Automatic flow grind system and method

An automated system for machining servo-valves, comprising:

• (a) a computer-controlled measurement console, comprising means for testing a particular servo-valve comprising a spool and sleeve set using automatic flow, pressure, and displacement measurements, means for generating data for use in flow-gain and removal calculations to determine flow and pressure gain performance characteristics for the servo-valve, means for performing the flow-gain and removal calculations, and means for storing results thereof in a memory corresponding to a unique identifier for the spool and sleeve set;
• and
• (b) a computer-controlled grind console, coupled to the computer-controlled measurement console, comprising means for machining the particular servo-valve according to the results of the flow-gain and removal calculations, further comprising contact gaging means for measuring a land width and a gap between the land edges of the spool, and means for precisely grinding the spool's land edges so as to exactly match these edges with the sleeve slots to meet overlap/underlap requirements and performance requirements of the servo-valve, wherein the results of the flow-gain and removal calculations, the overlap/underlap requirements, and the performance requirements of the servo-valve are stored in a memory corresponding to the unique identifier for the spool and sleeve set.