Grinding Wheel Topography Feedback for Stable Feed Rate Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding processes for aero parts face challenges in achieving stringent accuracy and process stability due to variations in grinding wheel topography, leading to increased scrap production and the need for sensitive process planning.

Innovation Solution

A method for optimizing feed rate scheduling using real-time wheel topography and power monitoring, incorporating physics-based models to calculate and adjust feed rates based on topographical metrics, such as C(h) and α(h), to ensure consistent and efficient grinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional grinding processes are used without real-time monitoring, then the process is simpler to operate, but manufacturing precision and process stability deteriorate due to wheel topography variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepart accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs real-time feedback through microscopy imaging of the grinding wheel topography and power monitoring during the grinding process. The measured topography parameters (C(h) and α(h)) and power consumption are fed back to dynamically adjust feed rate scheduling, resolving the contradiction by maintaining high precision through continuous monitoring and adaptation while managing complexity through automated control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the feed rate parameter dynamically based on real-time measurements of wheel topography and power consumption. By adjusting the feed rate scheduling parameter in response to measured conditions, the system maintains manufacturing precision while adapting to wheel wear and topography variations, effectively resolving the contradiction between precision and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If feed rate is increased to improve productivity, then throughput increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to wheel topography variations and excessive power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding throughputVSAvoidpart accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static feed rate scheduling to dynamic feed rate adjustment based on real-time wheel topography and power monitoring. The feed rate is continuously adapted to match current wheel conditions, allowing the system to maximize productivity when wheel conditions are favorable while maintaining precision when topography degradation occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time feedback from power monitoring and topography measurement enables the system to adjust feed rate dynamically. When power consumption indicates excessive loading or topography measurements show wheel degradation, the feed rate is reduced to maintain precision. When conditions are favorable, feed rate increases to maximize productivity, resolving the contradiction through continuous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If aggressive feed rates are used to reduce cycle time, then productivity improves, but reliability deteriorates due to increased scrap production from wheel topography variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidscrap rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time feedback from topography measurement and power monitoring to detect wheel condition degradation that would lead to scrap. By adjusting feed rate in response to these measurements, the system prevents defective parts from being produced while maintaining high productivity when wheel conditions are optimal, thus resolving the contradiction between cycle time and scrap rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary measurement of wheel topography before grinding operations and uses this information to pre-adjust feed rate scheduling. This preliminary action allows the system to optimize productivity for the current wheel condition while preventing the aggressive feed rates that would cause scrap, resolving the contradiction between cycle time and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If wheel topography is not monitored, then measurement equipment and process complexity are reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to compensate for wheel wear and variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through microscopy-based topography measurement of the grinding wheel surface. By measuring parameters C(h) and α(h) in real-time and using this information to adjust feed rate scheduling, the system maintains manufacturing precision while managing measurement complexity through automated image processing and control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical measurement methods with optical microscopy and image processing for wheel topography measurement. This substitution reduces measurement complexity by using non-contact optical methods and automated analysis, while enabling precise measurement of wheel topography to maintain manufacturing accuracy.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4219074B1In-situ grinding wheel topography, power monitoring, and feed/speed scheduling systems and methods
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 RTX CORP
  • EP4219074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219074B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4219074B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Feed rate scheduling methods include measuring a topography of a grinding wheel (110) of a machine tool (120), calculating a topography parameter using the topography, and calculating a feed rate scheduling parameter for a toolpath of the grinding wheel based on the topography parameter. The topography may be measured using microscopy. The topography parameter may include a plurality of parameters including a density of crystals at a given depth (C(h)) of the grinding wheel and/or an area fraction of crystals protruding at a given depth (α(h)) of the grinding wheel. The feed rate scheduling parameter may include a grinding wheel feed rate, a grinding wheel spin rate, and/or a grinding wheel cutting depth, among other parameters.