Grinding machine, particularly compact design centerless grinding machine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a grinding machine, comprising a machine bed, a grinding spindle, that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a grinding wheel, a regulator spindle that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a regulator wheel, a workpiece mount for receiving a to-be-machined workpiece between the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle, wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle are coupled with the machine bed and arranged in a fashion movable to one another, wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle form a spindle set, wherein a longitudinal guide is formed at the machine bed, wherein a base carriage is received at the longitudinal guide, wherein the machine bed and the base carriage define a first movement axis, wherein the grinding spindle is coupled with the base carriage and assigned to a second movement axis, wherein the regulator spindle is coupled with the base carriage and assigned to a third movement axis, and wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle are arranged to be moved with respect to one another, and to approach the workpiece mount in an in-feed movement.

Claims

1. A grinding machine, comprising: a machine bed, a grinding spindle that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a grinding wheel, a regulator spindle that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a regulator wheel, a workpiece mount for receiving a to-be-machined workpiece between the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle, a longitudinal guide formed at the machine bed, a base carriage movably received at the longitudinal guide, wherein the machine bed and the base carriage define a first movement axis, wherein the grinding spindle is coupled with the base carriage and assigned to a second movement axis, wherein the regulator spindle is coupled with the base carriage and assigned to a third movement axis, wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle are movably coupled with the machine bed, and wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle are arranged to be moved with respect to one another and to mutually approach the workpiece mount in a respective in-feed movement.

2. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grinding machine is arranged as a centerless grinding machine, and wherein the wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle form a spindle set of the centerless grinding machine, the spindle set comprising a first spindle and a second spindle, one of which being arranged as the grinding spindle and the other one being arranged as the regulator spindle.

3. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first spindle of the spindle set is coupled with the base carriage via a primary guide unit that defines the second movement axis, and wherein the second spindle of the spindle set is coupled with the base carriage via a secondary guide unit that defines the third movement axis.

4. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the primary guide unit and the secondary guide unit is arranged as one of a swivel guide and a linear guide.

5. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the primary guide unit is directly arranged at the base carriage, and wherein the secondary guide unit is directly arranged at one of the base carriage and the primary guide unit.

6. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein a movement of the primary guide unit relative to the base carriage causes a corresponding movement of the secondary guide unit relative to the base carriage.

7. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the primary guide unit and the secondary guide unit are movable relative to the base carriage in a fashion independent of one another.

8. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transverse guide which is formed at the base carriage, a primary carriage and a secondary carriage, wherein each of the primary carriage and the secondary carriage is received at the transverse guide, wherein a first spindle of the spindle set is assigned to the primary carriage, and wherein a second spindle of the spindle set is assigned to the secondary carriage.

9. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle is arranged at the base carriage in a pivotable fashion, and wherein the at least one spindle is further arranged to approach the workpiece mount in an in-feed movement through a swiveling movement about a pivot axis.

10. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first spindle of the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle is arranged at the base carriage in a pivotable fashion, wherein the first spindle is further arranged to approach the workpiece mount in an in-feed movement through a swiveling movement about a pivot axis, and wherein a second spindle of the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle is arranged at a transverse guide in a fashion displaceable along the transverse guide, wherein the second spindle is further arranged to approach the workpiece mount in an in-feed movement.

11. The grinding machine as claimed claim 1, wherein at least one of the base carriage, the primary guide unit and the secondary guide unit comprises an integrated displacement drive.

12. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one integrated displacement drive comprises a threaded spindle.

13. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one integrated displacement drive is arranged as a direct drive.

14. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the direct drive is arranged as a linear motor, and wherein a plurality of linear armatures is provided that are coupled with the same stator.

15. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the workpiece mount is fixedly attached to the machine bed.

16. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one dressing unit for receiving a dressing tool, wherein the at least one dressing unit is configured for machining at least one of the grinding wheel and the regulator wheel, and wherein the at least one dressing unit is fixedly attached to the machine bed.

17. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one dressing unit is arranged adjacent to the workpiece mount.

18. A compact design centerless grinding machine, comprising: a machine bed, a grinding spindle that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a grinding wheel, a regulator spindle that is arranged to be coupled with a spindle drive and for receiving a regulator wheel, a workpiece mount for receiving a to-be-machined workpiece between the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle, a single base carriage movably received at the machine bed and arranged for providing a common feed movement of the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle, a single longitudinal guide unit arranged between the machine bed and the base carriage, a single primary guide unit and a single secondary guide unit, and at least one dressing unit arranged for dressing at least one of the grinding wheel and the regulator wheel, wherein the primary guide unit and the secondary guide unit are received at the base carriage and comprise, at least sectionally, common guide elements, wherein the grinding spindle and the regulator spindle form a spindle set comprising a first spindle and a second spindle, wherein the primary guide unit is coupled with the first spindle of the spindle set for providing an in-feed movement thereof, wherein the secondary guide unit is coupled with the second spindle of the spindle set for providing an in-feed movement thereof, wherein the base carriage, the primary guide unit and the secondary guide unit are arranged to displace the first spindle and the second spindle with respect to the workpiece mount and with respect to the at least one dressing unit, wherein the grinding machine is arranged as a three-movement-axes grinding machine comprising a first movement axis, a second movement axis, and a third movement axis, wherein the machine bed and the base carriage define, along the longitudinal guide unit, the first movement axis, wherein the primary guide unit defines the second movement axis, and wherein the secondary guide unit defines the third movement axis.

19. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the workpiece mount is fixedly attached to the machine bed.

20. The grinding machine as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a first dressing unit for receiving a first dressing tool and a second dressing unit for receiving a second dressing tool, wherein the first dressing unit is configured for machining at least one of the grinding wheel and the regulator wheel, wherein the second dressing unit is configured for machining the other one of the grinding wheel and the regulator wheel, and wherein the first dressing unit and the second dressing unit are fixedly attached to the machine bed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and exemplary embodiments are disclosed in the description below with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic frontal view of a grinding machine, which is arranged as a centerless grinding machine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a greatly simplified schematic partial view of a centerless grinding machine in top view;

(4) FIG. 3 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of an embodiment of a centerless grinding machine comprising three movement axes in a first configuration;

(5) FIG. 4 is a greatly simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a grinding machine which is at least similar to the configuration of FIG. 3, along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a further greatly simplified schematic top view of the grinding machine of FIG. 3 in a state which deviates from the view of FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine in a first state;

(8) FIG. 7 is a further greatly simplified schematic view of the grinding machine of FIG. 6 in a further state;

(9) FIG. 8 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(10) FIG. 9 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(11) FIG. 10 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(12) FIG. 11 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(13) FIG. 12 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(14) FIG. 13 is a greatly simplified schematic top view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine;

(15) FIG. 14 is a greatly simplified lateral cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a centerless grinding machine; and

(16) FIG. 15 is a greatly simplified lateral cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a centerless grinding machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a grinding machine which is designated by 10. With reference to FIG. 1 and with further reference to FIG. 2 which shows a schematic, greatly simplified partial view of a grinding machine 10 in top view, a basic structure and basic components of the grinding machine 10 will be described in the following.

(18) The grinding machine 10 may be for instance arranged as a so-called centerless grinding machine 10. By way of example, the grinding machines which are illustrated by means of FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged as centerless external cylindrical grinding machines. The grinding machine 10 comprises a machine bed 12 which may be also referred to as frame. At the machine bed 12, saddle slideways 14, 16 may be received which enable displacement movements of components of the grinding machine 10.

(19) A coordinate system X-Y-Z may be inferred from FIGS. 1 and 2 which may be utilized to designate main directions and main axes, respectively, of the grinding machine 10. Regularly, an axis that for instance coincides with a longitudinal axis of a workpiece which is received at the grinding machine 10, or which is at least substantially parallel to this axis is regularly designated by Z. The axis Z is further oriented in substantially parallel fashion to at least one spindle axis of the grinding machine 10. An axis which may for instance serve as an in-feed axis is regularly designated by X. Generally, the axis X is oriented in a perpendicular fashion with respect to the axis Z. Generally, the axis X is referred to as working axis. An axis Y generally designates a height extension. The axis Y is typically arranged in perpendicular fashion to the axis X and in perpendicular fashion to the axis Z.

(20) The saddle slideways 14, 16 may be arranged as translational guides and may for instance enable in-feed movements along the X-axis. The saddle slideways 14, 16 may be however also arranged as cross table saddle slideways. Accordingly, the saddle slideways 14, 16 may enable, in addition to the movement along the X-axis, also a movement along the Z-axis. The Z-axis may be also referred to as feed axis. Movement directions which may be envisaged and which are enabled by the saddle slideway 14, 16 are indicated in FIG. 2 by arrows designated by 18, 20.

(21) The grinding machine 10 may further comprise a grinding headstock 24 and a regulating wheel headstock 26. At the grinding headstock 24, a grinding spindle 28 may be received in a rotatable fashion. At the regulating wheel headstock 26, a regulator spindle 30 may be received in a rotatable fashion. The grinding spindle 28 may be configured for carrying at least one grinding wheel 32. The regulator spindle 30 may be configured for carrying at least one regulating wheel 34. The grinding headstock 24 may be further provided with a grinding wheel drive 36, or at least coupled with a respective grinding wheel drive 36. The regulating wheel headstock 26 may be provided with a regulating wheel drive 38, or at least coupled with a regulating wheel drive 38. The saddle slideway 14 is assigned to the grinding headstock 24. The saddle slideway 16 is assigned to the regulating wheel headstock 26. The saddle slideways 14, 16 may be coupled with suitable drives to enable translational movements of the grinding headstock 24 and/or the regulating wheel headstock 26 in a X-Z plane, refer to the arrows designated by 18, 20 in FIG. 2.

