Mobile CNC Wood End Mill Grinder with Optical Geometry Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding machines for end mills are complex, require skilled operation, and are often fixed in place, making them impractical for use in various departments and increasing sharpening times and costs, especially for wood working applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact, automatic grinding machine with optical reading for geometric characteristics and CNC actuation, capable of being mounted on a trolley for mobility, featuring a profiled grinding wheel assembly that can orient to sharpen both right- and left-handed helical flutes and tip cutting edges, with automated movement and adjustment for precise sharpening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed grinding machine is used to ensure precision sharpening, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as the machine cannot be moved to serve different departments or machines
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding machine is designed with mobile characteristics, allowing it to be moved to different locations within the workshop to serve various chip-forming machines. The machine maintains its precision capabilities while gaining adaptability through its mobile design, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and mobile versatility.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex grinding machine with multiple stations is used to sharpen different cutting edges, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and requires skilled operation
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding machine is designed with a universal single station that can sharpen both lateral helical cutting edges and front cutting edges by adjusting the orientation of the grinding wheel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized stations, reducing machine complexity while maintaining sharpening precision across different cutting edge types.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinding wheel assembly can be dynamically oriented and positioned to sharpen different types of cutting edges (lateral helical and front cutting edges) with a single station. This dynamic adjustability allows one station to perform multiple sharpening functions, simplifying the overall machine structure while preserving precision capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to control the grinding process, then ease of operation is improved for simple tasks, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to operator skill requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates automatic control systems that manage the grinding process parameters, wheel positioning, and feed rates. This self-service capability allows the machine to maintain high precision automatically without requiring highly skilled operators, while still being simple enough for personnel of limited skill to operate after basic training.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a portable grinding machine is used to improve mobility, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to stability concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The machine combines mobile characteristics with stable operation during grinding. The mobile design allows movement to different locations, while the grinding station provides stable positioning and rigid support for the grinding wheel and workpiece, ensuring precision is maintained despite the machine's portable nature.
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
The machine simplifies the sharpening process, allowing operation by personnel of limited skill, reduces operator burden, ensures high-quality sharpening, and facilitates movement between departments, thereby reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an adapted optical reader which checks the geometry of the mill in three points: the tip, the central region and the end part toward the shank
Implementation Method 2
a single profiled grinding wheel mounted on an assembly which can be oriented with respect to the mill, capable of performing the sharpening of the left-handed or right-handed helical flutes and of the respective tip cutting edges
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic grinding machine (1) for end mills for wood (7), programmable with optical reading of the geometric characteristics and computerized sharpening, constituted by a compact structure which can be rested on a fixed bench or on a movable trolley for service on machines for chip-forming machining. The grinding machine (1) has a computerized control panel (2) for CNC management, which actuates in cooperation and coordination various assemblies adapted for automated sharpening. A first optical reading assembly (5) with an arm (4) for automatic movement from an inactive position (3) to a position for detecting the geometric characteristics of the end mill (7). A second assembly (6) for holding the end mill (7), which is horizontal and longitudinal with respect to the machine, capable of moving on command forward and backward and/or simultaneously rotate the mill about its own axis. A third assembly (10) for supporting a cup grinding wheel (11) is mounted on the vertical frame (9), which rests on a circular and horizontal base capable of rotating on said plane. The grinding wheel can arrange itself above and below, longitudinally to the mill and/or in front of it, both on the right side and on the left side, in order to be able to sharpen end mills for wood of the type with left-handed helix and of the type with right-handed helix.