Numerical control (NC) processor with onboard grinding unit

A numerical control (NC) processor with onboard grinding unit;

• comprising
• a work spindle supported for rotation on a headstock,
• chucking means installed on the work spindle to hold a workpiece therein,
• a Z-axis table having the headstock mounted thereon and allowed to move in a Z-axis direction lying along an axial direction of the work spindle,
• an X-axis table allowed to move in an X-axis direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction,
• a sliding base fastened to the X-axis table,
• a slider allowed to move back and forth over the sliding base in a Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction,
• a Y-axis cutting tool installed on the slider to cut the workpiece,
• a grinding unit installed on the X-axis table in close proximity to the sliding base,
• and a controller to regulate all the work spindle, the X-axis table and the slider;
• wherein the controller regulates reciprocating movements of the slider, X-axis table and the Z-axis table in synchronized relation with the rotation of the work spindle so as to first cut the workpiece with the Y-axis cutting tool into a preselected contour, and then finish a work surface of the workpiece with the grinding unit in conformity with a programmed contour while the workpiece remains held in the chucking means even after a preceding cutting operation.