(22) The grinding wheel drive 36 may comprise at least one motor, for instance an electromotor. The regulating wheel drive 38 may comprise at least one motor, for instance an electromotor. The grinding wheel drive 36 may be coupled with the grinding spindle 28 in a direct or mediate fashion. A mediate coupling may be for instance achieved by a gear, a clutch and similar elements. The regulating wheel drive 38 may be coupled to the regulator spindle 30 in a direct or mediate fashion. A mediate coupling may be achieved by a gear, a clutch or similar elements interposed therebetween.

(23) The grinding spindle 28 may comprise at least one bearing 40, optionally two bearing locations 40-1, 40-2 between which the grinding wheel 32 is arranged, refer to FIG. 2. The regulator spindle 30 may comprise at least one bearing 42, optionally a first bearing location 42-1 and a second bearing location 42-2. Between the bearing locations 42-1, 42-2, the at least one regulating wheel 34 may be arranged, refer also to FIG. 2.

(24) Between the grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30, a workpiece mount 46 is arranged which is received at a workpiece mount support 48. The workpiece mount 46 is configured for receiving and/or supporting a workpiece 50 which can be received between the grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30 for grinding machining. The workpiece mount 46 may be also referred to as support ruler.

(25) The grinding spindle 28 including the grinding wheel 42 which is attached thereto is rotatable and/or drivable in a rotary fashion about a longitudinal axis. The regulator spindle 30 including the regulating wheel 34 which is attached thereto is rotatable and/or drivable in a rotary fashion about a longitudinal axis. The grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30 may cooperate in such a way that the workpiece 50 which is received therebetween may be set in rotation about its longitudinal axis by the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34. In other words, the workpiece 50 may be driven by the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34 in a mediate fashion. As can be inferred from FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction, the longitudinal axes may be arranged in a common X-Z plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axes may be arranged with respect to one another in a parallel fashion. As already mentioned herein before, it may be also envisaged that at least the regulator spindle 30 and/or the longitudinal axis thereof may be at least slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the grinding spindle 28, and/or may be pivoted about the transverse axis. Such an inclination may cause a feed motion of the workpiece 50. This may be an option, for instance, for so-called through feed grinding operations. In this way, for instance a feed motion of the workpiece may be provided. It goes without saying that a feed motion of the workpiece 50 may be also achieved in a different way. Generally, the grinding machine 10 may be also configured for performing groove grinding or plunge grinding operations.

(26) Based on the view of FIG. 1, it is further apparent that the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34 may be basically drivable in a rotatory fashion in the same direction of rotation. Generally, a rotatory drive of the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34 is effected in such a way that different circumferential velocities may be present at the same. A resulting circumferential velocity difference may effect an entrainment of the workpiece 50 by the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34 which comprises slippage or spin. Basically, the workpiece 50 is set in rotation by the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34, the direction of rotation of which is opposite is to the direction of rotation of the grinding wheel 32 and of the regulating wheel 34. Based on the different levels of circumferential velocities of the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34, basically no ideal slippage-free or spin-free entrainment may be effected. Rather, between the workpiece 50 and the grinding wheel 32, a relative movement, for instance a sliding relative movement, may be effected. This relative movement basically causes the material removal at the workpiece 50.

(27) By appropriately controlling carriage drives (not separately shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of at least one of the grinding headstock 24 and the regulating wheel headstock 26, further an in-feed force and/or pressing-on force in the X-direction to the workpiece 50 may be defined and generated. In other words, the workpiece 50 may be clamped between the grinding wheel 32 and the regulating wheel 34, for instance clamped in a biased state.

(28) By way of example, the grinding machine 10 may further comprise a feed 44 for a coolant and lubricant cutting fluid (abbreviation: KSS-feed). Further, in an exemplary embodiment the grinding headstock 24 may be associated with a dressing device 66 for dressing the grinding wheel 32. The grinding machine 10 may be provided with a control device 52 by means of which an operator may operate and run the grinding machine 10. It goes without saying that the control device 52 may be also arranged for an automatic control of the grinding machine 10.

(29) In the following, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 15, different embodiments and concepts, respectively of grinding machines 10 which are arranged in accordance with at least some principles of the present disclosure will be elucidated. In exemplary embodiments, the grinding machines 10 are arranged as respective centerless grinding machines. In exemplary embodiments, the grinding machines 10 are further distinguish themselves by their considerably compact design, which benefits from the respective machine concept.

(30) Insofar as elements, components and/or sub-assemblies are designated by the same reference numerals in the context of this disclosure, is shall be understood that these items are of the same kindat least with respect to their concept. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that design modifications of the elements, components and/or modifications of the elements, components and/or sub-assemblies may be envisaged. However, generally this will be separately elucidated.

(31) According to the embodiments illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3 to 15, both the grinding wheel 32 and also the regulator wheel 34 may be mounted in a cantilever fashion. It goes without saying that basically also a configuration in accordance with FIG. 2 may be envisaged, wherein at least one of the grinding wheel 32 and regulator wheel 34 is arranged between two bearing locations 40, 42.

