Cam controlled machine for forming non-standard surfaces

A grinding apparatus for grinding a surface of a workpiece comprising:

• a cam member having a surface corresponding to the surface to be ground on the workpiece,
• a cam follower engaging the surface of the cam member,
• means for fixing the workpiece relative to said cam member,
• means for rotating said cam follower so as to cause relative movement of the cam surface with respect to the cam follower,
• means for supporting the workpiece and cam member for movement in accordance with the surface of said cam member, said means comprising:
• a spindle connected to said cam member and said workpiece, said spindle and the workpiece connected thereto being rotated and translated by action of said cam member and cam follower, and
• first, second and third annular support means that are nested together with the spindle inside the first support means, the first support means inside the second and the second support means inside the third,
• said spindle and said first and second support means being mounted for rotation about a spindle axis, a first axis and a second axis of rotation, respectively, said spindle axis, first axis, and second axis being parallel to one another and spaced apart from each other, said first and second support means rotating with respect to each other about said first and second axes of rotation, respectively, as a result of translational motion imparted to said spindle by action of said cam member and cam follower, and
• grinding means for engaging the surface of the workpiece to be ground as the cam surface moves relative to the cam follower.