Importance

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Abstract

A machine tool has a workpiece which is rotated by a motor. The tool is moved by a tool drive to machine a required surface profile on the workpiece and is also indexed on a carriage. The stepping signals for the workpiece motor are produced by a control system and, for each workpiece step, the control system also produces from a data store, a signal which moves the tool to the required tool position for machining the workpiece profile at the angular position corresponding to the stepped position of the workpiece motor. After each revolution of the workpiece motor, the carriage is indexed. Thus, the control system also controls the rotation of the workpiece and so no feedback of the workpiece position is required. This means that, during the machining cycle, the control system is involved solely with the supply of data from the store and does not conduct any calculation. As a result of this, the machining speed can be greatly increased and the computational power of the control unit may be significantly reduced. This is particularly useful in the production of bearings with complex interior shapes.

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First Claim