(32) With particular reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, a first embodiment of a grinding machine 10 is elucidated and described in more detail. FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 each show respective schematically greatly simplified top views of the grinding machine 10, wherein movable components of the grinding machine 10 in FIGS. 3 and 5 assume different relative positions. FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of the grinding machine 10 along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3. Also the illustration of FIG. 4 is greatly simplified and of a schematic kind. This means that FIG. 4 does not necessarily have to be an entirely correct cross-sectional representation of the embodiment of the grinding machine 10 elucidated in connection with FIGS. 3 and 5. Nevertheless, FIG. 4 elucidates a conceivable cross section through the grinding machine 10.

(33) In FIG. 5, further a coordinate system is shown for illustrative reasons, wherein an X-axis and a Z-axis are visible in the view plane of FIG. 5. A corresponding Y-axis (vertical axis) is basically arranged perpendicular to the view plane of FIG. 5, refer to FIG. 4. The X-axis may be for instance referred to as transverse axis and may designate a transverse direction. The Z-axis may be for instance referred to as longitudinal axis and may designate a longitudinal direction. Further, a so-called pivot axis is indicated in FIG. 5 by an arrow designated by C, wherein the pivot axis may be also referred to as C-axis. The C-axis indicates rotational movements and/or swiveling movements about the Z-axis. Similarly, rotational or swiveling movements about the X-axis may be referred to as A-axis and rotational or swiveling movements about the Y-axis may be referred to as B-axis, refer in this respect also to the coordinate system shown in FIG. 1. The coordinate system shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be transferred to any of the configurations in accordance with FIG. 3 and FIGS. 6 to 15.

(34) Again referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a basic structure of the configuration of the grinding machine 10 is described in more detail. Al already basically described herein before, the grinding machine 10 is provided with a grinding spindle stock 24 and a regulator spindle stock 26. The grinding spindle stock 24 supports a grinding spindle 28 to which a grinding wheel 32 may be attached. The regulator spindle stock 26 supports a regulator spindle 30 to which a regulator wheel 34 can be attached. The grinding wheel 32 and the regulator wheel 34 both may act on a to-be-machined workpiece 50 which is received at a workpiece mount 46.

(35) For acting on the workpiece 50 it is required that the grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30 may approach the workpiece 50 in an in-feed movement and/or may be displaced in a feed movement relative to the workpiece mount 46 in a controlled and defined fashion.

(36) For this purpose, the grinding machine 10 comprises a carriage arrangement, for instance a compound slide (cross slide) arrangement involving a plurality of carriages 54, 56, 58. At the machine bed 12 of the grinding machine 10, a base carriage 54 is received which, in turn, supports a primary carriage 56 and a secondary carriage 58 which are arranged thereon. The base carriage 54 cooperates with the machine bed 12 so as to define a first movement axis 60 in this way. The first movement axis 60 may be for instance arranged as a so-called longitudinal axis (Z-movement axis). Further, the base carriage 54 may cooperate with the primary carriage 56 so as to define a further movement axis. By way of example, this may be the third movement axis 64. The third movement axis 64 may be referred to as so-called transverse axis (X-movement axis). Finally, the base carriage 54 may cooperate for instance with the secondary carriage 58 so as to define a second movement axis 62. The second movement axis 62 may for instance refer to as transverse axis (X-movement axis). For further discriminative purposes, it may be envisaged to designate the second movement axis 62 as X1-axis and the third movement axis 64 as X2-axis.

(37) According to the embodiment elucidated with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, for instance the regulator spindle 30 is arranged at the primary carriage 56. Further, the grinding spindle 28 is arranged at the secondary carriage 58, for instance. It goes without saying that the assignment may also take place in reverse order. Insofar as primary elements, secondary elements as well as first, second, third elements and such like are mentioned within the scope of this disclosure, this shall be, above all, merely serve for discriminative purposes and generally shall not indicate a qualitative emphasis. The movement axes 60, 62, 64 are elucidated in FIG. 5 by respective block arrows. It goes without saying that, at least in some embodiments, the second movement axis 62 and the third movement axis 64 may be oriented in a fashion parallel to one another. Further, the first movement axis 60 may be, at least in some embodiments, oriented in a fashion perpendicular to the second movement axis 62 and/or the third movement axis 64.

(38) Between the machine bed 12 and the base carriage 54, a longitudinal guide or longitudinal guide unit 68 is formed which comprises at least one longitudinal guide element 70. The at least one longitudinal guide element 70 may be for instance arranged as a guide track or such like. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal guide element 70 may be fixedly attached to the machine bed 12. Accordingly, a mating contour may be provided at the primary carriage 56, for instance a slide or such like, so as to move the primary carriage 56 in the Z-direction along the guide element 70.

