Robot-Guided Bearing Machining for Normal-Direction Abrasive Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining processes for bearing components are time-consuming and inefficient due to manual adjustment of honing stones, misalignments leading to uneven surfaces, and lack of flexibility in movement paths, resulting in longer machining times and suboptimal material removal.

Innovation Solution

A machining unit comprising an industrial robot, abrasive tool, and controller that controls the movement path and orientation of the abrasive tool in the normal direction to the component's surface geometry, with load sensing and adaptive control to ensure uniform material removal and precise machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of honing stone is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming adjustments and longer machining times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustmentVSAvoidmachining time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the honing stone with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect surface geometry and automatically adjusts the movement path and orientation of the abrasive tool, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining ease of use through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting the component surface geometry and autonomously optimizing the honing stone's movement path and orientation without requiring manual intervention, thus improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If fixed movement path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates regarding different movement paths for different components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement path controlVSAvoidmovement path flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed movement path into a dynamic, adaptive trajectory that is automatically adjusted based on real-time detection of the component surface geometry, enabling the system to adapt to different components and surface features without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously detect the component surface geometry and feed this information back to the control system, which then automatically adjusts the movement path and tool orientation in real-time, providing adaptability while maintaining simple operation through automated feedback control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If honing stone orientation is not precisely controlled, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven material removal and variable surface quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehon e stone orientationVSAvoidsurface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual orientation control of the honing stone with an automated control system that precisely adjusts the tool's orientation based on detected surface geometry, ensuring consistent normal-direction contact and uniform material removal while maintaining ease of operation through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to detect the component surface geometry and automatically adjusts the honing stone orientation in real-time to maintain optimal contact angle, ensuring precise and uniform material removal across varying surface features without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves efficient, flexible, and precise machining with improved surface quality and reduced machining time, ensuring low form deviation and surface roughness, and enhanced compressive residual stress in bearing components.

Implementation Method 1

The machining unit comprises an industrial robot, at least one abrasive tool wherein the at least one abrasive tool is coupled to the industrial robot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS12571430B2Machining unit and method for machining a component

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

Disclosed is a machining unit for machining a bearing component. The machining unit includes an industrial robot and at least one abrasive tool. The at least one abrasive tool is coupled to the industrial robot and a controller. The controller is configured to control a movement path of the at least one abrasive tool such that a contact of the abrasive tool is in the normal direction to a surface of the component.