Rectilinear Grinding Machine Edge Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass sheet grinding machines face challenges in efficiently grinding edges and corners, leading to increased cycle times, size and shape errors, and reduced productivity due to the need for manual adjustments and the limitations of pneumatic or mechanical actuator systems.
Innovation Solution
A rectilinear grinding machine with a motorized conveyor system and numerically controlled linear actuators allows for high-speed grinding of glass sheets without edge chipping, enabling precise edge machining and reducing cycle times by using electric linear actuators to position grinding wheels accurately and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pneumatic or mechanical actuator devices are used to move grinding wheels, then the grinding machine can operate, but the size and shape accuracy of the finished product deteriorates and cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic or mechanical actuator devices with a numerically controlled linear actuator system. This substitution enables precise positioning of grinding wheels along two axes while maintaining high-speed operation, thereby improving manufacturing precision without sacrificing productivity. The numerical control system allows for accurate trajectory control of the grinding wheels, eliminating the accuracy issues associated with pneumatic/m Mechanical actuators.
2Productivity
If the feeding speed of the glass sheet is increased to improve productivity, then production efficiency improves, but the risk of damaging the sheet increases due to sudden impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the grinding wheel positioning system through numerical control. The linear actuators can adjust the position and speed of grinding wheels in real-time to match the feeding speed of the glass sheet. This dynamic adaptation allows high-speed operation while preventing sudden impacts that could damage the sheet, as the grinding wheels can be precisely positioned and their motion can be smoothly controlled throughout the grinding process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments of actuators are made for production changes, then the machine can adapt to different dimensions, but dead time increases limiting production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a numerically controlled system that enables programmable adjustment of grinding wheel positions and trajectories. For production changes or dimension variations, the system can be reprogrammed with new parameters without requiring manual physical adjustment of actuators. This feedback-controlled numerical system allows rapid adaptation to different glass sheet dimensions and edge geometries, eliminating the dead time associated with manual reconfiguration while maintaining full adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A flat glass sheet (2) having perimetric surfaces (5) (6) (7) and edges (9) to be ground delimited by the same perimetric surfaces is ground by feeding it edgeways along a grinding path (12) and through a sheet grinding station (20) wherein a row (21) (22) of grinding wheels is housed and an assembly (25) for machining edges, one of the rotary wheels (38) of which is mobile from and towards a raised position for grinding an edge (9) under the thrust of an electric actuator (35) controlled by a numeric-control block (36) of a unit (21) for steering the machine (1).