Grinding machine

Abstract

In a cylindrical grinding machine for grinding a rotating cylindrical workpiece with a rotating grinding wheel, a wheel spindle for supporting the grinding wheel is divided at its axial mid portion into first and second spindle components, and respective ends on the sides opposite to the axial mid portion of the first and second spindle components are rotatably supported by a pair of fluid bearings. Each of the first and second spindle components has at least at its portion supported by a corresponding one of the fluid bearings a diameter which is determined to secure a predetermined rigidity at a grinding point between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, based on a predetermined value obtained taking into consideration the power consumption by the fluid bearings or the quantity of energy consumption required from the beginning to the ending of a grinding operation. Thus, the grinding machine can be reduced in the energy consumed from the beginning to the ending of the grinding operation.

1 . A grinding machine for grinding with a grinding wheel a workpiece of a predetermined length which is carried to be rotatable together with a work spindle, the grinding machine comprising: 
 a wheel spindle for supporting the grinding wheel; and    fluid bearing means rotatably supporting the wheel spindle on both sides of the grinding wheel while securing a predetermined rigidity at a grinding point defined between the grinding wheel and the workpiece;    wherein the wheel spindle has a diameter determined based on a set value for the quantity of energy consumption, at least at portions thereof supported by the fluid bearing means.    
   
   
       2 . The grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel spindle has the diameter determined based on the set value for the quantity of energy consumption which value is determined based on a power consumption by the rotation of the grinding wheel.  
   
   
       3 . The grinding machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel spindle is divided at its axial mid portion into first and second spindle components, the grinding machine further comprising; 
 coupling means provided between the first and second spindle components for separating or coupling the first and second spindle components at an axial position where the grinding wheel is supported on the wheel spindle.    
   
   
       4 . A grinding machine for grinding with a grinding wheel a workpiece of a predetermined length which is carried to be rotatable together with a work spindle, the grinding machine comprising: 
 a wheel spindle for supporting the grinding wheel at an axial mid portion thereof and composed of first and second spindle components divided at the axial mid portion;    coupling means provided between the first and second spindle components for separating or coupling the first and second spindle components at an axial position where the grinding wheel is supported on the wheel spindle; and    a pair of fluid bearings for rotatably supporting respective ends, on the sides opposite to the axial mid portion, of the first and second spindle components while securing a predetermined rigidity at a grinding point defined between the grinding wheel and the workpiece;    wherein each of the first and second spindle components has a diameter determined based on a set value for the quantity of energy consumption, at least at a portion thereof supported by a corresponding one of the fluid bearings.    
   
   
       5 . The grinding machine as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the diameter of the first and second spindle components is determined based on the set value for the quantity of energy consumption which value is determined based on a power consumption by the rotation of the first and second spindle components.