Improved control system for grinding apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an improved control system for a grinding apparatus. There is also provided a grinding apparatus comprising: a grinder equipped with a spindle assembly having an output drive shaft, a plurality of grinding tools removably connected to the output drive shaft to grind working tips of different sizes and profiles, means for holding a rock drill bit to be ground, and a support system; and having a control system with a programmable operator control panel capable of directly or indirectly monitoring and adjusting one or more operating parameters, a programmable control card provided with a circuit board including a central processing unit, an RFID reader provided within the operator control panel together with a touch screen display, and an RFID reader provided within the control panel together with the touch screen display. When the free end of the grinding cup equipped with the RFID tag is inserted into the RFID reader, the proximity sensor detects the RFID tag and scans data on the tag, the data including a specific ID identifier for a specific grinding cup and the number of grinding cycles in which the grinding cup has been used.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with international application number PCT / CA2020 / 000076, Chinese application number 202080045820.6, application date June 25, 2020, and name “Improved Control System for Grinding Equipment”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to improvements in apparatus for grinding hard metal inserts or working tips for rock drill bits (percussive or rotary), tunnel boring machine cutters (TBM) and raised bore machine cutters (RBM), and more particularly, but not exclusively, to grinding cutting teeth for rock drill bits or cutters. Background Art

[0003] In drilling operations, the cutting teeth on a drill bit or cutter become flat (wear) after continued use. One contributing factor to premature failure of rock drill bits and poor drilling performance is operation beyond the repair point. Failure to regrind in a timely manner can be costly. Regular maintenance of the drill bit or cutter by regrinding (sharpening) the teeth to return them to essentially their original profile increases the life of the drill bit / cutter, increases drilling speed and reduces drilling costs. Optimally, regrinding should be performed when the teeth have worn to one-third to a maximum of one-half of the tooth diameter.

[0004] Regular maintenance of rock drill bits is important to maintain maximum penetration rates and avoid overheating of the drill bit, which can damage its metallurgical properties. Re-profiling the carbide teeth and removing excess steel is important in order to optimize the life of the drill bit, improve the performance of the entire drilling operation and reduce drilling and grinding costs.

[0005] A range of different manual and semi-automatic grinding equipment has been developed, including handheld grinders, single-arm and double-arm grinders, and grinders designed to be mounted on a rig, service vehicle, or installed in a shop.

[0006] These types of machines use a grinder with a spindle or rotor that rotates at high speed. A grinding cup or grinding pin, mounted on the end of the rotor or spindle, grinds the teeth and usually grinds the surface of the drill bit / cutter around the base of the tooth to restore the tooth to its substantially original profile for efficient drilling. In addition to the rotation of the grinding cup, these types of grinders may include features such as the grinder is mounted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tooth, and the grinder rotates to provide an orbital motion with the center of rotation at the center of the grinding cup. The centering aspect of the grinder tends to center the grinder above the highest point on the tooth as it is grinding the tooth.

[0007] Long-standing problems with these types of grinders are vibration and noise due to high rotational speeds, wear, the need for large compressors for the pneumatic system, and long grinding times for each tooth (larger size).

[0008] The grinding cup is typically constructed of a cylinder having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface or working surface consists of a diamond / metal matrix with a centrally located recess having the desired profile for the tooth to be ground. The edge around the recess may be adapted to remove steel from the drill face around the tooth base, for example by chamfering.

[0009] Water and / or air, optionally accompanied by some form of cutting oil, is provided to the grinding surface to flush and cool the surface of the tooth during the grinding process.

[0010] Grinding cups are available in different sizes and profiles to match the standard sizes and profiles of teeth on a drill or cutter. Typically the tooth diameter varies from 6mm to 26mm.

[0011] Several different methods have been used to attach and retain a grinding cup to a grinder. The grinding cup is typically retained in the grinder by inserting an upright hollow rod protruding from the top surface of the grinding cup into a chuck for removable mounting. Special tools such as chuck wrenches, nuts, and collets are necessary to insert, retain, and remove the grinding cup from the chuck.

