Tool Post Grinder -Project On Lathe Machine Attachment

TOOL POST GRINDER

SYNOPSIS

Everyone knows a tool post grinder is one mighty handy item to have as an addition to a lathe, how ever, if you ever priced one, you know they run in to some serious mounts of money. So, with this in mind, I set off to build my own. Pictured below is the outcome of that project. I have to say the tool post grinder works extremely well. By varying the pulley sizes I can get a high end speed of over 10,000 rpm if needed. The only change I would make is to have a totally enclosed motor to keep out the grit.

INTRODUCTION

Our project is design and fabrication of Multi Use Tool Post Grinder. It is used to grind the machining surfaces to super Finish and accuracy. It can be used as an internal and external Grinder by fixing the attachment on the Carriage of a centre Lathe. The principle parts of this attachment are main body, Spindle shaft, bearings, rope pulley and grinding wheel etc

NEED FOR ATTACHMENT

Generally some components in engineering field require high surface finish and accuracy. For example a cylindrical part requires high finish inside the bore or outside the body, it requires cylindrical grinding machine and centre less grind machine. The above machinery cost will be more, and also unless we have lot of similar jobs, we equity keep these costly machines idle. To avoid this heavy investment and also to fill our requirement in grinding of such above jobs, we can manufacture this attachment. As the cost of this attachment is less, we can keep this idle when we don’t have enough jobs. There won’t be any loss for us, due to this attachment.

Check Also : 7 Centre Lathe Machine Attachment that enhance Lathe Applications

WORKING PRINCIPLE

This attachment is used on centre lathes. This whole arrangement is fixed on the carriage where the component rests. A grinding wheel is mounted on the spindle which is supported by two bearings, and is rotated by a motor through ‘V’ rope in high revolution.

While we are introducing the rotating grind wheel inside the bore of a job which is also rotating on the chuck, Material will be removed according to the cut which we select. The operation is similar to grinding operation. In turning, a single point tool removes the material, but in this process, a grinding wheel is used to super finish the jobs,

where high accuracy is necessary.

WORKING OF UNIT

This attachment is fixed on the lathe carriage, where the compound rest rests. The spindle of the attachment will be parallel to the lathe spindle. It is just like a boring bar on tool post. Where the motor is on, the spindle and the grinding wheel will be rotated, on the RPM of about. Job is held on the lathe chuck, for example, if we grind a bore of a body, the body will be rotating in lower RPM on lathe spindle, and the grinding wheel will be rotating on higher RPM. The rotation of the grinding wheel will be opposite to the job rotation.
Depth of cut may be given by cross slide, and the longitudinal movement will be given by automatic feed. Normally depth per cut will be 0.02 to 0.05 MM.

ADVANTAGES

1. The attachment is compact and rigid in size.

2. Maintenance is less.

3. It can be used on any lathe by small change in centre heights.

DISADVANTAGES

1. This attachment is not used for taper job to grind but it can grind by using extra taper thread turning attachment.

APPLICATIONS

1. Grinding inside the bore in any size of body can be done.

2. As the feed is given automatic, 0.8 micron finish may be achieved.

3. By changing the grades of grinding wheels it can be used to grind the carbon steel, Alloy steel and stainless steel etc.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Wherever grinding finish is required it can be used. For example, bore of industrial valves, outer diameter of spindle of varies machines.Related: Multipurpose Indexing Device -Lathe ,Milling, Drilling Attachment

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