Advances in grinding and honing technology achieved

Citation

(1998), "Advances in grinding and honing technology achieved", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770aaf.004

Advances in grinding and honing technology achieved

Advances in grinding and honing technology achieved

Jones & Shipman plc, a leading grinding and honing machine manufacturer, has in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), successfully completed a joint research and development programme in the area of advanced computer-control, including the commercialisation of adaptive control techniques using interactive graphical interfaces. As a result, Jones and Shipman believe that not only will users benefit from improved control of accuracy with higher metal-removal rates, shorter cycle and reduced set-up times, but also the time required by Jones & Shipman to deliver these benefits to the market will be considerably shortened.

The project was implemented under the Teaching Company Scheme, the Government-funded agency created to forge new and lasting partnerships between higher technical education establishments and industry in order to improve UK industrial performance, profitability and management. The Scheme involved the recruitment of three engineering graduates: Andy Thomas, Nick Shepherd, and Craig Statham, to work at Jones & Shipman under the joint direction of Dr John Liverton, Jones & Shipman's Director of Engineering, Professor Brian Rowe, Academic Leader, and Dr Jim Moruzzi, Electronics Specialist, of LJMU. Dr Jim Moruzzi is also a Director of Jones & Shipman's Group Company, Goodwin Electronics, who also have a similar scheme. The three Teaching Company Associates all expressed satisfaction with their experience and have since accepted permanent appointments with Jones & Shipman. The University has seen further benefits arising from stimulation of research on a range of related topics.

The project comprised three distinct areas:

(1) The commercialisation of adaptive control for cylindrical grinding using interactive graphical interfaces. The new system improves control of accuracy with higher removal rates, shorter cycles and reduced set-up times.

The computer-numeric-control on Jones & Shipman's new "Supromat" cylindrical grinding machine, incorporating the new open systems interface which was developed in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University

(2) The development of fuzzy logic adaptive control of the honing process, whereby algorithms are used to correct straightness errors in cylinder liners using in-process gauging, thus avoiding cycle interruption for bore measurement. The system also uses a fuzzy logic control and real-time in-process shape identification to adjust stroke position and length.

(3) A new open systems interface which reduces the re-engineering effort required when either a new CNC or a new grinding machine is required to be interfaced. The new development maximises the re-usability of specialist software and allows the company to be more responsive to market demands for different machines and controllers of varying levels of complexity and price.

In a final report on the programme by independent assessors appointed by the Teaching Company Directorate, the highest possible grades were obtained: Category 1: scientific and or technological merit, "Highly significant contribution to field, Alpha 5"; and Category 2: management and use of resources, "Excellent". (Only 10 per cent in the programme achieve a grade 5 mark.)

Some of the developments of the TCS programme have already been incorporated into two of the latest Jones & Shipman computer-controlled products, namely the new "S promat" cylindrical grinding machine and the soon to be introduced, "Dominator" surface grinding and creep feed machine.

Details from Jones and Shipman plc, Narborough Road South, Leicester, LE3 2LF. Tel: 0116 289 6222; Fax: 0116 289 2945.