[0012] In order to eliminate the need for a chuck wrench or the like, the use of a shoulder drive on the grinding cup was developed. A diametrically extending recess at the free end of the hollow drive shaft of the grinder cooperates with a shoulder or cam arrangement on the adjacent top surface of the grinding cup to provide the drive. To provide axial and radial support, the stem of the grinding cup is inserted into the hollow drive shaft and may be secured in place by one or more O-rings located in grooves in the inner wall of the drive shaft or on the stem of the grinding cup. See, for example, Swedish Patent No. B 460,584 and U.S. Patent No. 5,527,206.

[0013] For example, an alternative to the shoulder drive is shown in Canadian Patent 2,136,998. The free end of the stem of the grinding cup is machined to provide a flat drive surface on the stem that inserts into a corresponding drive member in the channel of the output drive shaft into which the stem is inserted. The grinding cup is held in place by a spring biased sleeve that forces a ball mounted in the wall of the output drive shaft into an annular groove on the stem of the grinding cup.

[0014] Other innovations are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,639,273 and U.S. Patent No. 5,727,994. In these patents, the upright rod has been replaced by a centrally disposed hexagonal cavity disposed in the top surface of the grinding cup. The shape and size of the cavity are designed to allow the output drive shaft of the grinding machine to be inserted into the cavity. The end of the output drive shaft has an end section having a corresponding hexagonal cross section to fit into the hexagonal cavity to provide a drive means. A second section of the output drive shaft has a circular cross section to fit into the cavity to provide axial and radial support.

[0015] In order to provide a grinding cup that is compatible for use with other manufacturers' grinders, some manufacturers provide adapters that connect their grinding cup to the output drive shaft of a competitor's grinder.

[0016] Regardless of the method of connecting the grinding cup to the output drive shaft of the grinder, it is important to optimize the operational stability of the grinding cup. Lack of operational stability often leads to vibrations and resonances during the grinding process. Vibrations and / or resonances also directly lead to increased wear rates on all moving parts of the grinding equipment (such as bearings, joints, etc.) and can potentially interfere with settings within the operating control circuits of the grinding equipment.

[0017] U.S. Patent No. 7,402,093 solves many of the problems of earlier machines and provides a grinding machine carried on a support system in which the grinding cup rotates at a variable speed, preferably from about 2200 RPM to 6000 RPM, and the support system is capable of providing a variable feed pressure, preferably or optionally up to 350 kg. In this type of machine, precise control of the feed pressure is required.

[0018] However, none of the known grinding systems provide management and / or grinding equipment suppliers with a means for monitoring, collecting and analyzing data regarding grinding cup and grinder usage and performance, particularly data from many different machines operated by different personnel in different locations. Summary of the invention

[0019] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a grinding apparatus for grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit, comprising: a grinder equipped with a spindle assembly having an output drive shaft with a longitudinal axis, one of a plurality of grinding tools of different sizes and profiles detachably connected to the output drive shaft to grind working tips of different sizes and profiles, and a control system capable of monitoring and collecting data about the operation and use of the grinding apparatus. The control system equipped with each grinder is not only used for monitoring and collecting data, but also capable of controlling one or more operating parameters in response to the input initial data and the data collected during the grinding process.

[0020] The control system in the disclosed embodiment has a programmable operator control panel that enables the operator to input data and a programmable control card that is arranged to be attached to the rear of the operator control panel, and the control card has a circuit board containing a central processor (i.e., a microprocessor or microcontroller) of the control system for the grinding device. The central processor can be located anywhere suitable for the application and can be appropriately interconnected with other sub-processors and / or sensors to monitor various functions that are considered necessary for proper operation and collect data from these functions. The entire control system includes a system and a controller, which together with the microprocessor or microcontroller can control all aspects of the grinding device, including the grinding time of each tooth, the rotation speed of the grinding cup, the grinding pressure, the drill holder tilt function, the operating light, and the coolant flow. The microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system can be used to provide other functions that are manual or automatic. For example, in the case of an electric motor, the microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system can monitor the current intensity and / or temperature being used, and if the preset limit is reached, the grinding pressure is automatically reduced to prevent the motor from burning out. The microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system can also control the flow of coolant to the tooth surface during grinding.

[0021] Additionally, the control panel software may be configured to allow the user to make a selection, such as prioritizing long grinding cup life or high material removal rate for the grinding cup.

