Methods and machine tools for grinding discs. The machine tool comprises two grinding units with respective grinding spindles on which grinding wheels are arranged and a disc unit that comprises a disc spindle on which the disc to be grinded is arranged. The rotation axes of the grinding spindles are perpendicular to the disc spindle rotation axis. The grinding wheels comprise respective grinding surfaces which are perpendicular to the rotation axis of the disc spindle. The grinding surfaces have a width that is equal or greater than the width of the main surfaces of the disc. The two grinding units are configured to simultaneously move relative to the disc unit in an axis that is parallel to the rotation axis of the disc spindle and in opposite directions such that, in use, the grinding surfaces simultaneously contact opposite surfaces of the disc to grind them down.

A machine tool includes a workpiece spindle unit (15) including a workpiece spindle (17) and a workpiece spindle motor (20) and includes a tool spindle unit (25) including a tool spindle (27) and a tool spindle motor. The machine tool further includes a first-axis movement mechanism (6) and a second-axis movement mechanism (9) relatively moving, in a plane including an axis of the workpiece spindle (17) and an axis of the tool spindle (27), the workpiece spindle unit (15) and the tool spindle unit (25) in a first axis direction and a second axis direction intersecting the first axis direction, respectively, and further includes a controller. The tool spindle unit (25) is arranged such that the axis of the tool spindle (27) intersects the axis of the workpiece spindle (17). The controller relatively moves the workpiece spindle unit (15) and the tool spindle unit (25) along the axis of the tool spindle (27) through combined operation of the first-axis movement mechanism (6) and second-axis movement mechanism (9), thereby grinding a workpiece (W) with a cup grindstone (T).

A machine tool includes a workpiece spindle unit (15) including a workpiece spindle (17) and a workpiece spindle motor (20) and includes a tool spindle unit (25) including a tool spindle (27) and a tool spindle motor. The machine tool further includes a first-axis movement mechanism (6) and a second-axis movement mechanism (9) relatively moving, in a plane including an axis of the workpiece spindle (17) and an axis of the tool spindle (27), the workpiece spindle unit (15) and the tool spindle unit (25) in a first axis direction and a second axis direction intersecting the first axis direction, respectively, and further includes a controller. The tool spindle unit (25) is arranged such that the axis of the tool spindle (27) intersects the axis of the workpiece spindle (17). The controller relatively moves the workpiece spindle unit (15) and the tool spindle unit (25) along the axis of the tool spindle (27) through combined operation of the first-axis movement mechanism (6) and second-axis movement mechanism (9), thereby grinding a workpiece (W) with a cup grindstone (T).

A waterjet system in accordance with at least some embodiments includes a carriage, a motion assembly configured to move the carriage horizontally relative to a workpiece, and a cutting head carried by the carriage. The waterjet system can also include a kinematic chain through which the cutting head is operably connected to the carriage. The kinematic chain can include first, second, and third joints rotatably adjustable about different first, second, and third axes, respectively. The carriage and the first and second joints can be configured to move the cutting head along a path relative to the workpiece while the cutting head directs a jet toward the workpiece to form a product. The third joint can be configured to shift a kinematic singularity away from the path to reduce or eliminate delay and corresponding reduced cutting accuracy associated with approaching the kinematic singularity.

A waterjet system in accordance with at least some embodiments includes a carriage, a motion assembly configured to move the carriage horizontally relative to a workpiece, and a cutting head carried by the carriage. The waterjet system can also include a kinematic chain through which the cutting head is operably connected to the carriage. The kinematic chain can include first, second, and third joints rotatably adjustable about different first, second, and third axes, respectively. The carriage and the first and second joints can be configured to move the cutting head along a path relative to the workpiece while the cutting head directs a jet toward the workpiece to form a product. The third joint can be configured to shift a kinematic singularity away from the path to reduce or eliminate delay and corresponding reduced cutting accuracy associated with approaching the kinematic singularity.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting edge of a cutting tool, such as a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, an abrasive assembly has a frame, a handle, and a cartridge that supports a plurality of abrasive members each having an associated abrasive surface. A rod affixes the abrasive assembly to a base assembly to facilitate movement of the abrasive assembly along the cutting edge of the tool responsive to engagement, by a user, of the user handle. Each abrasive member is configured to be moved, by the user, with respect to the handle to present each abrasive surface in turn. In some cases, the cartridge is rotatable about a cartridge axis that may be parallel or non-parallel to a central axis of the rod.

Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting edge of a cutting tool, such as a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, an abrasive assembly has a frame, a handle, and a cartridge that supports a plurality of abrasive members each having an associated abrasive surface. A rod affixes the abrasive assembly to a base assembly to facilitate movement of the abrasive assembly along the cutting edge of the tool responsive to engagement, by a user, of the user handle. Each abrasive member is configured to be moved, by the user, with respect to the handle to present each abrasive surface in turn. In some cases, the cartridge is rotatable about a cartridge axis that may be parallel or non-parallel to a central axis of the rod.

A grinding machine includes a main part and an end case. A driving unit is connected to the end case and includes a first motor which has an output shaft with a groove. A grinding unit is connected to the end case, and cantilevered above the main part. The grinding unit includes a grinding wheel set which has a central axle with a slide. The slide is located in the groove of the output shaft of the first motor. A driving wheel is connected to the central axle. An adjustment device includes a second motor which drives an eccentric unit that has an eccentric axle, and the eccentric axle extends through a bearing which is located in a recess formed to the driving wheel. The driving wheel is driven by the eccentric unit to move the grinding wheel set of the grinding unit left and right.

A surface preparation support apparatus includes a creeper and a linear actuator. The linear actuator includes a base-end and a tool-end that is opposite the base-end. The base-end is coupled to the creeper. The tool-end is linearly movable relative to the base-end. A surface preparation tool is coupleable to the tool-end of the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus also includes an actuator-controller. The actuator-controller is coupled to the linear actuator. The actuator-controller is operable to selectively actuate the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus further includes a tool-controller. The tool-controller is configured to be coupled to the surface preparation tool. The tool-controller is operable to selectively energize the surface preparation tool.

A surface preparation support apparatus includes a creeper and a linear actuator. The linear actuator includes a base-end and a tool-end that is opposite the base-end. The base-end is coupled to the creeper. The tool-end is linearly movable relative to the base-end. A surface preparation tool is coupleable to the tool-end of the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus also includes an actuator-controller. The actuator-controller is coupled to the linear actuator. The actuator-controller is operable to selectively actuate the linear actuator. The surface preparation support apparatus further includes a tool-controller. The tool-controller is configured to be coupled to the surface preparation tool. The tool-controller is operable to selectively energize the surface preparation tool.