Elements of a surface-grinding machine

The main elements of a typical surface-grinding machine are shown in Fig. 10.2. 

The base is a heavily ribbed box-section casting to ensure rigidity and complete freedom from vibration. The bottom of the base houses the hydraulic pump and fluid reservoir. At the rear of the base is a vertical dovetail slideway which guides the column. Two vee slideways on top of the base guide the saddle and are widely spaced to maintain accuracy and rigidity. 

The column, guided on a dovetail slide, carries the wheelhead at its top end and contains the motor and belt drive to the wheel spindle. The column and wheelhead are raised and lowered through a screw and nut from a handwheel on the front of the machine. A telescopic guard is fitted to prevent grinding dust coming between the slide surfaces. 

The wheelhead carries the wheel spindle, which is mounted in precision bearings. The complete grinding-wheel collet assembly is fitted on a taper on the end of the spindle. Drive to the spindle is by vee belt and pulley from the motor mounted in the bottom of the column. 

The saddle is fitted on top of the base in the two vee slideways and provides the cross-traverse movement The cross traverse can be applied automatically in continuous or incremental feed by hydraulic power or, alternatively, with a manually operated handwheel. The automatic cross movement is infinitely variable up to a maximum of 10 mm. The increment of cross movement is applied at each end of the table stroke, resulting in complete grinding of the workpiece surface in the manner shown schematic y in Fig. 10.3. The top surface carries a vee-and-flat slideway to guide the table at right angles to the saddle movement. 

The base is a heavily ribbed box-section casting to ensure rigidity and complete freedom from 

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