Modular Support Rail for Centerless Grinding

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of grinding technology. In particular, this invention relates to a modular support rail for centerless grinding.

BACKGROUND

Centerless grinding or topless cylindrical grinding is a form of outer cylindrical grinding, in which a workpiece is not tightly clamped but rather is positioned between a grinding disk, a control wheel, and a support strip or support rail. FIG. 1 shows the basic arrangement of the centerless grinding. A workpiece 1 is placed on a support rail 4 with a wedge-shaped cross-section, which is arranged between a control wheel 2 and a grinding disk 3. The support rail 4 in this case runs parallel to the axes between the grinding disk 3 and the control wheel 2. The workpiece 1 to be ground thus rests, on the one hand, on the wedge-shaped support rail 4 and, on the other hand, on the slowly-turning control wheel 2. The control wheel 2 has the object of pressing the workpiece 1 onto the fast-turning grinding disk 3 and simultaneously decelerating the workpiece 1, so that the workpiece 1 turns only approximately as fast as the control wheel 2. Thus, material on the workpiece 1 can be removed by the faster-turning grinding disk 3.

With regard to centerless grinding, a distinction is made between through-feed grinding and plunge grinding. Centerless through-feed grinding is used in the case of cylindrical workpieces without edges (i.e., no radial recesses or ridges), such as, for example, in the case of pins or rods. The latter are driven along the support rail 4 by the grinding gap formed between the grinding disk 3 and the control wheel 2.

However, centerless plunge grinding is used in the case of rotationally-symmetrical workpieces that in the axial direction have sections with different diameters (radii). Control wheel 2, grinding disk 3, and support rail 4 are in this case adapted to the geometry of the workpiece to be ground. In particular, support rails with insets are used that are adapted to the geometry of the workpieces to be ground. For different workpiece geometries, in general not only different insets, but also different support rails 4 are to be used. Usually, therefore, for each component geometry, a separate support rail together with insets is required. If the support rail is damaged in any way, it must either undergo expensive repairs or be replaced completely.

SUMMARY

It is the object of this invention to provide support rails for centerless grinding, in particular for centerless plunge grinding, which can be used in a flexible manner for workpieces of different geometries and, moreover, require little maintenance.

To achieve at least the above-mentioned object, according to a first aspect of the invention, a support rail for centerless grinding, in particular for centerless plunge grinding, is provided. The support rail is constructed modularly and has the following modular components: a base rail; and at least one top module, which can be detachably fastened to the base rail, with at least one support inset that is designed for seating a workpiece to be ground.

“At least one support inset” can mean a (single) support inset or multiple support insets (for example, multiple successive support insets), which is/are required for seating or supporting a (rotationally-symmetrical) workpiece in the axial direction. By using multiple support insets that are, for example in the longitudinal direction, successively arranged/fastened to the at least one top module, a cover can be flexibly produced that is optimally adapted to the geometry of the workpiece to be ground and has few support insets. It is thus unnecessary for each workpiece to be ground to produce a support inset adapted to the geometry (i.e., length and diameter) of the workpiece. Rather, a support inset (i.e., workpiece-specific) adapted to the geometry of the workpiece can be produced by combining multiple support insets (standard support insets).

The at least one workpiece-specific support inset can be detachably mounted on the at least one top module. For example, the at least one support inset can be detachably mounted on the at least one top module by means of a screw connection or another detachable connection (for example, latching connection, clip connection). This makes possible a quick change of the at least one support inset in case the support inset is damaged or if a new support inset or multiple new support insets is/are required in order to support, for example, another workpiece with a different geometry.

Optionally, the at least one workpiece-specific support inset can have in addition an annular stop. Regardless of whether an annular stop is provided or not, the at least one workpiece-specific support inset can be manufactured from a hard metal. This reduces wear and tear on the support inset.

The support rail can have a (single) top module, to which a support inset or multiple support insets are detachably fastened, as described above. As an alternative, the support rail can have at least two top modules. Each of the at least two top modules can in this case have a support inset, which is detachably fastened to the respective top module, as described above. As an alternative, a support inset can be detachably mounted on selected top modules of the at least two top modules.

The base rail is designed and sized physically in such a way that at least one top module can be detachably fastened to it. In particular, the base rail can be sized in the longitudinal direction in such a way that at least two top modules arranged behind one another in the longitudinal direction can be detachably mounted on it. Thus, an especially high degree of flexibility is achieved, since multiple top modules with different support insets can be mounted on the base rail, by which any support rail adapted to the geometry of the workpiece can be constructed modularly.

