Described is a method for grinding workpieces, which comprise at least one cylindrical and profiled portion each, on one and the same grinding machine. The workpiece is ground initially in a first grinding operation in a first clamping in the grinding machine, said first grinding operation being followed by a second grinding operation once the first clamping has been released and then, before the start of the second grinding operation, a second clamping has been generated.

A grinding machine for machining workpieces comprises a machine bed; a workpiece holder comprising a workpiece spindle; at least one grinding spindle comprising a grinding tool for machining; a set of steady rests spaced apart from each other along an axial longitudinal extension of the workpiece, wherein the steady rests are operable in an engagement state and a disengagement state, and wherein the steady rests of the set of steady rests are arranged to engage in the engagement state a workpiece for support, the workpiece being mounted on the workpiece holder; and a control device that is configured to selectively set the steady rests into the engagement state or the disengagement state in such a way that a change between the engagement state and the disengagement state takes place during the machining of the workpiece.

The present invention relates to an actuating device (10) for actuating jaws (12) of a steady rest (11), which jaws can be used for clamping or supporting a workpiece (13). The actuating device comprises a carrier (18) with a mounting side (20) to which the steady rest (11) can be mounted. An outer end (27b) of an actuating part (27) projects away from the mounting side (20) of the carrier (18) and comprises a connecting arrangement (29) as the interface for the connection with an input part (14) of the steady rest (11). An inner end (27c) of the actuating part (27) is movably coupled with a piston (35) of a pneumatic cylinder (36) via a coupling arrangement (34). The coupling arrangement 34 comprises a slide (40) that is immovably connected to the piston (35), said slide having on it at least one slotted gate (44). The slotted gate (44) defines a gate path oriented obliquely to longitudinal direction L and to height direction H, along which gate path the at least one gate element (46) can be guided in a movable manner. The gate element is connected to the inner end (27c) of the actuating part (27).

Systems and methods of providing run-time quality control and monitoring of a single or multiple sequencing runs are provided herein. In some embodiments, the run-time system includes or is in communication with a processor capable of determining various types of run-time information relating to the quality, progress, etc. of various sequencing runs. In some embodiments, the system can also be in communication with a user interface, for example, a GUI, capable of representing and communicating various types of information to a user regarding the quality of the individual or multiple runs, the functioning of the instrument, an error event, etc. Additionally, the system can capable of receiving actionable information from a user via the GUI thereby allowing the user to terminate or repeat various sequencing steps in a particular run, terminate a entire run, terminate all runs, allow a run to proceed, etc.

Systems and methods of providing run-time quality control and monitoring of a single or multiple sequencing runs are provided herein. In some embodiments, the run-time system includes or is in communication with a processor capable of determining various types of run-time information relating to the quality, progress, etc. of various sequencing runs. In some embodiments, the system can also be in communication with a user interface, for example, a GUI, capable of representing and communicating various types of information to a user regarding the quality of the individual or multiple runs, the functioning of the instrument, an error event, etc. Additionally, the system can capable of receiving actionable information from a user via the GUI thereby allowing the user to terminate or repeat various sequencing steps in a particular run, terminate a entire run, terminate all runs, allow a run to proceed, etc.

A steady rest has working and right-hand cover plates and a central plate sandwiched therebetween. The working cover plate has upper and lower guide tracks that are received within cavities. The central plate is movably disposed between the working and right-hand cover plates. The central plate slidably engages upper and lower gripping arms that are movable relative to the working cover plate between a clamped position and a retracted position. Tapered rails are disposed in a rail recess of the working cover plate. The rails are movable relative to each other to finely and precisely adjust a position at which the workpiece is clamped and moved horizontally or vertically when the gripping arms are in the clamped position.

A steady rest for supporting a, particularly elongate, workpiece undergoing mechanical work and particularly machining, having: a steady rest main part that can be arranged in a device for machining a workpiece being machined, and at least one support arrangement which is disposed or designed on said steady rest main part and configured to support a workpiece being machined, and comprises at least one support element that supports a workpiece requiring support, wherein said at least one support arrangement is disposed or designed to be mounted on the steady rest main part such that it can move, relative to said steady rest main part, in at least one degree of freedom of movement which defines a path of movement.

A steady rest has working and right-hand cover plates and a central plate sandwiched there between. The working cover plate has upper and lower guide tracks and track engagement springs that are received within cavities. The central plate is movably disposed between the working and right-hand cover plates. The central plate slidably engages upper and lower gripping arms that are movable relative to the working cover plate between a clamped position and a retracted position. Tapered rails and rail engagement springs are disposed in a rail recess of the working cover plate. The rails are movable relative to each other to finely and precisely adjust a position at which the workpiece is clamped and moved horizontally or vertically when the gripping arms are in the clamped position. The track and rail engagement springs share common mechanical properties for ready interchange, thereby alleviating inventory concerns.

A supporting device for supporting an, in particular elongate, workpiece that is to be mechanically processed, in particular machined. The supporting device includes a main body that can be arranged in a device for mechanical machining of a workpiece that is to be mechanically machined, at least one support that is arranged or formed on the main body and is intended for supporting a workpiece that is to be mechanically machined. The support includes at least one support element that supports a workpiece that is to be supported. The at least one support is arranged or formed on the main body so as to be movable, relative to the main body, in at least one degree of freedom of movement that defines a movement path.