Back to results
US 4,790,697 AGranted
Automatic grinder
AssigneeHines Industries, Inc.
InventorsGordon E. Hines, Lee D. Case, Ronald W. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the automatic balancing of workpiece having diverse surface geometry is disclosed. The balancing machine of the present invention provides for computer numerical controls in the balancing and material removal operations. The processes provide for alternative methods of material removal and further provides for the balancing operation to be self-calibrating and self-programming.
Claims24
A process for determining the amount and angle of workpiece unbalance and applying a corrective removal application comprising the steps of:
- positioning a workpiece on a support;
- rotating such workpiece to determing the amount and angle of unbalance in the workpiece;
- stopping the rotation of the workpiece and orienting the workpiece relative to a material removal device;
- calculating a material removal rate for the workpiece, such calculation being based upon a data base having correction information relating to specific correction parameters;
- positioning said material removal device into contact with the workpiece;
- activating such material removal device to eliminate workpiece material according to said calculated material removal rate.
3 more elements
An improved balancing machine comprising, in combination:
- a base member;
- support means for receiving a workpiece positioned on said base member;
- drive means for rotating such workpiece;
- sensor means for determining the amount of unbalance and the angle of such unbalance of said workpiece;
- encoding means to stop such rotation and precisely position such workpiece relative to a material removal means, said material removal means being adjustable to accomodate distinct workpiece shapes and provide material removal at a variety of locations on such workpieces;
- means for activating said material removal means to remove a preestimated amount of material from such workpiece, said activating means including a positioning means to place said material removal means in communication with such workpiece and a second sensor means for determining such communication;
- and,
- programmable control means for regulating the operation of said drive means, encoder means, and material removal means.
5 more elements
A process for determining the amount and angle of workpiece unbalance and applying a corrective material removal application comprising the steps of:
- positioning a workpiece on a support;
- rotating such workpiece to determine the amount and angle of unbalance in the workpiece;
- stopping the rotation of the workpiece and orienting the workpiece relative to a material removal device;
- calculating a material removal rate for the workpiece;
- positioning such material removal device into contact with the workpiece;
- activating such material removal device to remove workpiece material according to said calculated material removal rate.
3 more elements
A process for determining the amoun and angle of workpiece unbalance and applying a corrective material removal application comprising the steps of:
- positioning a workpiece on a support;
- rotating such workpiece to determine the amount and angle of unbalance in the workpiece;
- providing information to a controller relating workpiece geometry and parameters;
- calculating a material removal rate based upon said geometry and parameter information;
- calculating a material removal area on such workpiece based upon said geometry and parameter information;
- controlling the positioning of a material removal device with respect to the workpiece, such controlling being based upon said geometry and parameter information;
- activating a material removal device to eliminate workpiece material.
4 more elements
An improved balancing machine comprising, in combination:
- a base member;
- support means for receiving a workpiece positioned on said base member;
- drive means for rotating such workpiece;
- sensor means for determining the amount of unbalance and the angle of such unbalance of such workpiece;
- encoding means to stop such rotation and precisely position such workpiece relative to a material removal means;
- means for activating said material removal means to remove a preestimated amount of material from such workpiece, said activating means including a positioning means to place said material removal means in communication with such workpiece, said positioning means including a second sensor means for determining the contact between said material removal means and such workpiece, maintaining the contact between said material removal means and such workpiece and for determining the amount of force applied by said material removal means to such workpiece;
- and,
- programmable control means for regulating the operation of said drive means, encoding means, and material removal means.
5 more elements
An improved balancing machine comprising, in combination:
- a base member;
- support means for receiving a workpiece positioned on said base member;
- drive means for rotating such workpiece;
- sensor means for determining the amount of unbalance and the angle of such unbalance of such workpiece;
- encoding means to stop such rotation and precisely position such workpiece relative to a material removal means;
- means for activating said material removal to remove a preestimated amount of material from such workpiece, said activating means including a positioning means to place said material removal means in communication with such workpiece;
- and,
- programmable control means for regulating the operation of said drive means, encoding means and material removal means and for calculating the material removal rate of said material removal means.
5 more elements
An improved balancing machine comprising, in combination:
- a base member;
- support means for receiving a workpiece positioned on said base member;
- drive means for rotating such workpiece;
- sensor means for determining the amount of unbalance and the angle of such unbalance of such workpiece;
- encoding means to stop such rotation and precisely position such workpiece relative to a material removal means wherein said material removal means includes more than one distinct grinding head and further includes a distinct sensing apparatus for each distinct grinding head, each of said distinct sensing apparatuses operating to determine contact between each of said grinding heads and such workpiece and for determining the amount of force applied by each of said grinding heads to such workpiece;
- means for activating said material removal means to remove a preestimated amount of material from such workpiece, said activating means including a positioning means to place said material removal means in communication with such workpiece;
- and,
- programmable control means for regulating the operation of said drive means, encoding means and material removal means.
5 more elements
An improved balancing machine comprising, in combination:
- a base member;
- support means for receiving a workpiece positioned on said base member;
- drive means for rotating such workpiece;
- sensor means for determining the amount of unbalance and the angle of such unbalance of such workpiece;
- encoding means to stop such rotation and precisely position such workpiece relative to a material removal means;
- means for activating said material removal means to remove a preestimated amount of material from such workpiece;
- and,
- programmable control means for regulating the operation of said drive means, encoding means and material removal means and for calculating a material removal rate for a given workpiece using information retained in a data base, such data base being compiled as a result of previous material removal operations on like workpieces.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.