Grinding machine with CNC pivotable workhead

In a grinding machine having a wheelhead with a grinding wheel rotatable about an axis and a workhead with workpart fixturing means holding a workpart on another axis, said wheelhead and workhead being carried on machine member means, the combination of

• (a) a workhead support means on which the workhead is carried, said support means including a pivotable shaft means rotatably mounted on the machine member means by bearing means and on which the support means is pivoted relative to the wheelhead to vary the angular relationship of the workpart axis relative to the grinding wheel axis and including a driven portion remote from the pivotable shaft means,
• (b) means drivingly engaging the driven portion of workhead support means remote from the pivotable shaft means for pivoting the workhead support means and its pivotable means,
• (c) means for controlling the angular position of the workhead support means and workhead thereon, including rotary shaft position indicating means on and rotatable with the shaft for determining the angular position of the workpart axis by indicating angular movement of the pivotable shaft means of said workhead support means with respect to a reference position and means for actuating the pivoting means to pivot the workhead support means on its pivotable means until the position indicating means indicates that a position is reached corresponding to a desired angular relationship of the workpart axis to the grinding wheel axis, and
• (d) fluid lift means between the workhead support means and machine member means remote from the pivotable shaft means adjacent the driven portion to counterbalance mass of the workhead support means and workhead thereon during pivoting.