Tool grinding machine

Abstract

A multi-axis computer controlled machine tool for relief grinding of single and multiple start threaded hobs ( 46 ). The machine comprises an angular oriented spindle ( 65 ) that can be angularly (swivel) positioned thereby providing the flexibility to utilize both cup-shaped grinding wheels ( 55 ) and pencil-shaped grinding wheels ( 52 ) for grinding of hob and milling cutter relieved tooth geometry without exchanging grinding spindles assemblies or modifying the machine construction to accommodate two types of grinding methods or utilizing an additional machine axis for the spindle re-orientation.

1 . A machine for grinding rotary cutting tools, said machine comprising:
 a table,   a workpiece spindle for rotation of a workpiece about a workpiece axis;   a tool spindle for rotation of a tool about a tool axis,   a vertical assembly having a first side facing said workpiece spindle;   said tool spindle being located on said first side and being movable vertically along said first side of said vertical assembly, said tool spindle being capable of swiveling about a swivel axis extending generally perpendicular to said first side;   said tool spindle being oriented slanted with respect to said first slide at a predetermined slant angle.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said vertical assembly is located on said table and is movable in at least one of a longitudinal direction of said table and a width direction of said table. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said slant angle is 25 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said tool comprises a pencil-shaped grinding wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said tool comprises a cup-shaped grinding wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said tool spindle is located in a swivel assembly with a probe being positioned on said swivel assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1  further including an automatic tool changing device comprising multiple tool storing stations. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1  being operable to provide at least one of a radial cam motion and an offset radial cam motion of said tool relative to said workpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 8  being further operable to additionally impart an oscillating motion of said tool superimposed on said at least one of a radial cam motion and an offset radial cam motion. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said workpiece comprises a single start hob, a multiple start hob or a milling cutter. 
     
     
         11 . A method of grinding rotary cutting tools with a grinding wheel on a grinding machine, said method comprising:
 providing for rotation of said rotary cutting tool about a workpiece axis;   providing for rotation of said grinding wheel about a tool axis;   providing relative movement between said rotary cutting tool and said grinding wheel in up to three mutually perpendicular directions;   providing for swiveling of said grinding wheel about a swivel axis, said swivel axis being perpendicular to a vertically oriented first side of a vertical assembly on said grinding machine, said first side facing said rotary cutting tool, said grinding wheel being oriented slanted with respect to said first side at a predetermined slant angle;   bringing said grinding wheel and said rotary cutting tool into engagement with one another and moving said grinding wheel and said rotary cutting tool relative to one another to effect at least one of a radial cam motion and an offset radial cam motion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising oscillating said grinding wheel and superimposing the oscillating on said at least one of a radial cam motion and an offset radial cam motion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said slant angle is 25 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said grinding wheel comprises one of a pencil-shaped grinding wheel or a cup-shaped grinding wheel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said workpiece comprises a single start hob, a multiple start hob or a milling cutter.