Grinding Machine Tailstock Centre Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding machines for operative cylinders, such as those in rolling mills and paper mills, face challenges in efficiently positioning and supporting cylinders of varying lengths and weights, requiring time-consuming and labor-intensive manual or complex automatic setup processes due to the need for precise axial movement and support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A grinding machine with a piece-holder head and tailstock centre equipped with linear guides and endless screws having discordant helicoidal threading, allowing simultaneous movement along a common direction, along with lunettes that can move linearly, simplifies the setup process by enabling rapid and accurate positioning of cylinders of different lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning of tailstock centre and lunettes is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but setup time increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent positioning mechanisms (tailstock centre positioning and lunettes positioning) into a single integrated mechanism. The tailstock centre and at least one lunette are coupled to move simultaneously along the common axis when the tailstock centre is actuated, eliminating the need for separate manual positioning operations and significantly reducing setup time while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the lunettes relative to the tailstock centre through the coupled movement mechanism. By establishing the relative positions in advance through a single actuation action, the system eliminates the need for subsequent individual adjustments, thereby reducing overall setup time
2Productivity
If automatic positioning system is implemented, then setup velocity and precision are guaranteed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by merging multiple independent automatic positioning systems into a single integrated mechanism. Instead of requiring separate motors and control systems for the tailstock centre and each lunette, the invention couples them mechanically so that a single actuation source moves all components simultaneously, maintaining high setup velocity and precision while minimizing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tailstock centre positioning mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the tailstock centre itself and simultaneously positions the coupled lunettes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated positioning mechanisms for each component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automatic positioning capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual positioning of tailstock centre and lunettes is used, then adaptability to different cylinder lengths is achieved, but number of adjustment operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning functions for the tailstock centre and lunettes into a single coupled movement system. This allows the system to adapt to different cylinder lengths through one coordinated adjustment operation rather than multiple separate operations, maintaining full adaptability while reducing the number of adjustment steps required
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 configuration significantly reduces setup time and enhances precision and versatility, allowing for efficient handling of cylinders with diverse dimensions and geometries, facilitating both manual and automatic loading systems while minimizing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
both the piece-holder head and the tailstock centre possibly the lunettes being equipped with linear guides and endless screws having discordant helicoidal threading, so that they can be moved in a simple, accurate and rapid manner
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a grinding machine (10) for operative cylinders, of the type comprising a piece-holder head (13) and a tailstock centre (12) between which an operative cylinder is positioned for being ground, said machine (10) comprising moving means (16, 90, 97) associated with both the piece-holder head (13) and the tailstock centre (12) to allow them to be moved along a common movement direction. A further object of the present invention relates to a grinding method.