[0022] An RFID reader can be provided in the operator control panel together with the touch screen display. When a grinding cup equipped with an RFID tag according to the present invention is scanned by the RFID reader, the proximity sensor detects the RFID tag and scans the data on the tag. The data preferably includes a specific ID identifier for a specific grinding cup and the number of grinding cycles it has been used so far. The ID identifier data includes the grinding cup size and the grinding surface profile. Once the RFID tag has been scanned, the data is transmitted to the programmable microprocessor, and the size and profile of the grinder can be displayed on the touch screen. If the grinding cup is not equipped with an RFID tag or other specific ID identifier, the operator will need to manually enter the data into the control system through the operator control panel.

[0023] Further features of the invention will be described or become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly understand the present disclosure, embodiments will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1is a perspective view of the right side of one embodiment of a grinding apparatus having a grinder carried by a support system for vertical and horizontal adjustment and means for holding a drill bit to be ground.

[0026] Figure 2 A spindle assembly having an output drive shaft according to the present disclosure Figure 1 A magnified view of the grinding machine.

[0027] Figure 3 is a grinding machine according to the present invention Figure 2 An enlarged plan view of a spindle assembly having an output drive shaft in the form of a rotatable drive section with a connected grinding cup.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the spindle assembly with the grinding cup connected taken along line AA.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-section of the rotatable drive member shown in FIG. 1 is taken along line BB.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a grinding cup according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Front plan view of the grinding cup.

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Partial cross section of the grinding cup taken along line AA.

[0033] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 Top plan view of the grinding cup.

[0034] Fig.10 is a photograph of a component of another embodiment of a grinding cup according to the present invention;

[0035] Fig.11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a grinding section and an upper body section of a grinding cup according to the present invention;

[0036] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 a perspective view of the grinding section shown;

[0037] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 A cross section of a grinding section and an upper body section of a grinding cup;

[0038] Fig.14is a schematic outline diagram of a network of multiple grinding devices with a control system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] refer to Figure 1 , shows an embodiment of a grinding apparatus, generally indicated at 1, having a grinder for grinding hard metal inserts or working tips of rock drill bits (percussive or rotary), tunnel boring machine cutters (TBM) and lift boring machine cutters (RBM), and more particularly, but not exclusively, for grinding cutting teeth or teeth of rock drill bits or cutters. The grinding apparatus 1 comprises a grinder 2, a device generally indicated at 3 for holding one or more drill bits to be ground, and a support system generally indicated at 4. The grinder 2, the device 3 for holding the drill bit and the support system 4 are arranged to allow relative movement between the grinder 2 and the drill bit to be ground to allow the grinder 2 to be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the teeth on the drill bit. The grinding apparatus 1 has a control system, a portion of which is generally indicated at 5, having a programmable operator control panel 6 capable of directly or indirectly monitoring and adjusting one or more operating parameters. The operating parameters may include feed pressure, grinding cup RPM, grinding time and other parameters as described herein.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the grinding apparatus 1 shown, the grinder 2 is carried by a support system 4 comprising an arm or lever system 7 journalled on a bracket 8 attached to the rear 9 of an open box 10. The drill bit holding device 3 consists of a table 11 mounted inside the box 10.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment of the grinding machine 2, it is suitable for Figure 1 The grinding device 1 is used together. Figure 2 The grinder 2 is shown attached to a plate below the control box 12. The grinder 2 is locked in place by a lever 13. The water-cooled electric motor, generally indicated at 14, has an outer housing defining a chamber in which the rotor and stator are located. A drive coupling at the bottom of the housing allows for the attachment of a spindle assembly 15. The drive coupling is inserted into a mating drive coupling 20 on the spindle assembly 15 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ). The spindle assembly 15 has an output drive shaft 16 to which the grinding cup can be connected. The spindle assembly 15 is attached to the electric motor housing 14 by bolts 17. Figure 2As shown, cooling water for delivery to the surface of the grinding cup is provided by a connecting structure 18. The electric motor 14 is preferably a three-phase motor. The motor may be hydraulic, electric, etc. without departing from the essence of the invention. The size of the outer housing is such that the grinder can be manually handled when necessary. For the latter purpose, the outer housing is provided with a handle that projects radially outwardly from the outer housing. Suitably connected to the output drive shaft 16 by any conventional means is a retaining device 24. In the embodiment shown, the retaining device 24 is an integral extension of the shaft 16 constituting a rotatable elongated drive member 25. The shaft 16 and the drive member 25 are provided with a coaxial channel 26 extending along the length or part thereof, through which a coolant / flushing fluid can be directed to the grinding cup supported thereon.

