Patent ID: 6038489
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of controlling a grinding machine so that a grinding wheel thereof removes material from a rotating workpiece so as to form the latter into a desired shape which is circularly asymmetric, the method comprising the steps of:(a) generating a control signal which is derived from data of both theoretical positions and theoretical positional velocities of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece, and which causes the grinding wheel to move relative to the workpiece in directions lateral to the axis of rotation of the latter;(b) moving the grinding wheel along a path relative to the workpiece in accordance with said control signal, so as to follow the desired contour of the workpiece;(c) in the course of a plurality of revolutions of the workpiece, measuring the respective positions of the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece when the workpiece is in each of a succession of angular positions;(d) comparing said measured positions with corresponding theoretical positions and storing data indicative of any differences between the measured and theoretical positions; and(e) modifying the control signal during a subsequent revolution of the workpiece so as to compensate for said differences and thereby reduce the magnitude of any error which would have resulted from said measured positions.