(39) For implementing the second movement axis 62 and/or the third movement axis 64, further a primary guide unit 72 and/or a secondary guide unit 74 may be arranged. The den guide units 72, 74 may be for instance arranged as a transverse guide unit 76. The transverse guide unit 76 may comprise at least one guide element 78 which is, for instance, arranged as a guide track which is fixedly attached to the base carriage 54. The primary guide unit 72 may be interposed between the base carriage 54 and the primary carriage 56. The secondary guide unit 74 may be interposed between the base carriage 54 and the secondary carriage 58. Accordingly, both the primary carriage 56 and also the secondary carriage 58 may comprise slide contours and/or slides so as to ensure a displacement movement of the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 in the X-direction relative to the base carriage 54.

(40) Accordingly, each of the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and also the secondary carriage 58 may be arranged in a movable fashion. For this purpose, the grinding machine 10 may comprise a first displacement drive 82, a second displacement drive 84 and a third displacement drive 86. In an exemplary embodiment, the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 are arranged as integrated displacement drives. This may for instance involve that respective motors 88, 90, 92 of the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 are fixedly assigned to a to-be-displaced carriage 54, 56, 58. In other words, in accordance with at least some embodiments it may be preferred that one or each of the motors 88, 90, 92 is received at the machine bed 12 in a fashion fixedly attached at the machine bed 12. In this way, effortful installations for force transmission may be avoided.

(41) The first displacement drive 82 is assigned to the base carriage 54 and provided with the first motor 88. The second displacement drive 84 is assigned to the primary carriage 56 and assigned with the second motor. The third displacement drive 86 is assigned to the secondary carriage 58 and provided with the third motor 92. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, at least one of the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 comprises a threaded spindle and/or a threaded spindle gear 94, 96, 98. By way of example, the first displacement drive 82 may be coupled with a first threaded spindle 94. This may involve a threaded spindle 94 which is fixedly attached to the machine bed 12. Accordingly, the first motor 88 of the first displacement drive 82 may for instance act on a spindle nut to set the spindle nut in rotations so as to displace the base carriage 54 in a controlled fashion in the Z-direction.

(42) In accordance with at least some embodiments it is preferred that the second displacement drive 84 and the third displacement drive 86 are coupled with a common threaded spindle 96. The threaded spindle 96 may be for instance fixedly attached to the base carriage 54. Accordingly, the second motor 90 may act on a nut so as to displace the primary carriage 56 in the X-direction. Similarly, the third motor 92 may act on a nut so as to displace the secondary carriage 58 in the X-direction. Even though the second displacement drive 84 and the third displacement drive 86 use the same second threaded spindle 96, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 may be moved with respect to one another. Since the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 at least sectionally share the same transverse guide unit 76 and at least sectionally the same threaded spindle or screw spindle 96, fundamental design simplifications may be achieved.

(43) Overall, both the grinding spindle 28 and also the regulator spindle 30 may be moved in a plane which is defined by the Z-axis and the X-axis. A movement in the Z-direction typically takes place for the grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30 in a synchronous fashion since both are received at the base carriage 54.

(44) In several embodiments of the present disclosure it is generally preferred that the grinding machine 10 does not comprise a B-axis for the grinding spindle 28 and/or the regulator spindle 30. A B-axis is regularly arranged as a pivot axis which enables swiveling movements about the Y-axis (refer also to FIG. 4). Such axes may be implemented only with relatively huge structural effort. This increases the installation space, on the one hand and the costs, on the other hand.

(45) According to the present disclosure, it is proposed to qualify the grinding machine 10 in other ways for machining non-cylindrical rotationally symmetric workpieces. This may be for instance the case when at least one of the grinding wheel 32 and the regulator wheel 34 may be adapted to the to-be-machined contour of the workpiece 50. This may be for instance effected by at least one dressing unit 102, 104. The dressing unit 102 may be assigned to the grinding spindle 28. The dressing unit 104 may be assigned to the regulator spindle 30. The dressing unit 102 is provided with a dressing tool 106 which is arranged to cooperate with the grinding wheel 32. The dressing unit 104 is provided with a dressing tool 108 which is arranged to cooperate with the regulator wheel 34.

(46) By way of example, the dressing unit 102 may comprise an integrated tool spindle and a respective drive for driving a dressing tool 106 which is for instance arranged in a disk-like fashion so as to machine the grinding wheel 32. By way of example, the dressing unit 104 may comprise a fixed dressing tool 108 which is for instance arranged in a fashion similar to a lathe tool (turning tool). It goes without saying that basically also modified embodiments of the dressing units 102, 104 may be envisaged. In an exemplary embodiment, the dressing units 102, 104 are coupled with the machine bed 12 in a fashion fixedly attached thereto. This may be achieved for instance via a support 112 (or support bracket), refer also to FIG. 4.

