Way of Saving Costs in Connection with Grinding and Means for That

Abstract

Ways of providing efficient and cost-saving grinding of floors or of other similar surfaces by a grinding machine having replaceable grinding tools are disclosed. On an operator's console of the grinding machine, a number of parameters according to which the grinding machine is desired to operate are selected. Obtained measured values are fed back from the grinding machine via a control center to the operator's console, the grinding speed of the tools being arranged, via the operator's console, to be adjusted manually or that the same is automatically adjusted. Information about the wear of the tools is given to the operator's console from measuring members for the measurement. Apparatus implementing the ways are also disclosed.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method of providing efficient and cost-saving grinding of surfaces by a grinding machine having replaceable grinding tools, comprising:
 on an operator's console of the grinding machine, selecting a number of parameters according to which the grinding machine is desired to operate;   in order to assist an operator in selecting correct necessary parameters and a grinding tool for a surface to be machined, indicating on the operator's console before running the grinding machine which grinding tool is to be utilized and a nature of the surface to be machined;   obtaining information from measuring members and sensors about wear of the replaceable grinding tools and/or remaining service life thereof and manually or automatically adjusting a grinding speed based on obtained information;   feeding obtained information back from the grinding machine via a control center to the operator's console; and   providing information about wear of the replaceable grinding tools to the operator's console from the measuring members.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein selecting parameters on the operator's console includes selecting between manual running and automatic running of the grinding machine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein information about optimal grinding speed for the surface to be machined and selected grinding tool and about optimal advancement of the grinding machine is also provided on the operator's console. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein by measuring a power output of a motor of the grinding machine and comparing with wear from sensors therefor of the replaceable grinding tools, a correct grinding tool and a time remaining until replacement of the correct grinding tool are determined. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for implementing the method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 an operator's console having arranged thereon a series of pictures of grinding tools that can be used, surfaces to ground, and hardnesses of the grinding tools;   a control center on the grinding machine configured to receive measured values and adjustable values for grinding the surface to be machined; and   measuring members configured to measure wear and/or thickness of the replaceable grinding tools and to transmit measured information to the control center for forwarding to the operator's console.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of sensing devices measure a power output of a motor of the grinding machine, a speed of rotation of wheels of the grinding machine, and wear of the replaceable grinding tools, whereby a grinding speed, advancement of the grinding machine, conditions of the replaceable grinding tools, and remaining machining time are obtained. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the operator's console includes a scale that displays wear of the replaceable grinding tools and advancement speed of the grinding machine. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the measuring members include a laser sensor and/or an analog inductive gauge for thickness determination. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the operator's console is configured for selecting properties and/or operation of the replaceable grinding tools.