Process for monitoring the setting of the coolant nozzle of a grinding machine

Abstract

The present invention concerns a process for monitoring the correct setting of the coolant nozzle (9) of a grinding machine, in particular of a machine for grinding the tooth flanks of workpieces with premachined teeth. In an automatic test cycle after setting the machine, with the grinding wheel (2) at defined positions relative to the workpiece (3), the alterations in power consumption of the grinding spindle drive when switching on the coolant supply are measured, compared with the desired value ranges specified in the machine control system, and the machining process blocked in the event of measurements being below or above the desired value ranges. In a further embodiment of the invention, in the event of a deviation of a measured value from the desired value range, the setting of the coolant nozzle (9) is altered in a correction cycle following the test cycle by means of an automatic swivelling or displacement in at least one of the axes 10, P1, P2, and P3, such that the two measured values are brought to lie within the specified desired value range without the intervention of the setter or operator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is explained in detail by way of a preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the annexed drawings. The drawings depict:

FIG. 1 A diagrammatic representation of the arrangement of a coolant nozzle on a machine for the continuous generative grinding of a gear with pre-machined teeth,

FIG. 2 A diagrammatic representation of the liquid gap between a grinding worm and a gear, and

FIG. 3 A control system diagram for a machine for implementing the process according to the invention.

Claims

1. Process for monitoring the correct setting of the coolant nozzle of a grinding machine, which said grinding machine comprises a grinding spindle with a grinding tool driven by a grinding spindle drive, wherein after setting the grinding machine the power consumption of the grinding spindle drive is measured with and without the coolant supply switched on, and wherein by the comparison of the two measurements the setting of the coolant nozzle is assessed.

2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the grinding machine is a machine for grinding the tooth flanks of workpieces with premachined teeth.

3. Process according to claim 1, wherein the grinding tool is a grinding worm.

4. Process according to claim 1, wherein a measured value for the alteration in power consumption derived from the two measurements is compared with a specified desired value range, and wherein an intervention in the setting process of the grinding machine is prompted if the measured value lies outside the desired value range.

5. Process according to claim 1, wherein the power consumption of the grinding spindle drive with and without the coolant supply switched on is measured with the grinding tool at a first test position clear of the workpiece, and with the grinding tool at a second test position close to the workpiece surface, wherein the measured values of the alteration in the power consumption are in each case compared with specified desired value ranges, and wherein intervention in the setting process of the grinding machine is prompted if the measured values lie outside the desired value ranges.

6. Process according to claim 5, wherein in the first test position the grinding tool is driven at a first specified speed, and in the second test position at a second specified speed differing from the first specified speed.

7. Process according to claim 5, wherein for the measurement in the first test position the grinding tool is at a position in which the behaviour of the coolant stream directed onto the grinding tool is not influenced by the workpiece, work fixture or tailstock.

8. Process according to claim 5, wherein for the measurement in the second position the grinding tool is in the immediate vicinity of the workpiece, forming with the latter a gap of specified width.

9. Process according to claim 1, wherein the desired value ranges of the alteration in power consumption of the grinding spindle drive caused by the switch-on of the coolant supply are specified in a machine control system, and wherein the grinding machine performs the test process in an automatic test cycle.

10. Process according to claim 1, wherein in the event of a deviation of a measured value from the desired value range the machining process of the grinding machine is blocked.

11. Process according to claim 1, wherein the coolant nozzle is automatically displaceable in at least one spacial direction and/or automatically swivellable about at least one swivel axis, and wherein, in the event of a deviation of a measured value from the desired value range, the setting of the coolant nozzle is altered by a machine control system in a subsequent correction cycle by way of swivelling or displacement in at least one of the axes, such that the measured values are brought within the specified desired value range without the intervention of the setter or operator.