The base rail can also be designed for installation in a centerless grinder. To this end, the base rail can have elements on its horizontal rail bottom or on its front end sides that are opposite and oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, such as, for example, guide elements and/or clamping elements, which make it possible to position and/or clamp the base rail in a centerless grinder.

According to a variant, the at least one top module can be mounted on a lateral rail side of the base rail, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction. If at least two top modules are to be mounted, the top modules are mounted successively in the longitudinal direction on a lateral rail side.

The at least one top module can be fastened directly or indirectly to the one lateral rail side with the base rail. In the case of the direct fastening of the at least one top module, the at least one top module rests directly on the lateral rail side and is detachably connected to the base rail via a suitable connecting mechanism (for example, a screw connection). In the case of indirect mounting, an adapter device can be used. The at least one top module is fastened in this case to the adapter device. The adapter device is in turn detachably fastened to the guide rail (on the lateral rail side) (for example, using a screw connection).

The support rail can also comprise a guiding device. The guiding device is provided in order to guide the at least one top module relative to the base rail. According to one variant, the guiding device can comprise at least one guide rail arranged on the at least one top module. Also, the guiding device can have at least one guide groove that is arranged on the base rail or on the adapter device and interacts with the at least one guide rail. The at least one guide groove and the at least one guide rail can in each case run in the vertical direction of the support rail (i.e., essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support rail). In particular, on the lateral rail side, on which the at least one top module is to be fastened, or on the adapter device, multiple such guide grooves can be provided that are arranged some distance apart in the longitudinal direction of the base rail. The described guiding device facilitates the positioning and orientation of the at least one top module relative to the base rail.

The support rail can also comprise an adjusting device. The adjusting device can be designed to adjust the height of the at least one top module relative to the base rail. According to one variant, the adjusting device can comprise a stop element made on the base rail or on an adapter device. Also, the adjusting device can comprise an adjustable adjusting element interacting with the stop element and arranged on each top module. The adjusting element can be arranged on the bottom of each top module. By adjusting the adjusting element, the vertical distance can be set between the bottom of the top module and the stop element (and thus the difference in height between the top module and the stop element). In particular, as an adjusting element, an adjusting screw can be used. As a stop element, a stop plate can be used, which is arranged (directly) on the support rail or on the adapter device. The adjusting device makes it possible to quickly set and coordinate the heights of the top modules mounted on the base rail relative to one another and relative to the base rail.

Overall, the adjusting device and guiding device described here makes possible an exact positioning/presetting of the top module. Height differences produced by tolerances in the premanufacturing of the top modules and/or insets can be compensated for quickly and easily. In particular, the height equalization and the positioning of the modules can be performed before the installation in a centerless grinder.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a centerless grinder, in particular a centerless plunge grinder, is provided. The centerless grinder comprises: a grinding disk, a control wheel, as well as the support rail described here for supporting a workpiece to be ground between the grinding disk and control wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional details and advantages of the invention are further described based on the embodiments depicted in the figures. Here:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic depiction of an arrangement for centerless plunge grinding;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show components of a support rail for centerless plunge grinding according to this invention;

FIG. 3 shows another support rail for centerless plunge grinding according to this invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic depiction of a centerless grinder with the support rail according to FIGS. 2a and 2b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the basic principle of centerless grinding, in particular centerless plunge grinding, in which the workpiece 1 to be ground rests on a support rail 4 and is arranged between the control wheel 2 and grinding disk 3. The grinding principle in connection with the arrangement in FIG. 1 was already discussed in the “Background” section.

In connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b, a support rail 10 for centerless grinding, in particular for centerless plunge grinding, is now further described according to this invention.

The support rail 10 is constructed modularly and comprises a base rail 100 (depicted in FIG. 2a) as well as at least one top module 200 that is detachably connected to the base rail 100 with at least one support inset 300 (see FIG. 2b). Also, the support rail 10 comprises an adapter device 120 (see FIG. 2a), a guiding device 140 (see FIGS. 2a and 2b, which in each case show components 142, 144 of the guiding device 140), and an adjusting device 160 (see FIGS. 2a and 2b, which in each case show components 162, 164 of the adjusting device 160).

