Patent ID: 7115019

Claim:
A method of grinding at least first and second axially separated grinding areas of a generally cylindrical, elongated workpiece on a grinding machine, wherein the workpiece is rotatably supported by a main spindle disposed on a bed of the grinding machine, and the grinding areas of the workpiece are ground by a grinding wheel supported on a movable body movably disposed on the bed, the method comprising; a first grinding step of grinding the first grinding area of the workpiece by the grinding wheel for a first period of time such that power consumed by the grinding machine is maintained at a first level; a second grinding step of grinding the second grinding area of the workpiece by the grinding wheel for a second period of time such that power consumed by the grinding machine is maintained at about the first level; and a positioning step of moving the grinding wheel, after completion of the first grinding step, and before the second grinding step to the second grinding area by moving the movable body for a second period of time such that the power consumed by the grinding machine is maintained at a second level higher than the first level, the second period of time being determined in accordance with the second level.