Methods and systems are described herein for surface treatment operations using an autonomous sander system (system). The system may include a drive system operatively coupled to a chassis, so that the drive system is able to propel the autonomous sander system across a workpiece. The system may include a processor coupled to the autonomous sander system and area-monitoring sensors so that the processor may direct the system to perform a sanding operation based on information gathered from the surrounding environment by the sensors. The system performs the sanding operation by obtaining a surface treatment command that includes a threshold condition; obtaining workpiece assessment data from the sensors based on the command; directing the system to execute the sanding operation; directing the drive system to propel the sander along a desired path; and terminating the operation if a threshold condition is met.

Provided is a grinding apparatus that can efficiently and accurately measure the position of a work surface of a workpiece without preliminary preparations. Included are: a work table (14) configured to hold a workpiece (W); a grinding wheel (10) configured to grind the workpiece (W) while rotating; and a detection sensor (20) configured to detect the position of a work surface of the workpiece (W) in contact with the work surface, and relative positions of the detection sensor (20) and the work table (14) are changed by a manual operation, and the detection sensor (20) is brought into contact with the workpiece (W) to measure the workpiece (W). Consequently, it is possible to omit preliminary preparations for measurement such as creation of an NC program, initial settings, and operation confirmation and perform a highly efficient measurement with a significantly reduced time for the preliminary preparations.

Provided is a grinding apparatus that can efficiently and accurately measure the position of a work surface of a workpiece without preliminary preparations. Included are: a work table (14) configured to hold a workpiece (W); a grinding wheel (10) configured to grind the workpiece (W) while rotating; and a detection sensor (20) configured to detect the position of a work surface of the workpiece (W) in contact with the work surface, and relative positions of the detection sensor (20) and the work table (14) are changed by a manual operation, and the detection sensor (20) is brought into contact with the workpiece (W) to measure the workpiece (W). Consequently, it is possible to omit preliminary preparations for measurement such as creation of an NC program, initial settings, and operation confirmation and perform a highly efficient measurement with a significantly reduced time for the preliminary preparations.

A machine tool is provided which comprises a machine base (10), a first support (20,100) mounted on a first rotational machine axis on the base, and a second support (22,102) mounted on a second rotational machine axis on the base. The second rotational axis is parallel to and spaced laterally from the first rotational axis and carries a mount (38,112) moveable relative to the second support along a first linear machine axis orthogonal to the second rotational axis. A control arrangement is operable to control the orientation of the first support on the first rotational axis, and the orientation of the mount relative to the second rotational axis and its location along the linear axis, so as to govern the position and orientation of the first support and the mount relative to each other. Existing machine tools often use long linear guide rails and stacked orthogonal axes which introduce alignment and offset errors. The present invention avoids the need for and/or reduces the number of these structures in machine tools.

A machine tool is provided which comprises a machine base (10), a first support (20,100) mounted on a first rotational machine axis on the base, and a second support (22,102) mounted on a second rotational machine axis on the base. The second rotational axis is parallel to and spaced laterally from the first rotational axis and carries a mount (38,112) moveable relative to the second support along a first linear machine axis orthogonal to the second rotational axis. A control arrangement is operable to control the orientation of the first support on the first rotational axis, and the orientation of the mount relative to the second rotational axis and its location along the linear axis, so as to govern the position and orientation of the first support and the mount relative to each other. Existing machine tools often use long linear guide rails and stacked orthogonal axes which introduce alignment and offset errors. The present invention avoids the need for and/or reduces the number of these structures in machine tools.

Precise surface treatment and finishing of an enclosed, non-linear channel through a 3-dimensional printed, additively manufactured or machined part or workpiece results from insertion of a grinding wheel on a flexible shaft and controlling an orbital movement though rotational speed, grit selection and fluid viscosity of a liquid medium in the channel. Drive logic rotates the flexible shaft for controlled rotation as the orbital movement or pattern achieves controlled contact with the interior channel surface. Rotational contact by the grinding wheel removes material based on a grit size, while the orbit is controlled through the rotation, viscosity and grit size for achieving uniform coverage of the interior surface. An internal geometry, typically circular or elliptical, is preserved while attaining a smooth surface through precise material removal resulting from the controlled orbit.

Provided is a grinding apparatus that can efficiently and accurately measure the position of a work surface of a workpiece without preliminary preparations. Included are: a work table (14) configured to hold a workpiece (W); a grinding wheel (10) configured to grind the workpiece (W) while rotating; and a detection sensor (20) configured to detect the position of a work surface of the workpiece (W) in contact with the work surface, and relative positions of the detection sensor (20) and the work table (14) are changed by a manual operation, and the detection sensor (20) is brought into contact with the workpiece (W) to measure the workpiece (W). Consequently, it is possible to omit preliminary preparations for measurement such as creation of an NC program, initial settings, and operation confirmation and perform a highly efficient measurement with a significantly reduced time for the preliminary preparations.

Provided is a grinding apparatus that can efficiently and accurately measure the position of a work surface of a workpiece without preliminary preparations. Included are: a work table (14) configured to hold a workpiece (W); a grinding wheel (10) configured to grind the workpiece (W) while rotating; and a detection sensor (20) configured to detect the position of a work surface of the workpiece (W) in contact with the work surface, and relative positions of the detection sensor (20) and the work table (14) are changed by a manual operation, and the detection sensor (20) is brought into contact with the workpiece (W) to measure the workpiece (W). Consequently, it is possible to omit preliminary preparations for measurement such as creation of an NC program, initial settings, and operation confirmation and perform a highly efficient measurement with a significantly reduced time for the preliminary preparations.

A grinding method includes a first grinding step of executing grinding feed of a rough grinding unit and grinding the workpiece to a predetermined thickness while supplying grinding water with a first grinding water amount that allows suppression of wear of grinding abrasive stones and a second grinding step of, after executing the first grinding step, promoting dressing of the grinding abrasive stones to prepare for processing of the next workpiece through executing grinding feed of the rough grinding unit and grinding the workpiece to the finished thickness while supplying the grinding water with a second grinding water amount that increases wear of the grinding abrasive stones and promotes self-sharpening through reduction relative to the first grinding water amount.

A grinding method includes a first grinding step of executing grinding feed of a rough grinding unit and grinding the workpiece to a predetermined thickness while supplying grinding water with a first grinding water amount that allows suppression of wear of grinding abrasive stones and a second grinding step of, after executing the first grinding step, promoting dressing of the grinding abrasive stones to prepare for processing of the next workpiece through executing grinding feed of the rough grinding unit and grinding the workpiece to the finished thickness while supplying the grinding water with a second grinding water amount that increases wear of the grinding abrasive stones and promotes self-sharpening through reduction relative to the first grinding water amount.