Pivoting Tool Spindle for Collision-Free Gear Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for grinding face gears, such as Hirth gears, face economic disadvantages due to long shift paths and time-consuming tool changes, which reduce profitability and accuracy in the grinding process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves arranging the toothing at the front of the workpiece and pivoting the tool spindle or workpiece by a predetermined angle, allowing the grinding tools to be guided past each other without collision, enabling a short shift path and quick tool spindle movement, thus eliminating the need for lengthy traversing distances and tool changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long axial distance is chosen between roughing and finishing grinding wheels to avoid collision, then the grinding wheel not in use does not collide with the workpiece, but the shift path becomes long causing non-productive time and reduced profitability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by pivoting the tool spindle from the axial direction (first dimension) to an angular direction (second dimension). Instead of moving the tool spindle along the axial direction to achieve a long shift path, the tool spindle is pivoted by a predetermined angle (e.g., 10-30 degrees) about an axis perpendicular to the axial direction. This angular movement allows the grinding wheel not in use to be positioned clear of the workpiece without requiring a long axial shift path, thereby avoiding collision while maintaining short non-productive time and high productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If automatic tool change between roughing and finishing tools is carried out, then different tools can be used separately, but time is consumed reducing cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the roughing grinding wheel and finishing grinding wheel into a single tool spindle, allowing both wheels to be mounted on the same spindle. This eliminates the need for tool changes between roughing and finishing operations. The tool spindle can be pivoted to bring either the roughing or finishing wheel into engagement with the workpiece, enabling seamless transition between operations without the time loss associated with automatic tool changes, while maintaining the adaptability to use different wheel types
3Productivity
If the grinding wheel is moved through a tooth gap without contact (gap travel), then the shift movement is short, but this is not possible when toothing is located on the end face of a cylindrical gear wheel body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from axial movement (along the gear axis) to angular pivoting movement (about an axis perpendicular to the gear axis). For face gears where gap travel is not possible, the tool spindle is pivoted by a predetermined angle to achieve the necessary clearance. This angular movement provides the equivalent of a short shift path while being applicable to face gears, thereby maintaining productivity and expanding versatility to different gear types
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 approach significantly reduces idle time and increases the profitability and accuracy of the grinding process by allowing for a short shift path and rapid tool spindle movement, enabling efficient and precise machining of spur and Hirth gears.
Implementation Method 1
a large part of the oversize to be removed is machined... with profile grinding wheels... the final contour of the profile is produced, with only the rest of the allowance being ground off
Implementation Method 2
the at least one tool spindle (or in kinematic reversal the workpiece) rotates by one axis of rotation pointing in the direction of the first axis
Implementation Method 3
the at least one tool spindle (or in kinematic reversal the workpiece) is pivoted by a predetermined angle from a basic position into a pivoted position such that the grinding tool that is not engaged can be guided past the profile to be machined without colliding
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for grinding a profile (1) of a workpiece (2) with a gear or profile grinding machine (3), wherein the profile (1) to be ground is successively ground first in a roughing operation with a roughing grinding tool (4) and subsequently in a finishing operation with a finishing grinding tool (5), wherein the roughing and finishing operations remove excess material from the profile (1), wherein the roughing and finishing tools (4, 5) are arranged coaxially to each other on a common tool spindle (6) or on two separate tool spindles, and wherein a translational traversing movement is generated between the grinding tools (4, 5) and the workpiece (2) in the direction of a first axis (x) to execute a grinding stroke.To improve the efficiency and quality of the grinding process, the invention provides that the at least one tool spindle (6) or the workpiece (2) is pivoted by a predetermined angle (α) from a basic position (I) to a pivoting position (II) during the roughing or finishing operation about a rotary axis (A) pointing in the direction of the first axis (x) so that the grinding tool (5) which is not engaged can be guided past the profile (1) to be machined without collision.