[0042] refer to Figure 3-5 , shows one embodiment of a spindle assembly, generally indicated at 15, for a grinding machine for grinding hard metal inserts or working tips of rock drill bits (percussive or rotary), tunnel boring machine cutters (TBM) and lift boring machine cutters (RBM) and more particularly, but not exclusively, for grinding cutting teeth or teeth of rock drill bits or cutters. The spindle assembly 15 can be used with a range of different manual and semi-automatic grinding machines, including hand-held grinders, single and double arm grinders and grinders designed for mounting on a drilling rig, service vehicle or in a shop. The spindle assembly 15 has an output drive shaft 16 to which, in the embodiment shown, a removable grinding cup 60 is connected.

[0043] The spindle assembly 15 is intended to be drivably connected to a motor of a grinding machine (not shown). The spindle assembly 15 is attached to the motor housing by bolts 17. A drive coupling at the bottom of the motor housing allows for attachment of a mating drive coupling 20 on the spindle assembly 15. The spindle assembly 15 has an output drive shaft 16 to which a grinding cup 60 can be removably connected. Cooling water for delivery to the surface of the grinding cup is provided by a connecting structure 18. Suitably connected to the output drive shaft 16 by any conventional means is a retaining device 24. In the embodiment shown, the retaining device 24 is an integral extension of the shaft 16 that constitutes a rotatable slender drive member 25. The shaft 16 and drive member 25 are provided with a coaxial channel 26 extending along the length or part thereof, through which a coolant / flushing fluid can be directed to the grinding cup 60 supported thereon, which is disposed at a position 140 and 140 of the rotational direction. Figure 6-13 The end portion 27 of the elongated drive member 25 extending from its free end 28 is provided with a centrally disposed recess 29 coaxial with the passage 26, which is adapted to accommodate an upstanding drive section of corresponding size and shape on the grinding cup 60 (see Figure 6-13 ).

[0044] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the inner wall 30 of the recess 29 in the drive member 25 is machined to allow the grinding cup 60 to be drivably engaged in the recess 29. In the embodiment shown, the recess 29 has a support section 32 extending from the free end 28 and coaxial with the channel 26. Adjacent to the support section 32 is a series of lobed grooves 33 machined into the inner wall 30. The size of a pair of opposing lobed grooves 33 is designed to match the elliptical portion of the drive section on the grinding cup 60. Adjacent to the series of annular grooves 33 is a second support section 34 in the recess 29. This design allows the upright drive section of the grinding cup 60 to be easily inserted into the recess 29 without requiring specific alignment of the drive member and the grinding cup. The grinding cup can be simply pushed onto the drive member 25 and can be rotated so that the elliptical drive section fits into the pair of lobed grooves 33. When the grinding cup 60 is positioned in the recess 29, the drive member 25 will rotate the grinding cup without slipping when in use. Furthermore, the present disclosure maximizes the contact surface between the upstanding drive section on the grinding cup 60 and the inner wall 30 of the recess 29 on the drive member 25. This reduces wear on all critical drive / contact surfaces of the output drive shaft (rotor) and the grinding cup that provide consistent, correct alignment between the grinding cup and / or adapter and the rotor during operation.

[0045] A retaining device may be provided in the recess 29 of the drive member 25 to removably retain the grinding cup 60 so that the grinding cup 60 does not fly out during use, but can still be easily removed or replaced after use. The retaining device may include one or more annular grooves 36 in the inner wall 30 within the support section 32 of the recess 29 in the drive member 25. An O-ring or expansion ring 37 may be inserted into the groove.

[0046] Figure 6-9 One embodiment of a grinding cup 60 according to the present invention for removably attaching to an output drive shaft 16 of a grinder for grinding teeth on drill bits or cutters is shown. The grinding cup 60 is comprised of a lower grinding section, generally indicated at 61, and an upper body section 62 coaxial with the grinding section 61 to form the grinding cup 60. A centrally disposed recess 63 is formed in a bottom surface 64 of the grinding section 61 having the desired profile for the tooth to be ground.