(47) The support 112 may be fixedly coupled the machine bed 12. The support 112 may be for instance arranged for supporting the workpiece mount 46 for receiving the workpiece 50, and for supporting at least one of the first dressing unit 102 or the second dressing unit 104. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the dressing units 102, 104 may be arranged adjacent to the workpiece mount 46. It goes without saying that also embodiments may be envisaged therein at least one of the dressing units 102, 104 is arranged at the machine bed 12 in a fashion considerably spaced away from the workpiece mount 46. Further, a cover is indicated in FIG. 4 in a schematic greatly simplified fashion which may involve fixedly mounted parts 114 and movable parts 116. The cover 114, 116 may be for instance arranged as telescopic (metal) sheets, bellows, and similar covers.

(48) A relative movement between the grinding wheel 32 and the first dressing unit 102 as well as between the regulator wheel 34 and the second dressing unit 104 may be effected by the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 of the grinding machine 10. Consequently, it is preferred that the dressing units 102, 104 do not comprise separate displacement drives. This may lead to further structural simplifications. In other words, the capability of the grinding spindle 28 and the regulator spindle 30 to be displaced in a plane defined by the axes Z and X may be also utilized to machine the grinding wheel 32 and/or the regulator wheel 34 in a defined fashion by cooperating with the dressing units 102, 104 so as to enable machining of non-cylindrical. This may for instance involve at least sectionally conical, stepped and/or spherical workpieces 50. Further, also machining of workpieces 50 may be envisaged that are provided with plunges, shoulders and/or similar design elements.

(49) FIG. 4 illustrates in a greatly simplified fashion by means of a cross-sectional view a layered arrangement of the grinding machine 10. As basically already described herein before, accordingly the base carriage 54 may be arranged at the machine bed 12 in a longitudinally movable fashion (refer to a first movement axis 60 indicated by a double arrow in FIG. 4). At the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 may be arranged as already indicated herein before. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 further shows that for instance the grinding spindle stock 24 may be arranged at the secondary carriage 58. The grinding spindle stock 24 supports the grinding spindle 28 including the grinding wheel 32. The grinding wheel 32 may be brought into engagement with the workpiece 50 which may be supported at the workpiece mount 46. The workpiece mount 46 may be jointly arranged with at least one dressing unit 102 at a fixed support 112 in a stationary fashion.

(50) FIG. 5 shows a grinding machine 10 which basically corresponds to the grinding machine 10 of FIG. 3. However, in FIG. 5, the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 are displaced in such a way that the grinding wheel 32 and the regulator wheel 34 may be brought into engagement with the dressing units 102, 104 assigned thereto. It goes without saying that such dressing procedures do not necessarily have to take place simultaneously for the grinding wheel 32 and the regulator wheel 34. Further, in FIG. 5 is indicated a conceivable stepped contour of the grinding wheel 32 by dashed lines. Accordingly, stepped sections, conical sections and/or curved sections may be generated at the grinding wheel 32 so as to represent a desired geometry of the to-be-machined workpiece 50. Also the regulator wheel 34 may be dressed in a similar fashion, even though it is not necessarily required for the regulator wheel 34 to reproduce the desired geometry of the workpiece 50 in an exact fashion. The dressing units 102, 104 may be used to produce these non-cylindrical and/or stepped rotationally symmetric contours.

(51) FIG. 5 further illustrates a conceivable access direction 118 in which the grinding machine 10 may be accessible for an operator. Generally, the grinding machine 10 comprises, at the side thereof which faces the access direction 118, at least one door, gate, hatch, hood or similar elements which enable a defined access.

(52) The primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 may, at least sectionally, engage one another so as to enable a further reduction of the required installation space. By way of example, FIG. 5 illustrates that the primary carriage 56 comprises a plurality of guide sections 122, for instance in total four guide sections 120, 122, two of which, respectively, are assigned to a guide element 78 and arranged at opposite ends of the primary carriage 56. Accordingly, between two guide sections 122 that are spaced away from one another, a recess 120 may be formed which reveals at least a section of the transverse guide unit 76 and/or a corresponding guide element 78. Accordingly, the secondary carriage 58 may comprise respective guide sections 124 which cooperate with the at least one guide element 78 in the area of the recess 120. In other words, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 may be arranged in an intertwined or interdigitated fashion.

(53) With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modified embodiment of a grinding machine 10 is elucidated. FIGS. 6 and 7 may basically relate to the same embodiment, wherein main components of the grinding machine 10, for instance a base carriage 54, a primary carriage 56 and/or a secondary carriage 58 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in different displacement positions.

(54) The configuration in accordance with FIGS. 6 and 7 basically deviates from the configuration in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 5 in that, on the one hand, the workpiece mount 46 is jointly arranged with the first dressing unit 102 and the second dressing unit 104 in a central portion at the machine bed 12. This further involves that at least at the base carriage 54, a clearance or recess 126 has to be provided to enable an access to the workpiece mount 46 and the dressing units 102, 104. The recess 126 may also extend through the primary carriage 56. Further, the configuration in accordance with FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the configuration in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 5 in that the recesses 120 in the area of the primary carriage 56 are arranged as closed recesses 120, i.e. form a closed profile at the primary carriage 56. This may further increase the stiffness and the guide accuracy.

