Patent ID: 6149503
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A method of supporting a workpiece having crankpins and journal regions, in a grinding machine for grinding the crankpins while the workpiece rotates about a main axis thereof which passes through the journal regions, comprising the steps of:i) mounting the workpiece in a headstock of the grinding machine,ii) coupling the workpiece to a rotary drive mechanism for rotating the workpiece about its main axis, andiii) fitting a pair of members around a journal region of the crankshaft at a position remote from the headstock, the pair of members cooperating to form at least part of at least one journal bearing complementary to the journal region, andiv) supporting at least one of the pair of members, thereby in turn providing a remote support for the crankshaft at the said position remote from the headstock,v) wherein the remote support is provided by a plurality of said at least one journal bearing, each situated at and surrounding a respective journal region of the crankshaft.