[0047] The bottom (grinding) surface 64 and the surface of the centrally disposed recess 63 formed in the bottom surface 64 of the grinding section 61 are formed of a material capable of grinding a tungsten carbide tooth drill bit. In the embodiment shown, the grinding surface is formed of a metal and a diamond matrix. The peripheral edge 65 in the bottom surface 64 is inclined to facilitate the removal of steel from the face of the drill bit around the tooth base during grinding.

[0048] The upper body section 62 has an upper base 66 having a centrally disposed upstanding drive section 67 formed on a top surface 68 of the base 66. The drive section 67 is shaped and dimensioned to drivingly engage within a corresponding recess 29 at the free end 28 of the output drive shaft 16 of the grinder. Retaining means, generally indicated at 68, for removably connecting a grinding cup to the output drive shaft of the grinder is disposed on the upstanding drive section 67. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining means comprises an annular groove 69 in an outer surface 70 of the upstanding drive section 67, which is sized and shaped to retain an O-ring 71.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the upright drive section 67 has a first support section 72 connected to the top surface 68 of the upper base 66 and having a circular cross-section. A coaxial drive section 73 on the upright drive section 67 extends from the top surface 74 of the first support section 72 to the free end 75 of the drive section 67. The coaxial drive section 73 has a lower portion 76 in the form of a cam having an elliptical cross-section, which is shaped and sized to fit into a corresponding pair of lobed grooves 33 in the side walls 30 of the recess 29 of the output drive shaft 16 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 The upper portion 77 coaxial with the lower portion 76 has a circular cross-section that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper portion 78 of the recess 29 in the output drive shaft 16.

[0050] A passage 79 passes through the upright drive section 67 and the upper body section 62. The passage 79 is coaxial with the upright drive section 67 and the upper body section 62 and communicates with one or more openings (not shown) in the grinding surface 64 through which coolant / flushing fluid can be directed to the surface of the tooth being ground during grinding.

[0051] As described above, the grinding device 1 has a control system, a portion of which is generally indicated at 5, with a programmable operator control panel 6 capable of directly or indirectly monitoring and adjusting one or more operating parameters. A programmable control card is provided attached to the rear of the operator control panel 6, which has a circuit board containing a central processor (i.e., a microprocessor or microcontroller) for the control system of the grinding device. The central processor can be located anywhere suitable for the application and can be appropriately interconnected with other sub-processors to monitor various functions that are considered necessary for proper function. The entire control system includes a system and a controller, which together with the microprocessor or microcontroller can control all aspects of the grinding device, including the grinding time of each tooth, the rotation speed of the grinding cup, the grinding pressure, the drill holder tilt function, the operating light and the coolant flow. The microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system can be used to provide other functions that are manual or automatic. For example, the microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system, in the case of an electric motor, can monitor the current intensity and / or temperature being used, and if a preset limit is reached, the grinding pressure is automatically reduced to prevent the motor from burning out. The microprocessor or microcontroller and the control system can also control the flow of coolant to the tooth surface during grinding.

[0052] Additionally, the control panel software may be configured to allow the user to make a selection, such as prioritizing long grinding cup life or high material removal rate for the grinding cup.

[0053] When using Figure 6-13 When a grinding cup of the type shown is used, an RFID reader 90 is provided in the operator control panel 6 together with a touch screen display 91. When the free end 75 of a grinding cup 60 equipped with an RFID tag according to the present invention is inserted into the RFID reader 90, the proximity sensor detects the RFID tag and scans the data on the tag. The data preferably includes a specific ID identifier for the specific grinding cup 60 and the number of grinding cycles it has been used so far. The ID identifier data includes the grinding cup size and the grinding surface profile. Once the RFID tag has been scanned, the data is transmitted to the programmable microprocessor, and the size and profile of the grinder can be displayed on the touch screen.

