(19)
(11) EP 1 563 953 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
29.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/44

(21) Application number: 03386024.8

(22) Date of filing: 10.10.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B24B 11/10(2006.01)
B24B 41/06(2006.01)

(54)

The way of machining of spherical surfaces and the device for its realization

Fertigungsweise von kugelförmigen Oberflächen und Vorrichtung zur Anwendung derselben

Procédé d'usinage de surfaces sphériques et dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
17.08.2005 Bulletin 2005/33

(73) Proprietors:
  • Mamalis, Athanasios
    15780 Athènes (GR)
  • Novikov, Nikolay V.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)
  • Rozenberg, Oleg. A.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)
  • Sokhan, Serg V.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)

(72) Inventors:
  • Mamalis, Athanasios
    15780 Athènes (GR)
  • Novikov, Nikolay V.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)
  • Rozenberg, Oleg. A.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)
  • Sokhan, Serg V.
    Kiev 04074 (UA)

(74) Representative: Kalonarou, Chariklia 
Neofytou Vamva 1
GR-106 74 Athens
GR-106 74 Athens (GR)


(56) References cited: : 
GB-A- 191 208 662
US-A- 3 961 448
US-A- 2 693 631
   
  • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 007, no. 001 (M-183), 6 January 1983 (1983-01-06) & JP 57 163051 A (NTN TOYO BEARING KK), 7 October 1982 (1982-10-07)
   
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description


[0001] Inventions deals with the machining of spherical surfaces a way of machining and a device for machining such surfaces as disclosed in the preamble of the claims 1 and 2 has been published in JP-A-571 63 051. They may be used in oil, auto tractor, aviation and other fields of industry, and also for machining of hip-joint ceramic balls.

[0002] The way of machining of spherical surfaces of workpieces and namely rods with a spherical end, includes:
  1. a) a disposition containing the tool and a number of workpieces displaced in a circular direction, with their axes intersecting at the center of a machined spherical surface (used as a reference surface),
  2. b) rotation of the tool over its own axis,
  3. c) placement of the tool inner face in contact to a spherical surface (to be machined)
  4. d) feeding of the tool, ready to start the material removal processes, by forced rotation of workpieces over an axis passing through the center of a machined spherical surface, under a right angle to a plane formed by the axes of workpieces and the tool
(see no 94016719 patent of the Russian Federation, the International classification 6 B23B5/40, B24B11/10, published 1996.01.10, bulletin No 1).

[0003] The finishing process of spherical surfaces, and namely in the case of optical workpieces being parts of a full-sphere, includes:
  1. a) a disposition containing a rotating tool under an angle to a workpiece with their axes intersecting at the center of a machined spherical surface (used as a reference surface),
  2. b) the forced rotation of the workpiece over its own axis,
  3. c) placement of the tool inner face in contact to a spherical surface
  4. d) feeding of the tool
(see no 92012175 patent of the Russian Federation, the International classification 7 B24B11/10, published 1995.03.20, bulletin no 8).

[0004] The device for carrying out the machining of spherical surfaces of rod workpieces, contains:
  1. a) a forced-rotating tool holder and
  2. b) a mandrel for fixing a number of workpieces, arranged in a circular direction and with their axes intersecting at the center of a machined (reference) spherical surface, so that their axes of rotation to intersect under a right angle at the center of this spherical surface.
(see no 94016719 patent of the Russian Federation, the International classification 6 B23B5/40, B24B11/10, published 1996.01.10, bulletin no 1).

[0005] The device for carrying out the machining of spherical, namely optical workpieces, contains:
  1. a) a forced-rotating mandrel for fixing of a workpiece and
  2. b) holder for the rotating tool, arranged so that
    1. 1) the axes of rotation of the tool and a workpiece to intersect under an angle at the center of a spherical (reference) surface,
    2. 2) the tool completely covering the workpiece, and
    3. 3) to achieve the combination of workpiece and tool faces
(see no 92012175 patent of the Russian Federation, the International classification 7 B24B 11/10, published 1992.03.30, bulletin no 12).

[0006] Common faults of the above-mentioned machining processes and devices are a rather low accuracy in the machining of a spherical surface. It depends on the positioning accuracy of the tool in reference with the workpiece and on the tool wear. Moreover, the machining of a spherical surface having height exceeding its radius is not possible. It must be noted that there are not spherical optical workpieces having height less than the radius of the full- sphere.

