Machine control for grinding machine

Abstract

A grinding machine including a support pedestal that supports a drive motor that supports an abrasive wheel rotatably coupled to the drive motor; a motor drive operatively coupled to the drive motor; a safety controller operatively coupled with the drive motor and motor drive; an E-stop operatively coupled to the safety controller; a foot pedal switch operatively coupled to the safety controller; and a 480 volt alternating current 3 phase electrical power supply electrically coupled to the drive motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grinding machine comprising:
 a support pedestal supports a drive motor that supports an abrasive wheel rotatably coupled to the drive motor;   a motor drive operatively coupled to the drive motor;   a safety controller operatively coupled with the drive motor and motor drive;   an E-stop operatively coupled to the safety controller;   a foot pedal switch operatively coupled to the safety controller; and   a 480 volt alternating current 3 phase electrical power supply electrically coupled to the drive motor.   
     
     
         2 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor drive is equipped with a safe torque off feature. 
     
     
         3 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor drive is programmable and configured to maintain operation of the drive motor at a predetermined speed for a material removal. 
     
     
         4 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety controller is electronically coupled to the E-stop, a vacuum pressure/air flow sensor and the like. 
     
     
         5 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the safety controller is configured to prevent operation of the drive motor responsive to predetermined conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drive motor brake operatively coupled to the drive motor.   
     
     
         7 . The grinding machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said drive motor brake is configured as a dynamic brake. 
     
     
         8 . A grinding machine comprising:
 a support pedestal supports a drive motor that supports an abrasive wheel rotatably coupled to the drive motor;   an exhaust vacuum coupled to the support pedestal proximate the abrasive wheel, the exhaust vacuum including a vacuum/air flow sensor;   a motor drive operatively coupled to the drive motor;   a safety controller operatively coupled with the drive motor and motor drive;   an E-stop operatively coupled to the safety controller;   a foot pedal switch operatively coupled to the safety controller; and   a 480 volt alternating current 3 phase electrical power supply electrically coupled to the drive motor.   
     
     
         9 . The grinding machine according to  claim 8 , wherein said motor drive is equipped with a safe torque off feature. 
     
     
         10 . The grinding machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the safety controller is electronically coupled to the E-stop, the vacuum pressure/air flow sensor and the like. 
     
     
         11 . The grinding machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a drive motor brake operatively coupled to the drive motor.   
     
     
         12 . The grinding machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the safety controller is configured to detect electrical faults, short circuits, welded contacts and the like. 
     
     
         13 . The grinding machine according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a fault light on a panel, wherein the safety controller is configured to provide a signal to the fault light on the panel.   
     
     
         14 . A process for configuring a grinding machine for safety comprising:
 a support pedestal supports a drive motor that supports an abrasive wheel rotatably coupled to the drive motor;   coupling an exhaust vacuum to the support pedestal proximate the abrasive wheel, the exhaust vacuum including a vacuum/air flow sensor;   coupling a motor drive to the drive motor;   coupling a safety controller with the drive motor and motor drive;   coupling an E-stop to the safety controller;   coupling a foot pedal switch to the safety controller; and   supplying a 480 volt alternating current 3 phase electrical power supply to the drive motor.   
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein said motor drive is equipped with a safe torque off feature. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein said motor drive is programmable and configured to maintain operation of the drive motor at a predetermined speed for a material removal. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 electronically coupling the safety controller to the E-stop, a vacuum pressure/air flow sensor and the like.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 configuring the safety controller to prevent operation of the drive motor responsive to predetermined conditions.   
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a drive motor brake operatively coupled to the drive motor.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 equipping the motor drive with a safe torque off feature, wherein the safe torque off feature is configured for the drive motor to spin feely upon predetermined input.