desired feed rate and motive power available.

Abstract: A vacuum-hydrostatic shoe especially suited for supporting a workpiece in metalworking operations is disclosed. The vacuum-hydrostatic shoe is comprised of a body with a support surface confronting the workpiece. Preferably the support surface is shaped to substantially conform to the workpiece shape. The shoe body comprises hydrostatic pockets. Each hydrostatic pocket has a first pressure opening defined in the support surface and a second pressure opening fluidly connected to a respective first pressure opening. The second pressure openings are also fluidly connected to a supply of pressurized fluid so that a flow of pressurized fluid can be created between the shoe body and the workpiece. The shoe body further comprises a vacuum pocket. The vacuum pocket has a first vacuum opening defined in the support surface and a fluidly connected second vacuum opening. The second vacuum opening is also fluidly connected to a source of vacuum to create a vacuum pressure between the shoe body and workpiece.

Abstract: This invention is related to a steady rest, which employs a pair of parallel, sliding, linear moving clamping bars for moving wear pads or rollers toward a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-contact gauging in precision machining, which comprises a sensor arm, a sensor head, a display device, a data entry device, a rotary encoder, and positioning device. The sensor head has a coarse contact sensor and a fine non-contact sensor for initial positioning and precision control, respectively.

Abstract: A spindle, comprised of a spindle body and an indexing fixture, is configured to retain, and rotatingly drive, a crankshaft relative to a grinding tool, so that each pin on the crankshaft is ground with a high degree of precision. A locking mechanism, such as a pair of jaws with complementarily shaped teeth, is interposed between the spindle body and the indexing fixture. Pressure is applied to one side of the locking mechanism so that the jaws are normally engaged and the spindle body and the indexing fixture rotate as a unit. Motive power for such fixture is supplied by a single servomotor secured to a primary drive shaft, which is joined to a secondary drive shaft, through an offset coupling, to define a motorized spindle.The indexing fixture is bolted, or otherwise secured, to the free end of the secondary drive shaft. A bearing block in the indexing fixture receives and retains, the main shaft of the crankshaft; clamping arms with clamp shoes press the shaft downwardly into the bearing block.

Abstract: In a method for minimizing the roundness error in an workpiece having a generally circular periphery during centerless grinding of the workpiece, the workpiece is rotatably supported on the upper surface of a first workpiece support between the grinding wheel and the second workpiece support, with the first support rotatably supporting the workpiece in contact with said grinding wheel and said second support. The .alpha.-setup angle and .beta.-setup angle cooperate with a cutting ratio to define the transfer function of a lobing loop system in the complex u-plane, and the lobing stability of the lobing loop system is thereby determined. The workpiece is rotated against the rotating grinding surface of the grinding wheel, and the magnitude and frequency of grinding disturbances causing the roundness error in the workpiece are detected. The .beta.

Abstract: A gage for a thrufeed centerless grinder for post process gaging of a work piece in which the gage is mounted for movement so as to track along a moving work piece as it is moved along a path of travel from the grinder. The gage is movable in two directions mutually orthogonal to the path of travel of the work piece as it exits the grinder so as to track along the cross-section of the moving work piece enabling the gage to measure the work piece diameter. Movement of the gage is provided for by rotation about two axes wherein the gage motion is an arcuate direction having substantial vector components in the mutual orthogonal directions to the work piece path of travel.

Abstract: A device at centreless grinding machine incorporating a frame (1), a regulating wheel carriage (7) individually displaceably supported on guides (2) in the frame and supporting a regulating wheel (9), a grinding wheel carriage (3) individually displaceably supported on guides (2) in the frame and supporting a grinding wheel (4), said regulating and grinding wheels (9, 4) between them defining a grinding gap (10) of adjustable size, a work support (11) provided in the grinding gap, and dressing means for the regulating and grinding wheels, said grinding and regulating wheel carriages (3, 7) each being designed with at least two spaced apart supporting points (5a, 6a; 13a, 14a) relative to the guides, wherein said carriages are arranged in an overlapping relation thus that one supporting point (6a; 14a) for one of the said carriages (3; 7) is situated between the two supporting points (13a, 14a; 5a, 6a) for the other carriage (7; 3), for the purpose of compensating thermally dependent length variations at said

Abstract: A centerless grinding machine comprises a stationary disk, a following disk, and a shoe, which cooperate to hold and rotate a workpiece. The following disk is mechanically loaded to the bias towards the stationary disk and the shoe so that the workpiece is secured between an outer circumference of the disks and the shoe. A diameter detector detects an outside diameter of the workpiece by detecting a displacement of the following disk by the workpiece. From this information, a controller controls an X-Z grinder to grind an inner surface of the workpiece. This grinding is in response to the outside detector detected by the diameter detector. As a result, the inner diameter can be machines to closer tolerances than are available in the outer diameter.

Abstract: When a cylindrical single crystal ingot terminating in generally conical parts at the opposite ends thereof is machined with a cylindrical grinder which is adapted to support the ingot in place by fastening the conical parts of the ingot to a spindle side chuck and a tailstock side chuck severally provided with a conical hole and grind and finish the cylindrical part of the ingot while keeping the ingot driven on the spindle side, the ingot is liable to produce idle rotation possibly to the extent of disrupting the grinding work.

Abstract: A multiple purpose lathe which can include a special valve polishing device, a camshaft lap device and other mechanisms. The valve polishing device includes a pair of generally axially parallel, rotatable rollers positioned to bear against and support a valve stem held therein while being polished by a movable belt. The camshaft lap device includes, optionally, a movable wheel bearing against the polishing belt which, in turn, bears against the camshaft being polished.

Abstract: A method of grinding plural journal portions of a workpiece with plural grinding wheels. In the method, a pair of work rests are used to support two selected journal portions, and the selected two journal portions have a larger initial diameter as compared with the rest of the journal portions. Initially, the selected journal portions are ground without using the work rests. When the diameter of the selected journal portions becomes substantially equal to the diameters of the rest of the journal portions, the work rests are advanced to support the selected journal portions. After that, the grinding wheels are again advanced to grind all the journal portions.