PCD Dressing Bar for Grinding Worm Envelope Profiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing grinding machines require excessive time and are not ideally suited for precisely profiling the envelope curve of the grinding worm, leading to reduced profitability and inefficiency in the dressing process.

Innovation Solution

A grinding machine equipped with a dressing bar having a dressing edge that corresponds to the target envelope curve of the grinding worm, allowing for rapid and precise dressing of the entire head area in a single process step, using a dressing bar made of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) that can be clamped and positioned for optimal contact with the grinding worm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a disk-shaped dressing tool is used to profile the envelope curve of the grinding worm, then the dressing process can be completed, but the process time is excessively long and the tool is not ideally suited for the task

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofiling precision of envelope curveVSAvoiddressing process speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable dressing bar with a dressing edge made of polycrystalline diamond that is consumed during the dressing process. This simple, replaceable tool replaces the complex disk-shaped dressing tool, enabling rapid profiling of the envelope curve in a single pass without requiring multiple adjustment steps, thus dramatically reducing dressing time while maintaining precision.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the disk-shaped dressing tool is guided in the direction of the axis of rotation to profile the envelope, then the envelope curve can be dressed, but this requires additional time that reduces profitability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvelope curve profilingVSAvoidadditional dressing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dressing function into two distinct components: a disk-shaped dressing tool for profiling the tooth-shaped profile (worm thread) and a separate dressing bar for profiling the envelope curve. This segmentation allows each tool to be optimized for its specific function, with the dressing bar capable of profiling the entire head area in a single rapid operation, eliminating the time-consuming guided movement required by the disk-shaped tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional dressing methods are used for the entire head area, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and less flexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead area coverageVSAvoiddressing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dressing bar serves as a universal tool that can profile the entire head area of the grinding worm in a single operation, regardless of whether the worm is cylindrical or globoid. The straight or curved dressing edge can be selected based on the worm type, providing multi-functionality that covers all head area profiling needs rapidly, enhancing both productivity and flexibility compared to traditional methods.

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

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 the time required for dressing the tooth-shaped profile of the grinding worm, enhancing the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of the grinding process while maintaining high quality, as the entire head area can be profiled in a fraction of the time needed with traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a dressing bar (8) which has a dressing edge (9), the shape of which corresponds to the target envelope curve of the grinding worm (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP1987920B1Grinding machine for grinding a gear wheel
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 KAPP GMBH & CO KG WERKZ MASCHFAB
  • EP1987920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1987920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1987920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine has a worm grinding wheel with a tooth shaped section (2), which partially consists of a trueable abrasive material and is rotatably arranged on a grinding spindle. A trueing device includes a trueing spindle, which supports a disc shape trueing tool, in such a manner that the trueing tool rotates around a rotary axis. A trueing guide rail (8) includes trueing edges (9) whose shape corresponds to a portion of a reference envelop.