[0054] Fig.14 It is schematically shown how it is advantageous to utilize a grinding apparatus equipped with an improved control system according to the invention. Fig.14 A site is shown with a plurality of grinding apparatuses 140, 141, 142 according to the present invention. The control system of each of the grinding apparatuses 140, 141, 142 is networked and can communicate via the Internet or other connection with a server or virtual server located remotely from the grinding apparatus. Fig.14 A WiFi connection is shown, but other forms of connection (such as cellular) are possible.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the control system of the present invention, each operator of the grinding equipment is required to log in before using one of the grinding equipment and log out after use. The login can be through a touch screen display on the grinding equipment or a token (such as in the form of a key card) containing operator ID data, which can be scanned or connected when approaching the grinding equipment. Requiring operator login ensures that only personnel trained in the correct and safe operation of the grinding equipment can use it. Another benefit of management is that hard data about operator performance and efficiency can be communicated from the grinding equipment.

[0056] After the operator logs in and the grinding device is ready for normal operation, the operator places the drill bit into the device on the grinding device for holding the drill bit to be ground. Once the drill bit is secured, the operator selects Figure 6-13 A grinding cup of the type shown, having the appropriate size and profile for the teeth on the drill bit to be ground. Figure 6-13 When a grinding cup of the type shown is used, when the free end of a grinding cup equipped with an RFID tag according to the present invention is inserted into an RFID reader, a proximity sensor detects the RFID tag and scans the data on the tag. The data preferably includes a specific ID identifier for the specific grinding cup and the number of grinding cycles it has been used for so far. The ID identifier data includes the grinding cup size and the grinding surface profile. Once the RFID tag has been scanned, the data is transmitted to a programmable microprocessor, and the size and profile of the grinder can be displayed on a touch screen to confirm that the operator has selected the correct size and profile of the grinding cup. The control system tracks the use of the specific grinding cup and the grinding equipment that is using it, and records the number of cycles it has been used for. When the operator has finished using the specific grinding cup, he disconnects it from the output drive shaft and the free end of the grinding cup is inserted into the RFID reader so that the data of the number of cycles it has been used is transcribed to the RFID tag and transmitted to the server.

[0057] Use of the control system of the present invention provides valuable data to the management of a grinding facility regarding the operation, performance and life of not only the grinding cups but also the grinding equipment, and allows comparison of the performance of different grinding equipment in the same or different facilities.

[0058] The control system of the grinding equipment can be pre-programmed with recommended operating parameters for grinding cups of different sizes and profiles. Upon reading the RFID tag associated with a specific grinding cup, the control system can automatically set the grinding time and feed pressure for the grinding cup. In the event that the teeth are more or less worn than normal, the operator can be provided with an override capability to increase or decrease the grinding time and / or feed pressure.

[0059] By connecting each grinding device to the network and the internet, a control system equipped with transmitter and receiver capabilities allows the equipment manufacturer to be informed of error messages during the operation of the grinding device and to fix the errors and / or schedule maintenance on the grinding device. It also provides the manufacturer with a way to quickly install software upgrades or fixes. Finally, the data received by the manufacturer helps to design further improvements to the equipment.

[0060] Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention and certain possible modifications thereto, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible of further modifications in arrangement and detail and is not limited to the particular semi-automatic grinding apparatus shown.

[0061] It should be understood that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment only by way of example. Many variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether explicitly described or not.

Claims

1. A grinding device for grinding the working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit, comprising: A grinding machine, a device for holding a rock drill bit to be ground, and a support system including an arm or lever system for providing a controlled variable feed pressure during grinding, The grinding machine is equipped with a spindle assembly having an output drive shaft with a longitudinal axis, the spindle assembly providing a controlled variable rotational speed during grinding, a grinding cup removably connected to the output drive shaft for grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of the rock drill bit; a control system comprising: a programmable operator control panel configured to directly or indirectly monitor and adjust at least one operating parameter, wherein the operating parameter comprises feed pressure, grinding cup RPM, grinding time, or coolant flow; and a programmable control card comprising a circuit board and a central processor; and an RFID reader connected to the control system, the RFID reader having a proximity sensor configured to detect an RFID tag on the grinding cup, the RFID tag containing specific ID data including the size and profile of the grinding cup, the RFID reader configured to transmit the specific ID data to the control system to control the rotational speed of the output drive shaft and the feed pressure during grinding; The control system is capable of monitoring and collecting data regarding the operation and use of the grinding apparatus and is capable of controlling the at least one operating parameter in response to input initial data and data collected during the grinding process.

2. The grinding device according to claim 1, wherein the control system on the grinding device is equipped with a transmitter and a receiver to enable the grinding device to communicate with a server or a virtual server located remotely from the grinding device via the Internet.

