IN-PROCESS CONTROL OF SIZE OF A GROUND COMPONENT

SUMMARY In modern production, where an emphasis is placed on high productivity, the size accuracy in plunge-cut grinding depends upon the deflection of the machine system. The paper describes a technique for a quantitative assessment of this deflection on the basis of system rigidity, cutting ability of the wheel and other conditions. The rigid­ ity, however, is not a sole property of a machine but depends on the ground component and the work clamping arrangement. It can be assessed by static measurement, but this is laborious and impractical in industrial conditions. The rigidity can also be determined from a decay in power consumed by the wheel­ head motor during the sparking-out period. Measurement of power is, under industrial conditions, more convenient than measurement of force. After the rigidity has been established, measurement of power can be used to assess the system deflection and by controlling the machine infeed the correct size can be obtained. It is suggested that equ~pinga machine with a simple digital or analog evaluating system for adaptive con­ trol can significantly improve performance especially in cases when size accuracy con­ nected with machine deflection is the main constraint.