Cup Grinding Wheel Internal Coolant Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cup grinding wheel systems fail to provide optimal cooling at the machining area, leading to rapid tool wear, overheating, and inconsistent workpiece finishing due to inefficient coolant distribution, resulting in high manufacturing costs and complex constructions.

Innovation Solution

A cup grinding wheel assembly where jets of coolant are directed against the inner circumference channel, propelled by centrifugal force, and distributed through passages to the annular front surface, ensuring precise cooling at the contact area between the grinding wheel and workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If coolant is fed through external nozzles adjacent to the grinding wheel, then the construction is simple, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and the coolant does not reach the exact machining area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant delivery system is nested within the cup grinding wheel structure itself. The coolant is fed through the spindle, along the inner circumferential channel, and distributed through passages in the cup body, placing the cooling function inside the grinding wheel rather than external to it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner circumferential channel acts as an intermediary structure that receives coolant from the spindle and distributes it through passages to the machining area. This intermediary channel enables precise coolant delivery without requiring complex external nozzle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If coolant is fed through passages in the rotating spindle, then the cooling reaches the machining area, but the construction becomes complicated and costly with additional joints and contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant delivery function is merged with the cup grinding wheel structure. The inner circumferential channel and passages are integrated into the cup body, combining the grinding function and coolant distribution function into a single unified component, eliminating the need for separate complex nozzle systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cup grinding wheel structure itself serves the dual purpose of grinding and coolant distribution. The passages formed in the cup body automatically distribute coolant to the machining area without requiring external control systems or complex joint mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional coolant distribution methods are used, then the construction is simple, but the tool wear is excessive and workpiece finishing is non-constant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidworkpiece finishing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant is delivered locally and precisely to the machining area through passages in the cup body. This localized coolant application ensures optimal cooling exactly where needed, maintaining consistent workpiece finishing quality and reducing tool wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant is pre-positioned in the inner circumferential channel and passages before reaching the machining area. This preliminary positioning ensures that coolant is already in place to provide immediate and effective cooling as the grinding contact occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enhances cooling efficiency, reduces tool wear, achieves uniform workpiece finishing, and simplifies the construction while maintaining economic viability.

Implementation Method 1

jets of coolant are directed against the wall of an inner circumference channel of the cup grinding wheel. The coolant is pushed by centrifugal force along the entire circumferential extension of the channel and from this through the aforesaid passages formed in the body of the cup grinding wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3260236B1Method and system for feeding a cooling fluid during machining of a workpiece by means of a cup grinding wheel, and cup grinding wheel used therein
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 BIESSE SPA
  • EP3260236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3260236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3260236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

During machining of a workpiece (L) by means of a cup grinding wheel (8) controlled by a rotating spindle (3), coolant is fed into the area of contact between the annular front surface (91) of the cup grinding wheel (8) and the workpiece (L) being machined, by means of passages (81) formed in the body of the cup grinding wheel (8) and leading to said annular front surface (91). These passages (81) receive coolant fed by one or more coolant dispensers (10) arranged in fixed positions on the outside of the spindle (3) and configured to direct jets of coolant inside the cup grinding wheel body and through the aforesaid passageways leading to the annular front surface (91) of the cup grinding wheel (8). In the annular front surface (91) of the cup grinding wheel (8), at least one circumferential continuous groove (T) is formed that follows a wavy path, in order to cover a predominant portion of the radial extension of the aforesaid annular front surface (91) of the cup grinding wheel (8).