In connection with FIG. 2a, first the base rail 100 is further described. The base rail 100 is constructed in the shape of a block with a first block section 101 and a second block section 103. The second block section 103 is a horizontal block section, while the first block section 101 is a vertical block section, which projects essentially perpendicularly from the horizontal block section 103 to height H (see also the coordinate system in FIG. 2a, which indicates the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L). The two block sections 101, 103 can be designed as separate block sections, or, as shown in FIG. 2a, as a one-piece block. The two block sections 101, 103 can comprise steel or another material. Below, the terms “first block section” and “vertical block section” as well as the terms “second block section” and horizontal block section” are used interchangeably

The horizontal block section 103 can act as a foot. In particular, the horizontal block section 103 can serve as a mounting rail for the installation in a centerless grinder, in particular a centerless plunge grinder. For positioning the base rail 100 in the grinder, the horizontal block section 103 can have a guide groove 105 on its bottom. It is understood that this invention does not depend on the geometric details of the base rail 100. In particular, the horizontal block section 103 can vary in its shape and configuration, based on the requirements of the grinder, for which the support rail 10 is intended.

The vertical block section 101 has two lateral rail sides 106, 108, which extend in the longitudinal direction L and in the height direction H. The first rail side 106 is oriented essentially perpendicularly to the horizontal block section 103, while the second rail side 108 is inclined inward in the height direction H, by which the vertical block section has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile. The at least one top module 200 is fastened to the first rail side 106, as is described in greater detail below.

The vertical block section 101 can have multiple holes (with and without threading) for receiving fastening pins and/or fastening screws. These holes are provided for the detachable fastening of the at least one top module 200.

For detachable fastening of the at least one top module 200, the adapter device 120 is provided. The latter is made plate-shaped and is referred to below also as an adapter plate 120. On its front side, the adapter plate 120 has multiple guide grooves 144 running in the vertical direction (i.e., in the height direction H). The guide grooves 144 are arranged some distance apart in the longitudinal direction L of the adapter plate 120. The distance between two guide grooves 144 can be adapted essentially to the length of a top module 200 (standard top module 200). The guide grooves 144 are part of the above-mentioned guiding device 140, whose functionality is further described below.

A stop plate 162 is detachably fastened to the lower end of the adapter plate 160. The detachable fastening of the stop plate 162 to the adapter plate 160 is done via screws (and pins), as indicated in FIG. 2a. Other detachable fastenings are also conceivable. The stop plate 162 is part of the above-mentioned adjusting device 160, whose functionality is further described below in even more detail.

The adapter plate 120 together with the stop plate 162 is detachably fastened to the vertical block section 101 of the base rail 100. To this end, the adapter plate 120 (with the stop plate 162 mounted thereon) is placed with its back side (i.e., any plate side that is opposite to the front side with the guide grooves 144) on the first rail side 106 of the vertical block section 101. Then, the adapter plate 120 is detachably fastened to the base rail 100 using screws (and pins), by having screws (and pins) be inserted/screwed through corresponding holes/threaded holes into the adapter plate 120 and the vertical block section 101.

It is understood that the adapter plate 120, described here, with the guide grooves 144 as well as the stop plate 162 can also be omitted. Instead, the guide grooves 144 can also be made directly on the first rail side 106 of the vertical block section 101. Also, the horizontal top 107 of the horizontal block section 103 can act as a stop plate. The advantage of the modular design of the base rail 100, adapter plate 120, and stop plate 162 described here comprises that the base rail 100 can be combined with adapter plates 120 and top modules 200 configured in any way desired.

The base rail 100, adapter plate 120, and/or the stop plate 162 can be made of steel, cast iron, or another material.

In connection with FIG. 2b, a typical top module 200 as well as a support inset 300 that can be detachably fastened to the top module 200 are now described. The top module 200 comprises a first, lower block 212 as well as a second, upper block 214, which is detachably fastened to an upper end of the first block 212 (for example by a screw connection).

The second block 214 is provided in order to detachably receive a support inset 300 on its upper end (in FIG. 2b, on its upper front side 215). The support inset 300 can be detachably connected by pins and/or screws to the second block 214.

The support inset 300 is provided for seating a workpiece or workpiece section that is to be ground. For this purpose, it can comprise an annular stop 310. The annular stop 310 and/or the support inset 300 can comprise a hardened steel or another material with low wear and tear.

On the first block 212, guide rails 142 are fastened (for example by a screw connection) to the two opposite block sides (in FIG. 2b, the left and right block sides). The guide rails 142 are part of the guiding device 140, whose functionality is described in even greater detail below in connection with the mounting of the top module 200 on the base rail 100.

