Spindle Unit Tool Carrier for Grinding Machine Dressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding machines lack an efficient and straightforward method for integrating and utilizing multiple dressing tools, which is essential for maintaining the dimensional accuracy and shape of grinding wheels, especially during the machining process of workpieces with varying geometries.

Innovation Solution

A spindle unit for grinding machines is designed with an NC-controlled tool carrier that can rotate and position multiple dressing tools around the workpiece spindle, allowing for easy integration and positioning of dressing tools without requiring additional drives or movement axes, enabling the spindle unit to serve as both a workpiece holder and a dressing tool carrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate dressing unit with additional drives and movement axes is used, then the capability to dress grinding wheels is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedressing capabilityVSAvoidadditional drives and movement axes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece spindle unit is designed to perform dual functions: holding and rotating the workpiece during grinding operations, and carrying positioning multiple dressing tools for grinding wheel dressing. The tool carrier mounted on the spindle can accommodate several dressing tools that can be positioned into the dressing position as needed, eliminating the requirement for a separate dedicated dressing unit with its own drives and movement axes.

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

2Productivity

If multiple dressing tools are integrated into the spindle unit, then the productivity and efficiency of the grinding process are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedressing efficiencyVSAvoidspindle unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle unit is segmented into functional components: the main spindle for workpiece holding, and a separate tool carrier assembly mounted on the spindle that can hold multiple dressing tools. The tool carrier is designed with multiple receptacles or pockets that can accommodate different dressing tools, allowing them to be positioned independently into the dressing position as needed without complicating the overall spindle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool carrier is designed to be rotatable or movable relative to the spindle axis, allowing different dressing tools to be dynamically positioned into the dressing position as required. This dynamic positioning capability enables the spindle unit to adapt to different dressing operations without requiring a fixed complex structure for each tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the spindle unit serves dual purposes as both workpiece holder and dressing tool carrier, then the ease of operation and space utilization are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning of dressing tools in the spindle unit is achieved through NC (numerical control) control systems rather than purely mechanical positioning mechanisms. The NC-controlled spindle unit can precisely position the tool carrier and individual dressing tools into the correct dressing position with high accuracy, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning devices while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3936281B1Spindle unit and grinding machine
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 FRITZ STUDER AG
  • EP3936281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3936281B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3936281B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a spindle unit (40) for receiving a workpiece (34) for a grinding machine (10), in particular a cylindrical grinding machine, comprising a spindle (44) which carries a workpiece holder (50, 150, 250) for receiving a workpiece (34), wherein the spindle (44) is configured to rotate the workpiece holder (50, 150, 250) about a longitudinal axis (46), and comprising a tool carrier (100, 200, 300) for dressing tools (112, 114, 128; 212, 214, 216; 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 340), which is arranged on the spindle (44) and is rotatable together with the workpiece holder (50, 150, 250), wherein the tool carrier (100, 200, 300) two or more receptacles (106) for dressing tools (112, 114, 128; 212, 214, 216; 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 340) for a machining tool (24) of the grinding machine (10).The disclosure further relates to a machine tool (10) with such a spindle unit (40) and to a method for dressing a machining tool (24) of a machine tool (10).