Automatic tool grinding machine with computerized control

Abstract

The disclosed machine comprises holding means for holding a drill or other similar tool to be ground, first and second drive means for producing translatory movement of the holding means along rectangularly related directions, third drive means for producing the rotation of the holding means, a plurality of grinding units including grinding motors and wheels for grinding the tool, respective additional drive means for causing feeding movement of the grinding motors to bring the wheels into grinding engagement with the tool, swivel means for swiveling the holding means to present the tool to the respective grinding units, a keyboard for entering numerical dimensional values and parameters for controlling the drive means, a TV tube for displaying the values and parameters, a memory for storing the values and parameters, means for bringing up a series of questionnaire pages on the TV tube to prompt the operator to enter all of the dimensional values and parameters to program the machine, the questionnaires having a series of questions calling for values and parameters, the values and parameters being displayed on the TV tube opposite the respective questions when the values and parameters are entered by the operator, and means for putting the machine through a series of operations utilizing the values and parameters. The machine includes an unloader having a rotary turret with angularly spaced openings for receiving finished drills, means for reciprocating the turret into and out of an unloading position, a ratchet wheel on the turret, and a pawl for indexing the ratchet wheel when the turret is moved out of the unloading position.