US 7,118,446 B2 · Grinding apparatus and method

Abstract

A grinding assembly for shaping work pieces that includes one or more grind spindles. Each of the grind spindles include two independent grinding wheels driven by a single spindle drive. The grind spindles translate horizontally to perform both edge and face grinding with a single grind spindle. A non-contact position sensor in a work spindle measures work spindle displacement during grinding and provides feedback to the grind spindle to regulate the force imparted on the work piece by the grind spindle. In variations, an abrasive wheel disposed radially with respect to an axis of spindle rotation is utilized to perform edge grinding of the work piece. In other variations cleaning, polishing and grinding are carried out in a single grinding assembly. In yet other variations, a wheel dressing apparatus is utilized to dress the wheel when one or more forces to maintain productivity of the grind wheel exceed a threhold.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A grinding apparatus comprising:

a grind spindle comprising an axis;
a first and second face grinding portions engaged with the grind spindle wherein the first and second face grinding portions are axially disposed and configured to rotate about the axis with the second face grinding portion being positioned about the first face grinding portion and the first face grinding portion is axially movable relative to the second face grinding portion;
a chuck that supports a work piece contacted by at least one of the first and second face grinding portions to grind a portion of a face of the work piece;
an air bearing spindle coupled to the chuck, where the air bearing spindle comprises a thrust plate that is enclosed by a housing with the thrust plate being positioned relative to the housing by an air bearing;
and
a non-contact sensor positioned and configured to sense displacement of the thrust plate within the air bearing with respect to the housing.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Grinding apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Grinding apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17