Moving Coolant Nozzles for Grinding Slot Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In creep-feed grinding, it is challenging to precisely deliver coolant to the grinding tool/workpiece interface, especially when forming re-entrant shapes, as traditional nozzle configurations require high coolant flow rates and pressures due to changing distances, leading to inefficiencies and potential workpiece damage.
Innovation Solution
The coolant nozzles are mounted to move with the grinding tool, maintaining a constant distance to the tool, allowing for efficient coolant delivery directly into the slot during the grinding process, even when forming complex re-entrant shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional stationary nozzles are used to deliver coolant to the grinding tool, then coolant can be supplied to the grinding interface, but the distance between the nozzle and grinding tool changes constantly requiring high coolant flow rates and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant nozzle is mounted to move with the grinding tool, transforming the stationary nozzle system into a dynamic one that maintains constant relative positioning. This movement ensures the distance between the nozzle and grinding tool remains substantially unchanged, allowing efficient coolant delivery at reduced flow rates and pressures compared to traditional stationary nozzle configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant delivery system is integrated with the grinding tool mounting structure, combining the cooling function with the tool positioning system. This merging eliminates the need for separate stationary nozzle arrangements and complex positioning mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective coolant delivery
2Measurement precision
If nozzles are positioned manually by operators based on experience, then coolant delivery can be attempted, but precise delivery to the grinding interface is difficult achieving due to obscured view and flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for manual operator positioning by implementing a self-aligning mechanism where the nozzle is automatically positioned relative to the grinding tool through its mounting structure. This self-service approach ensures consistent, precise coolant delivery without requiring operator skill or experience, and without the need to visually observe the grinding interface for positioning adjustments
3Reliability
If high coolant flow rates and pressures are used to compensate for changing nozzle-to-tool distance, then coolant can reach the grinding interface, but coolant usage increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a dynamic nozzle mounting that moves with the grinding tool, the system maintains a substantially constant distance between the nozzle and tool throughout the grinding operation. This dynamic positioning ensures reliable coolant delivery to the grinding interface without requiring high flow rates or pressures, thereby reducing coolant consumption and energy loss while maintaining delivery reliability
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 reduces coolant usage, simplifies the delivery system, and prevents heat damage by ensuring consistent coolant application across the grinding interface, improving the quality of machined surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Coolant liquid is typically supplied to the grinding tool contact region ensuring workpiece cooling and grinding tool cooling and efficient cleaning
Implementation Method 2
It is known to use nozzles having one or more jets to deliver coolant to the wheel surface in large volumes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A system for removing material from a workpiece comprising: a mounted-point grinding tool configured to move from a first position to a second position traversing at least a portion of a slot in a workpiece and removing material from a surface of the workpiece; and a first nozzle configured to deliver coolant to the mounted-point grinding tool, wherein the first nozzle is configured to move with the mounted point grinding tool from the first position to the second position so that the distance between the first nozzle and the mounted-point grinding tool remains substantially unchanged. A second nozzle can be mounted on the opposite side of tool from first nozzle, with the second nozzle also configured to move with the grinding tool so that the distance between the first nozzle and the mounted-point grinding tool remains substantially unchanged during grinding.