[0007] The development of a machining process of spherical surfaces and the device for its realization, integrated by a uniform intention of the invention, is put as a basis of the claimed invention. A modification of the scheme of machining is ensured by a realization of feeding on penetration with force, acting in an offered direction. This mechanism allows increasing of contact pressure in those points of a machined surface at a distance from an axis of rotation and consequently (as well as the cutting velocity) is promptly diminished to zero. Thus, an increase of an oversize removal is attained at these points. As the corollary, a possibility of machining of spherical workpieces having height exceeding their radius is ensured. Since, there are no spherical optical workpieces full-sphere having height less than the radius of the full-sphere, a way of machining of such spherical surfaces is proposed, including:
  1. a) placement of the rotating tool in a certain angle with reference to a workpiece with their axes intersecting at the centre of a machined spherical surface,
  2. b) forced-rotation of the workpiece over its own axis,
  3. c) placement of the tool by its face in contact with a spherical surface and
  4. d) feeding of the tool, ready to start the penetration into the workpiece,
    and adding the following differences:
  5. e) the tool lies freely on its axis, and
  6. f) tool feeding is realized by force acting in a certain direction from the centre of a spherical surface, forming an the acute angle between the tool and the workpiece axes.


[0008] It is also developed a device for machining of spherical surfaces, containing:
  1. a) a forced-rotating mandrel for fixing the workpiece and
  2. b) a tool holder the rotating tool, located so that the axes of rotation of the tool and the workpiece intersect at the centre of the machined spherical surface,
    and adding the following differences:
  3. c) the tool holder lies on a spherical bearing, which is elastically pressed to it in a plane formed by the tool and the workpiece axes, forming an acute angle.


[0009] Optimum solution may be attained, if
  • a spherical bearing, on which the tool holder is lied, has a possibility to change the pressing direction, but each time in a direction of an evocative acute angle formed by the intersection of the tool and the workpiece axes, and
  • a floating mandrel for fixing of the workpiece is used.


[0010] The cause-effect relationship between sum of signs, which are claimed and engineering outcomes, which are achieved owing to their realization, consists of the following:

Due to a hold-down force of a tool acting at a certain distance from the centre of a machined spherical surface that may be realized for date of claim only under condition of realization of the offered device (a unity of claimed intentions consists of it), the moment of force causes the appropriate non-symmetric redistribution of contact pressure in a direction of those points of a machined surface, the distance of which from an axis of rotation is promptly diminished up to zero. The velocity of oversize removal at any point of the machined surface is directly proportional to the product of the contact pressure and the cutting velocity for a free abrading. Taking into account an increase or decrease of contact pressure in a direction of the indicated points, it is possible to augment or diminish the velocity of oversize removal at these points. Thus, creation of conditions for the above mentioned redistribution of contact pressure allows completely or partly a modification of the cutting velocity at in these points. The modification of cutting velocity allows levelling a velocity of oversize removal at the profile of a workpiece. Thereof the heightening of the exactitude and efficiency of machining process is ensured. Technological possibilities of the device simultaneously extend due to such scheme of machining.



[0011] A possibility of machining spherical workpieces having height of the spherical surface exceeding its radius is ensured.

[0012] The device for machining of spherical surfaces contains (Fig. 1) a forced-rotating floating mandrel 1 for fixing the workpiece 2, so that the centre of its spherical surface lies on its axis of rotation and a tool holder 3 which is located with the axes of rotation of the tool 4 and the workpiece 2 intersecting at the centre of a spherical surface. The tool holder 3 lies in a spherical bearing 5 which is elastically pressed to it by means of an elastic element 6 in the plane formed by the axes of tool 4 and workpiece 2, forming an acute angle. Due to the spherical bearing 5, the tool 4 lays freely with its face in contact with a spherical surface and rotates over its own axis.


Claims

1. A way of machining of spherical surfaces, including:

a) laying of the rotating tool under an angle with reference to a workpiece with their axes intersecting at the centre of a machined spherical surface,

b) forced-rotation of workpieces over their own axis,

c) tool positioning by its face in contact with a spherical surface and

d) feeding of the tool ready to start penetration into the workpiece material, and characterized in that:

e) the tool lies freely on its axis, and

f) tool feeding is realized by a force acting in a certain direction with relevance to the centre of a spherical surface, forming an acute angle between the tool and workpiece axes.


