Continuous through-feed grinding machine for machining a workpiece surface and method

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a continuous through-feed grinding machine for machining a workpiece surface, said grinding machine having a grinding station with at least two rotating grinding tools, more specifically disc or roll grinders, with the grinding tools being continuously advanced along an endless path. The objective of providing a continuous through-feed grinding machine allowing for even machining of the workpiece surface with even wear of the grinding tools is accomplished by providing the endless path ( 128 ) with two work segments ( 140, 142 ) alternating with two transfer segments ( 144, 146 ) or by continuously advancing grinding tools that are moved along an endless path configured as an oval or elliptical shape.

1 . A continuous through-feed grinding machine for machining a workpiece surface, said grinding machine having a grinding station with at least two rotating grinding tools, more specifically disc or roll grinders, with the grinding tools being continuously advanced along an endless path, 
 characterized in that the endless path ( 28 ) comprises two work segments ( 40 ,  42 ) alternating with two transfer segments ( 44 ,  46 ).    
   
   
       2 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that the grinding tools ( 122 ,  222 ,  323 ,  422 ,  423 ) are moved linearly in the work segments ( 140 ,  142 ).    
   
   
       3 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that the work segments ( 140 ,  142 ) are disposed in the region of the expected workpiece surface and that the transfer segments ( 144 ,  146 ) are disposed outside of the expected workpiece surface.    
   
   
       4 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 3 , 
 characterized in that the work segment ( 140 ,  142 ) is inclined at an angle α of between 45° and 135°, preferably of 90° to the direction of transport of the workpieces ( 112 ,  312 ).    
   
   
       5 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that the grinding station ( 112 ,  312 ) includes a guide rail ( 130 ,  230 ,  330 ) that is configured to conform to the endless path ( 128 ) and along which the grinding tools ( 122 ,  222 ,  323 ,  422 ,  423 ) are guided by means of carriages ( 126 ,  326 ).    
   
   
       6 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 5 , 
 characterized in that the carriage ( 126 ,  326 ) is connected through a tie rod ( 132 ) to an endless, positively driven chain ( 12 ) and is pulled by said chain.    
   
   
       7 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 5 , 
 characterized in that a gear rim ( 136 ) is mounted to the guide rail ( 130 ), preferably on the inner side thereof, said gear rim cooperating with a gear wheel ( 13 ) mounted to the grinding tool ( 122 ) so that the grinding tool ( 122 ) rotates about its vertical axis ( 125 ) as long as the carriage ( 122 ) is moving forward.    
   
   
       8 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that a roll grinder ( 323 ,  423 ) and/or a disc grinder ( 422 ) disposed across the infeed direction and/or disposed in the infeed direction and/or disposed at an angle of 45° to the infeed direction form a group of grinding tools, two to twelve groups of grinding tools being disposed on one grinding station ( 314 ).    
   
   
       9 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that each grinding tool ( 222 ,  323 ) is rotated by its own electric motor ( 248 ,  348 ).    
   
   
       10 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in that the grinding station ( 114 ,  214 ,  314 ) is height-adjustable.    
   
   
       11 . A continuous through-feed grinding machine for machining a workpiece surface, said grinding machine having a grinding station with at least two rotating grinding tools, more specifically disc or roll grinders, with the grinding tools being continuously advanced along an endless path, 
 characterized in that the endless path ( 28 ) is configured as an oval or elliptical shape.    
   
   
       12 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that segments of the endless path having a large radius or rectilinear segments are disposed in the region of the expected workpiece surface and that segments of the endless path having a small radius are disposed outside of the expected workpiece surface.    
   
   
       13 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that the grinding station ( 112 ,  312 ) includes a guide rail ( 130 ,  230 ,  330 ) that is configured to conform to the endless path ( 128 ) and along which the grinding tools ( 122 ,  222 ,  323 ,  422 ,  423 ) are guided by means of carriages ( 126 ,  326 ).    
   
   
       14 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 13 , 
 characterized in that the carriage ( 126 ,  326 ) is connected through a tie rod ( 132 ) to an endless, positively driven chain ( 12 ) and is pulled by said chain.    
   
   
       15 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that a gear rim ( 136 ) is mounted to the guide rail ( 130 ), preferably on the inner side thereof, said gear rim cooperating with a gear wheel ( 13 ) mounted to the grinding tool ( 122 ) so that the grinding tool ( 122 ) rotates about its vertical axis ( 125 ) as long as the carriage ( 122 ) is moving forward.    
   
   
       16 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that a roll grinder ( 323 ,  423 ) and/or a disc grinder ( 422 ) disposed across the infeed direction and/or disposed in the infeed direction and/or disposed at an angle of 45° to the infeed direction form a group of grinding tools, two to twelve groups of grinding tools being disposed on one grinding station ( 314 ).    
   
   
       17 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that each grinding tool ( 222 ,  323 ) is rotated by its own electric motor ( 248 ,  348 ).    
   
   
       18 . The continuous through-feed grinding machine as set forth in  claim 11 , 
 characterized in that the grinding station ( 114 ,  214 ,  314 ) is height-adjustable.    
   
   
       19 . A method for machining a workpiece surface with a continuous through-feed grinding machine in accordance with any one of the afore mentioned claims, 
 characterized in that the rotation speed and/or the direction of rotation of one grinding tool or of a group of grinding tools is individually controlled.    
   
   
       20 . A method for machining a workpiece surface with a continuous through-feed grinding machine in accordance with any one of the afore mentioned claims, more specifically in accordance with  claim 19 , 
 characterized in that the speed of a revolving grinding tool is twice to eight times, preferably 4 times, the infeed speed of the workpiece.    
   
   
       21 . The method for machining a workpiece surface with a continuous through-feed grinding machine in accordance with any one of the afore mentioned claims, more specifically in accordance with  claim 19 , 
 characterized in that the grinding tools are driven in the work segment only.    
   
   
       22 . A method for machining a workpiece surface with a continuous through-feed grinding machine in accordance with any one of the afore mentioned claims, more specifically in accordance with  claim 19 , 
 characterized in that the workpiece is moved forward and back by means of a conveyor.