Automatic grinding

A machine for automatically performing grinding operations at predetermined locations along a workpiece comprising:

• an elongated fixed bed provided with means to receive and secure the workpiece to said bed against axial displacement relative to said bed, a sensing and grinding assembly mounted on said bed, said assembly including a first member mounted to be movable longitudinally relative to said bed, a second member mounted on said first member to be movable in a substantially vertical direction relative to said first member, a third member mounted on said second member to be transversely shiftable relative to both said second member and to said bed, a work head pivotally mounted on said third member to be rotatable relative to said third member about a substantially horizontal axis, a sensing probe and a grinding tool mounted in spaced relation on said work head, a central control unit including a micro-processor for controlling the operation of the individual elements of said sensing and grinding assembly in accordance with operating instructions and sensed information recorded in said control unit, means activated by said control unit for moving said sensing and grinding assembly in one direction along the entire length of the workpiece secured to said bed,, means operating said sensing probe during movement of said assembly in said one direction to sense and record in said control unit each location at which grinding is to be performed, means activated by said control unit for moving said sensing and grinding assembly along said workpiece in the opposite direction, and means operating said grinding tool during movement of said assembly in said opposite direction to effect the required degree of grinding at each recorded location sensed by sensing probe during movement in said one direction.