(55) FIG. 8 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a grinding machine 10 which is basically largely similar to the configurations of FIGS. 3 to 7. The workpiece mount 46 and the dressing units 102, 104 are arranged and/or fixedly attached at the machine bed 12 in an end region thereof. In basically already described fashion, the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 are arranged at the machine bed 12, wherein the grinding spindle 28 is arranged at the secondary carriage 58 and wherein the regulator spindle 30 is arranged at the primary carriage 56. The primary carriage 56 is provided with a displacement drive 84. The secondary carriage 58 is provided with a displacement drive 86. The displacement drives 84, 86 share a common screw spindle or threaded spindle 96. At least some of the guide sections 124 of the secondary carriage 58 are arranged in recesses 120 which are formed at the primary carriage 56.

(56) FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a grinding machine 10 which is basically similar to the configuration in accordance with FIG. 8. The grinding machine 10 of FIG. 9, however, basically differs from the configuration of FIG. 8 in that the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 are not arranged in an intertwined fashion or engaging one another and/or engaging above one another, so as to cooperate with the transverse guide unit 76. In other words, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 are arranged at the transverse guide unit 76 in a fashion spaced away from one another. However, the displacement drives 84, 86 of the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 may share a common screw spindle or threaded spindle 76 so as to move the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58 independently from one another in the transverse direction (X-direction).

(57) FIG. 10 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a grinding machine 10. As already explained, the grinding machine 10 comprises a machine bed 12 at which a base carriage 54, a primary carriage 56 and a secondary carriage 58 are arranged. Further, a longitudinal guide unit 68 and a transverse guide unit 76 are provided, as already explained herein before. The configuration in accordance with FIG. 10 differs from the configuration in accordance with FIGS. 3 to 9 for instance in that the motors 88, 90, 92 of the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 which are coupled with the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and the secondary carriage 58, are, as such, not integrated in the to-be-moved component. In other words, for instance the motor 88 of the first displacement drive 82 is fixedly attached to the machine bed 12. The motor 90 of the second displacement drive 84 is fixedly attached to the base carriage 54. Similarly, the motor 92 of the third displacement drive 86 is fixedly attached to the base carriage 54. By way of example, each of the motors 88, 90, 92 may be coupled with screw spindles or threaded spindles 94, 96, 98 so as to move the base carriage 54, the primary carriage 56 and/or the secondary carriage 58 in the desired fashion. The embodiment illustrated with reference to FIG. 10 thus illustrates a variant of the grinding machine 10 wherein the second displacement drive 84 which cooperates with the primary carriage 56 and the third displacement drive 86 which cooperates with the secondary carriage 58 are respectively coupled with an own, distinct screw spindle 96, 98.

(58) A further exemplary embodiment of a grinding machine 10 is elucidated with reference to FIG. 11. The configuration of the grinding machine 10 in accordance with FIG. 11 is basically similar to the embodiments already described herein before. A modification is, however, present with respect to the detailed arrangement of the displacement drives 82, 84, and 86. At least one of the displacement drives 82, 84, 86 may be namely arranged as a so-called linear motor 130, 132, 134 and/or provided with such a linear motor 130, 132, 134. Generally, a linear motor is a gear-less motor which is arranged to directly generate a linear movement. In other words, a linear motor may be understood as unwinding of a (rotationally effective) electromotor. By way of example, the displacement drive 82 which is assigned to the base carriage 54 may comprise a first linear motor 130 which cooperates with a first stator 136. The stator 136 may basically extend in a fashion parallel to the longitudinal guide unit 68. In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, it may be also envisaged to combine the stator 136 and the longitudinal guide unit 68 with one another. As used herein, the movable components of the linear motors may be referred to as armatures which are movably arranged at a linear stator. In a rotary motor, the corresponding component is a rotor that cooperates with a stator.

(59) The second displacement drive 84 which is assigned to the primary carriage 56 may for instance comprise a second linear motor 132 which is covered with a stator 138. The third displacement drive 86 which is assigned to the secondary carriage 58 may for instance comprise a third linear motor 134 which is coupled with the second stator 138. As basically already described herein before, the second linear motor 132 and the third linear motor 134 may thus share the same stator 138. The second stator 138 may basically extend in a fashion parallel to the transverse guide unit 76. According to further alternative embodiments, the transverse guide unit 76 and the second stator 138 may be coupled with one another and/or integrated into one another.

(60) In accordance with the embodiments of the grinding machine 10 illustrated with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11, each of the three required movement axes 60, 62, 64 is arranged as a linear axes. However, it may be basically also envisaged to configure one or two of the movement axes 60, 62, 64 as a pivot axis, for instance as a so-called C-axis which enables a rotational movement or swiveling movement about the longitudinal axis or Z-axis. Hereinafter, embodiments of that kind will be elucidated with reference to FIG. 12 and to FIG. 13.

