Tool Grinding Machine With Precise Inclination Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding machines are inefficient and laborious when grinding tools with cutting edges inclined at specific angles, as they rely on manual adjustment, which can be inaccurate and time-consuming, limiting their ability to adjust to different angles and resulting in uneven grinding.

Innovation Solution

A compact vertical grinding machine with an adjustable support unit that can be inclined to match the angle of the tool's cutting edge, using a rotating abrasive wheel and adjustment means such as a rod, allowing precise and quick adjustment of the support unit's angle, and a method to control the grinding process based on detected force to ensure optimal grinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual adjustment of the rotary table inclination is used, then the machine structure remains simple, but the adjustment precision and consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structureVSAvoidinclination adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated electro-mechanical system. A motor (22) drives a leadscrew (24) that converts rotational motion into precise linear movement of the support unit (11), eliminating manual positioning errors. The system uses a lead screw mechanism with nut and ball bearing to achieve precise, repeatable inclination angles without requiring operator skill.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through a sensor system that detects the actual inclination angle and compares it with the target angle. The control unit (28) receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the motor position to achieve the desired precision, ensuring consistent grinding angles across different tools and operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of the rotary table inclination is used, then the machine operation remains simple, but the adjustment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit (28) stores pre-programmed inclination angles for different tool types. Before grinding begins, the operator simply selects the desired tool type, and the system automatically positions the support unit at the correct angle, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment process while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual adjustment operations with automated motor-driven positioning. The leadscrew mechanism (24) rapidly and accurately moves the support unit to the required inclination angle, reducing adjustment time from minutes to seconds while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.

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

3Productivity

If the support unit inclination is not precisely adjusted, then the adjustment process remains quick, but the grinding effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding speedVSAvoidcutting edge grinding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a motor-driven leadscrew mechanism with precision ball bearing (25) to achieve rapid, accurate positioning of the support unit. This automated system maintains consistent inclination angles throughout the grinding process, ensuring uniform material removal across the entire cutting edge while operating quickly and efficiently.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system continuously monitors the support unit inclination angle and provides feedback to the control unit (28). This closed-loop control ensures that the inclination remains precisely at the target value throughout the grinding operation, maintaining high manufacturing precision and effective cutting edge regeneration while preserving fast productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise and efficient grinding of tools with inclined cutting edges, allowing for quick adjustment of the support unit to any angle, ensuring uniform wear and extending the life of the abrasive means by maintaining consistent grinding force.

Implementation Method 1

the abrasive wheel is able to remove material in correspondence with the cutting edge of the tool to remove the worn portion and thus regenerate the cutting edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3615271B1Sharpening machine
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SALVAGNINI ITAL
  • EP3615271B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3615271B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3615271B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A grinding machine (10) for grinding tools (100; 100') comprises a support unit (11) configured to support a tool (100; 100') to be ground and provided with members suitable to incline it by certain angle (a) with respect to a horizontal reference plane (12); and an operating unit (13) that is mobile along a main axis of development (X) of the grinding machine (10) in order to move with respect to the support unit (11) and comprises abrasive means (14) intended to abrade at least a portion to be ground (101; 101a, 101b) of the tool (100; 100'). The grinding machine (10) comprises adjustment means (15) to adjust the inclination of the support unit (1 1) with respect to the reference plane (12). The adjustment means (15) are mobile parallel to the main axis of development (X) to move to a predetermined distance (D) from the reference plane (12).