Grinding Machine for Mold Inner Surfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current grinding machines for molds, especially those used in steel ingot casting, face challenges in achieving precise dimensional accuracy and efficient processing due to the conical shape of the radial inner surface, requiring costly and time-consuming measurement and CNC programming, and are limited in reaching all areas of large molds without complex crane systems.

Innovation Solution

A grinding machine design featuring a motor-driven grinding device with a support device that applies uniform contact pressure via a pressure device, allowing for precise machining without CNC control and enabling grinding of large molds without crane assistance, with a rotating mechanism for full access and adjustable contact pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If CNC-controlled grinding machines are used to achieve precise dimensional accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to measurement and programming requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement and programming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding device uses its own weight and a spring mechanism to automatically apply consistent grinding pressure against the mold surface, eliminating the need for external measurement and CNC programming systems. The device self-regulates the grinding force through mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex CNC measurement and control systems with a simple, inexpensive mechanical grinding device that achieves sufficient precision through its basic mechanical design without requiring costly auxiliary systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If semi-automatic grinding machines are used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to manual rotation and limited accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine complexityVSAvoidgrinding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding device is suspended from above and can rotate around the mold's longitudinal axis, providing access to all surfaces including vertical and overhead areas. This top-down approach with rotational capability eliminates the need for manual repositioning and crane operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The single grinding device can process all surfaces of the mold (horizontal, vertical, and overhead) through rotation, making one device universally capable of grinding any mold surface without requiring multiple machines or complex positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If long-arm grinding machines are used to reach large molds, then adaptability is improved, but contact pressure is insufficient resulting in longer processing times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold size adaptabilityVSAvoidgrinding speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism applies downward force on the grinding device, using gravitational force and spring tension to ensure sufficient contact pressure between the grinding wheel and mold surface, compensating for the light weight of the long-arm positioning device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism provides dynamic contact pressure that automatically adjusts to maintain consistent grinding force, allowing the device to adapt to varying mold geometries while maintaining sufficient pressure for efficient material removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If molds are rotated by crane to access all surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface accessibilityVSAvoidsetup and repositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the heavy mold horizontally, the lightweight grinding device rotates around the mold's axis from above, providing access to all surfaces without moving the mold itself, thereby eliminating time-consuming crane operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than moving the heavy object (mold) to access different surfaces, the invention moves the lightweight grinding device around the stationary mold, inverting the traditional approach and dramatically reducing repositioning time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design enables faster, more cost-effective, and precise grinding of large molds without the need for precise measurement or CNC programming, reducing setup times and processing costs while achieving high contact pressure for efficient material removal.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure device which supports the grinding device and the support device against one another and presses against the radial inner surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectContact pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a motor-driven grinding device for machining the radial inner surface of the mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2578358B1Grinding machine and method for processing the interiors of moulds
Publication Date: 2014.03.19 SCHWEISSTECHN DUESSELDORF
  • EP2578358B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2578358B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2578358B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The grinding machine (10) has a grinding device (13) which is positioned at one end (15) of an arm (14) of positioning device (12) and positioned relative to an radial inner surface (17) of a mold (11). The grinding device has a motor-driven grinding unit for processing of radial inner surface of the mold. A support unit is arranged opposite to a radial inner surface of the mold along longitudinal axis (20). A pressing device is supported on the support unit, for pressing against the radial inner surface of the mold. An independent claim is included for method for inner processing of mold.