 
2. The device for machining of spherical surfaces, containing:

a) a forced-rotating mandrel for fixing the workpiece and

b) a tool holder for the rotating tool, located so that the axes of rotation of tool and workpiece intersect at the centre of a machined spherical surface, and characterized in that:

c) the tool holder lies on a spherical bearing, which is elastically pressed to it in a plane formed by the tool and the workpiece axes, forming an acute angle.


 
3. The device on item 2, which differs in layout, so that the spherical bearing on which the tool holder lies has a possibility to change direction of pressing, but each time in the direction of the evocative acute angle formed by the tool and the workpiece axes.
 
4. The device on item 2, which differs that the mandrel for fixing a workpiece is floating.
 


Ansprüche

1. Fertigungsweise von kugelförmigen Oberflächen, inklusiv:

a) Positionierung des Drehwerkzeugs unter einem Winkel zum Werkstück wobei sich die Achsen der beiden am Zentrum der zu anfertigenden sphärischen Oberfläche überschneiden,

b) Erzwungene Rotation von Werkstücken um ihre Drehachsen,

c) Positionierung des Drehwerkzeugs in unmittelbaren Kontakt zu einer sphärischen Oberfläche, und

d) Zufuhr vom Drehwerkzeug in Startposition zum Eindringen ins Werkstück,

e) Das Drehwerkzeug liegt frei an seiner Achse,

f) Das Eindringen vom Drehwerkzeug wird durch eine Kraft realisiert, die in einer Richtung einwirkt welche einen spitzen Winkel zwischen den Achsen vom Werkzeug und Werkstück umschließt.


 
2. Die Anordnung zur Anfertigung sphärischer Oberflächen enthält:

a) einen erzwungen rotierenden Aufspannbolzen zur Fixierung des Werkstücks, und

b) einen Drehwerkzeughalter derart positioniert, daß sich die Rotationsachsen vom Drehwerkzeug und Werkstück am Zentrum der zu anfertigenden sphärischen Oberfläche überschneiden, und

c) der Werkzeughalter liegt auf einem an ihn elastisch gelagerten sphärischen Auflager in einer durch die spitzwicklingen Achsen vom Werkzeug und Werkstück gebildeten Ebene.


 
3. Die Anordnung im Teil 2, welche sich insofern unterscheidet, daß der sphärische Auflager vom Werkzeughalter die Möglichkeit hat die Lagerrichtung zu wechseln, und zwar in der Richtung des zwischen der Achsen vom Werkzeug und Werkstück hervorgerufenen Spitzwinkels.
 
4. Die Anordnung im Teil 2, welche sich insofern unterscheidet, daß der Aufspannbolzen zur Fixierung des Werkstücks freigleitend ist.
 


Revendications

1. Méthode d'usinage des surfaces sphérique, y compris :

a. positionnement de l'outil en rotation à un angle, par rapport à la pièce à usiner, de telle façon que, leurs axes se coupent au centre de la sphère,

b. rotation forcée de la pièce à usiner autour de son axe propre,

c. positionnement de l'outil en contact à la surface sphérique,

d. alimentation de l'outil en position de coupe sur la pièce à usiner, caractérisée par les faits que:

e. l'outil repose libre sur son axe, et

f. l'alimentation de l'outil est réalisé par une force exercée à une certaine direction respectivement au centre de la sphère, l'angle entre l'outil et la pièce étant aigu.


 
2. Dispositif d'usinage des surfaces sphériques, caractérisé en ce qu'il est constitué de:

a. un mandrin à fixer la pièce à usiner en rotation forcée, et

b. le porte-outil, retenant l'outil en rotation, positionné de façon que, les axes de rotation de l'outil et de la pièce se coupe au centre de la surface sphérique à usiner, et caractérisée par :

c. le porte-outil repose sur un palier sphérique, lequel est élastiquement pressé contre lui sur un plan formé par les axes de l'outil et de la pièce à usiner, formant un angle aigu.


 
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le palier sphérique sur lequel repose le porte-outil a la possibilité de changer de direction de pression, mais chaque fois dans la direction de l'angle aigu formée par l'outil et la pièce à usiner.
 
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le mandrin retenant la pièce à usiner est flottant.
 




Drawing








Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description