An adjusting screw 164 is provided on the lower front side 213 of the first block 212. It can be screwed into a threaded hole (not visible in FIG. 2b) that empties onto the lower front side 213 and runs vertically upward into the first block 212. Based on how deeply the adjusting screw 164 is screwed into the threaded hole, a variable difference in height h can be set between the screw head 166 and the lower front side 213. The adjusting screw 164 is part of the adjusting device 160, whose functionality is described in even more detail below in connection with the mounting of the top module 200 on the base rail 100.

The mounting (fastening) of the top module 200, described in connection with FIG. 2b, on the base rail 100 in FIG. 2a is as follows. The top module 200 is mounted on the adapter plate 120 (and thus on the base rail 100), by the two guide rails 142 of the top module 200 being inserted from above into corresponding guide grooves 144 of the adapter plate 120 and the top module 200 being pushed downward successively until the adjusting screw 164 with its screw head 166 comes into contact with the stop plate 162. By actuating the adjusting screw 164, the difference in height h can be set between the lower front side 213 of the top module 200 and the stop plate 162. Thus, the height of the top module 200 that is inserted into the adapter plate 120 can be adjusted or readjusted.

Also, the two guide rails 142 interact with the corresponding guide grooves 144 in such a way that the top module 200 is prevented from falling frontward out of the adapter plate 120. The guide grooves 144 thus secure the top module 200 on the adapter plate 120. Optionally, the top module 200 can additionally be fastened with screws to the adapter plate 120 or to the base rail 100.

The support rail 10 that is described in connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b is designed to be highly modular for seating or supporting a workpiece or workpiece section. Thus, individual expendable parts (such as, for example, the inset 300) can be quickly changed without the top module 200 having to be replaced. Also, multiple top modules 200 with support insets 300 can be mounted successively on the adapter plate 120. It is thus possible to mount and to combine multiple such top modules 200 with various insets 300 on the adapter plate 120, so that for each workpiece, a support rail corresponding to the geometry of the workpiece can be constructed from a few basic modules.

In connection with FIG. 3, another support rail 10a is described according to this invention. This support rail 10a in turn comprises a base rail 100, a top module 200a that can be fastened to the base rail 100, as well as multiple support insets 300a, 300b, 300c that can be fastened to the top module 200a.

The base rail 100 corresponds structurally and functionally to the base rail 100 described in connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b. Refer to the corresponding description above of the base rail 100 in connection with FIGS. 2a and 2b.

The top module 200a is distinguished from the top module 200 described in connection with FIG. 2b essentially in that it can receive multiple support insets 300a, 300b, 300c. Specifically, the top module 200a is sized in the longitudinal direction L in such a way that it was able to receive three successive support insets 300a, 300b, 300c on its upper front side in the longitudinal direction L. The three support insets 300a, 300b, 300c can be detachably connected by a screw connection to the top module 200a.

The three support insets 300a, 300b, 300c are constructed structurally similar to the support inset 300 in FIG. 2b. A difference may comprise that the three support insets can have different annular stops 310a, 310b, 310c.

Another difference between the support rail 10a and the support rail 10 of FIGS. 2a and 2b comprises that the top module 200a is oriented and fastened directly to the first lateral rail side 106 of the base rail 100. The detachable fastening can be carried out via a fastening frame 210a (pressing plate) and corresponding screws, which are screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the first block section 101 of the base rail.

The height adjustment of the top module 200a relative to the base rail 100 can be done via a spacer plate 220a and slots 205a arranged in the top module 200a. The slots 205a in this case run in the vertical direction (i.e., height direction H) on the top module 200a. The slots 205a are required in order to screw the top module 200a onto the base rail 100 with the screws and the fastening frame (pressing plate) 210a. The vertical slot shape makes it possible to adjust height using the spacer plate 220a. The spacer plate 220a can be ground for the required height.

In connection with FIG. 4, a grinder according to the invention is shown. This grinder comprises the control wheel 2, the grinding disk 3, as well as the support rails 10 arranged in-between. In FIG. 4, the support rail 10 is shown by way of example. It is understood that instead of the support rail 10, the support rail 10a can also be used.

The design according to the invention of a support rail for centerless grinding, in particular the modular design of the support rail, makes possible a quick replacement or change of worn-out rail components. It is thus no longer necessary to completely replace or rework the support rail, thereby saving material and reducing cost. The modular design also makes possible a flexible combination of multiple top modules with various support insets, so that tool-specific support rails can be quickly produced from a few standard modules. It is thus no longer necessary to manufacture an individual support rail for each workpiece separately. Also, the adjusting device and guiding device described here facilitates the assembly and the adjustment, in particular the height adjustment, of the support rail.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Modular Support Rail for Centerless Grinding

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