Design and Analysis of a Grinding Machine for Back Gouging of Outer Circumferential Weld

In order to improve the efficiency of back gouging of large thick wall vessels and the work condition, and to reduce labor intensity, this paper presents a large-power, compact-structure and easy-and-simple-handled grinding machine for back gouging of outer circumferential weld. This grinding machine consists of grinding head, manipulator and guide rail. Since a grinding electric spindle, in which a grinding spindle is directly connected to a motor, is used in grinding head, the structure of the drive system is greatly simplified. Firstly the grinding head can be controlled closer to weld for back gouging in a certain pose by the arm back, up down traverse of the arm, longitudinal and lateral movement of the manipulator. Secondly, radial force can be produced between grinding head and weld line by the arm telescopic and radial force can be kept constant by a flexible device. The manipulator is set up on the guide rail, so it can control the grinding head to accomplish back gouging of multiple welds. When the grinding head is set up on the different functional manipulator, it can accomplish back gouging of internal or outer circumferential-weld and straight-weld. As the power of grinding machine is large and the process of back gouging is high automation, the time of back gouging can be reduced by one fifth to one third and the efficiency of back gouging is significantly improved, and security and comfort of back gouging of weld can be increased as well.