3. The grinding device of claim 2, wherein the control system on the grinding device is configured to communicate with a server or virtual server located remotely from the grinding device over the Internet using a WiFi connection.

4. The grinding apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control system on the grinding apparatus is configured to communicate with a server or virtual server located remotely from the grinding apparatus over the Internet using a cellular connection.

5. The grinding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control system further comprises a touch screen display configured to display a size and an outline of the grinding cup.

6. A plurality of grinding devices, each of which is a grinding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control system of each of the plurality of grinding devices is networked together and configured to communicate with a server or virtual server located remotely from the plurality of grinding devices via the Internet or other connection.

7. A method for grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit using a grinding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising the following steps: (a) placing a rock drill bit to be ground into a device for holding a rock drill bit to be ground on the grinding apparatus; (b) once the rock drill bit is secured, selecting a grinding cup having a size and profile corresponding to the size and profile of the working tip to be ground, the grinding cup having an RFID tag containing data including a specific ID identifier for the specific grinding cup; (c) using an RFID reader to scan the RFID tag on the grinding cup and transmit the data on the RFID tag to the central processor; (d) removably connecting the grinding cup to the output drive shaft of the grinding machine and aligning the grinding cup with the longitudinal axis of the working tip to be ground; (e) performing grinding, wherein at least one operating parameter of feed pressure, grinding cup RPM, and grinding time is controlled, monitored, and adjusted by the control system during grinding; (f) the control system monitors and tracks the number of cycles during which the grinding cup is used; (g) When use of the grinding cup is completed, disconnecting the grinding cup from the output drive shaft of the grinder.

8. A method of grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit according to claim 7, wherein an operator is logged in prior to using the grinding apparatus.

9. A method of grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit according to claim 8, wherein the logging in is performed via a touch screen display on the grinding device or a token containing operator ID data.

10. The method of grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit according to claim 7, wherein step (c) comprises: The size and profile of the grinding cup are displayed on the touch screen display to confirm that the operator has selected the correct size and profile of the grinding cup.

11. The method of grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit according to claim 7, wherein after step (g), data of the number of cycles the grinding cup has been used is transcribed to an RFID tag on the grinding cup.

12. A method of grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit according to claim 7, wherein there are a plurality of grinding apparatuses, and wherein the control system of each of the plurality of grinding apparatuses are networked together.

13. A grinding device for grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of a rock drill bit, the grinding device comprising: a grinding machine carried on a support system journalled on a support and comprising means for holding one or more drill bits to be ground, The grinding machine is equipped with a spindle assembly having an output drive shaft with a longitudinal axis and means for removably holding a grinding cup for grinding a working tip of a hard metal insert of the rock drill bit, The output drive shaft is driven by a motor to rotate the grinding cup about its longitudinal axis, The support system includes an arm or lever system to control the movement of the grinder to align the grinder with the hard metal insert to be ground and to control the feed pressure for the grinder during grinding, and A programmable control system that monitors, controls and adjusts at least one operating parameter, wherein the operating parameter includes feed pressure, grinding cup RPM, grinding time or coolant flow, the programmable control system including an RFID reader and a touch screen display, the RFID reader having a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor configured to: detect an RFID tag on a grinding cup, the RFID tag containing specific ID data including the size and profile of the grinding cup; and scan the specific ID data on the RFID tag, the RFID reader configured to transmit the specific ID data to the programmable control system to control the system to control the rotational speed of the output drive shaft and the feed pressure during grinding, and display the size and profile of the grinding cup on the touch screen display.

14. The grinding device according to claim 13, wherein the programmable control system on the grinding device is equipped with a transmitter and a receiver, and the transmitter and the receiver are configured to enable the grinding device to communicate with a server or a virtual server located remotely from the grinding device via the Internet.

15. The grinding apparatus of claim 14, wherein the programmable control system on the grinding apparatus communicates with a server or virtual server located remotely from the grinding apparatus over the Internet using a WiFi connection.

16. A plurality of grinding devices, each of which is a grinding device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the programmable control system of each of the plurality of grinding devices is networked together and configured to be able to communicate with a server or virtual server located remotely from the plurality of grinding devices via the Internet or other connection.

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