This proposal will investigate a new method for grinding the outside (OD) and inside diameters (ID) of rolling contact bearing rings at a single clamping of the bearing ring. Currently, two grinding machines are necessary; one for the OD, and one for the ID. This proposal seeks a new method to hold the rings without distorting them while leaving the OD and ID accessible to the grinding wheels and thereby eliminating the machine set-up time, tooling cost, and capital investment in one machine. The research work in this Phase 1 will conduct bench testing of a prototype fixture. This phase will also develop a computer round-up simulation program for the grinding round-up process, incorporating the sources of out-of-roundness. Both of these research objectives should lead to improved bearing accuracy and reduced manufacturing cost. If successful, the basis for developing a ID/OD bearing grinder will be established. Follow-on phases are planned which involve grinding bearing rings held in a prototype fixture and determining the actual capabilities of the ID/OD grinding concept, followed by commercial development of a ID/OD bearing grinder. This research should lead to a new grinder that will produce higher quality bearings at lower cost, which should be of significant benefit to rolling contact bearing manufacturers as well as users of these bearings.