(61) FIG. 12 elucidates an embodiment of a grinding machine 10, wherein a base carriage 54 is provided as basically already described herein before which is movable in the longitudinal direction by means of a longitudinal guide unit 68. Further, a secondary carriage 58 for the grinding spindle 28, wherein the secondary carriage 58 is coupled with a transverse guide unit 76 so as to enable a (linear) movement in the transverse direction (X-direction). To this end, a displacement drive 86 is provided which comprises a motor 92 and which is coupled with a threaded spindle or screw spindle 96.

(62) However, for implementing a respective in-feed movement in the transverse direction or X-direction for the regulator spindle 30, the grinding machine 10 in accordance with FIG. 12 is provided with a displacement drive 84 which is arranged as a pivot drive. The displacement drive 84 comprises a swivel motor 152 which enables a swiveling movement about a pivot axis 148 which is basically oriented in a fashion parallel to the Z-axis, refer also to FIG. 5. The regulator spindle 30 is arranged at the pivot axis 148 in an eccentric fashion. Accordingly, a swiveling movement about the pivot axis 148 may effect a resulting in-feed movement which is indicated in FIG. 12 by a double arrow designated by 158. It goes without saying that the swiveling movement which is effected by the pivot drive, on the one hand, indeed comprises a linear component which is active in the transverse direction or X-direction. However, the swiveling movement shall be understood, however, as a combined movement which also comprises movement components which are differently oriented. However, via a respective machine control a desired in-feed movement may be implemented without further ado.

(63) A further alternative embodiment of a grinding machine 10 which is elucidated with reference to FIG. 13 deviates from the embodiments already described herein before primarily in that neither a (linearly movable) primary carriage 56 nor a (linearly movable) secondary carriage 58 is provided. The respective displacement drives 84, 86 are implemented as pivot drives at the grinding machine 10 in accordance with FIG. 13. The displacement drive 84 is basically arranged in accordance with the displacement drive 84 which already has been elucidated with reference to FIG. 12 and which is arranged as a pivot drive. Accordingly, the displacement drive 84 comprises a pivot axis 148 which is coupled with a swivel motor 152. Hence, the regulator spindle 30 may be pivoted about the pivot axis 148 so as to generate a resulting in-feed movement 158.

(64) Similarly, also the displacement drive 86 for the grinding spindle 28 may basically comprise a pivot axis 150 which is coupled with a swivel motor 154. The swivel motor 154 may be arranged to pivot the grinding spindle 28 about the pivot axis 150. In this connection, the grinding spindle 28 is, in an exemplary embodiment, arranged in an eccentric fashion with respect to the pivot axis 150. Accordingly, a swiveling of the grinding spindle about the pivot axis 150 effects a resulting in-feed movement of the grinding spindle which is elucidated in FIG. 13 by a double arrow designated by 160. It is further illustrated in FIG. 13, by way of example, that at least one of the dressing units 102, 104 may be arranged at the machine bed 12 in a fashion spaced away from the workpiece mount. It goes without saying that, in respect of the arrangement of the dressing units 102, 104, this embodiment may be also transferred to any of the afore-mentioned embodiments.

(65) FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate in a greatly simplified schematic form lateral cross-sections through different embodiments of grinding machines 10. For comparative purposes, reference is made to FIG. 4 in this connection. The cross-sections illustrated with reference to FIG. 14 and to FIG. 15 may be basically positioned in a similar fashion. Even though the cross-sections which are elucidated with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are not based on the grinding machines as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, at least for orientation purposes, reference is made to the section line IV-IV in FIG. 3 so as to illustrate a conceivable arrangement of the respective cross-section.

(66) FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the grinding machine 10, wherein the workpiece mount 46 and the at least one dressing unit 102, 104 are received at a support which is laterally arranged at the machine bed. Accordingly, a C-shaped support structure for the workpiece mount 46 and for the at least one dressing unit 102, 104 may result.

(67) According to FIG. 14, a modification of the grinding machine 10 may involve that the workpiece mount 46 and/or the at least one dressing unit 102, 104 are fixedly attached to the machine bed 12 at a central (mid) position thereof, and may comprises a support 112 which extends through a recess 126 which is formed at least in the base carriage 54 and, as the case may be, also in the primary carriage 56 and, as the case may be, even in the secondary carriage 58. Accordingly, the embodiment according to FIG. 14 may correspond to the top views as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, for instance.

(68) FIG. 15 illustrates a further modified embodiment of a grinding machine 10, wherein the support is arranged in a gantry (portal) fashion and fixedly attached to the machine bed 12. At the gantry support 112 the at least one workpiece mount 46 and/or at least one dressing unit 102, 104 may be arranged.

(69) It goes without saying that the embodiments and configurations described herein before shall be respectively construed as exemplary examples of the basic concept of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it further goes without saying that detailed aspects of one embodiment may be combined with detailed aspects of a further embodiment without further ado, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.