A method for sharpening a skate blade, comprising: providing an automatic sharpening apparatus having a holder; placing a blade into the holder; a grinding-wheel driving motor, in operative engagement with a wheel on a spindle, rotating grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) via a belt, the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) being disposed side by side on a common spindle; a linear motor moving the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) from a first position to a second position in a vertical z-direction without moving the grinding-wheel driving motor relative to the automatic sharpening apparatus; a selected rotating grinding wheel (212a, 212b, 212c) engaging the skate blade; and the selected grinding wheel sharpening the skate blade, characterized in that the method further comprises: a grinding assembly motor moving the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in a horizontal x-direction along the apparatus towards the skate blade; and a precision member controlling the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the y-direction regardless of the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the z-direction and x-direction by using a guide and a sliding member that is slidable along the said guide, wherein the precision member is used to move the grinding wheels, the precision member pulls in or pushes out a fastener and a rod to move a whole assembly of a holder, a driving center and the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) so that the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) slide on a spindle relative to the motor until the selected grinding wheel is in a position, when the selected grinding wheel is in the position, the selected grinding wheel is lined up with the blade in order to sharpen the blade. providing an automatic sharpening apparatus having a holder; placing a blade into the holder; a grinding-wheel driving motor, in operative engagement with a wheel on a spindle, rotating grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) via a belt, the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) being disposed side by side on a common spindle; a linear motor moving the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) from a first position to a second position in a vertical z-direction without moving the grinding-wheel driving motor relative to the automatic sharpening apparatus; a selected rotating grinding wheel (212a, 212b, 212c) engaging the skate blade; and the selected grinding wheel sharpening the skate blade, characterized in that the method further comprises: a grinding assembly motor moving the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in a horizontal x-direction along the apparatus towards the skate blade; and a precision member controlling the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the y-direction regardless of the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the z-direction and x-direction by using a guide and a sliding member that is slidable along the said guide, wherein the precision member is used to move the grinding wheels, the precision member pulls in or pushes out a fastener and a rod to move a whole assembly of a holder, a driving center and the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) so that the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) slide on a spindle relative to the motor until the selected grinding wheel is in a position, when the selected grinding wheel is in the position, the selected grinding wheel is lined up with the blade in order to sharpen the blade. a grinding assembly motor moving the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in a horizontal x-direction along the apparatus towards the skate blade; and a precision member controlling the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the y-direction regardless of the position of the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) in the z-direction and x-direction by using a guide and a sliding member that is slidable along the said guide, wherein the precision member is used to move the grinding wheels, the precision member pulls in or pushes out a fastener and a rod to move a whole assembly of a holder, a driving center and the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) so that the grinding wheels (212a, 212b, 212c) slide on a spindle relative to the motor until the selected grinding wheel is in a position, when the selected grinding wheel is in the position, the selected grinding wheel is lined up with the blade in order to sharpen the blade.