Tapered bearing for drive drum assembly of grinding machine utilizing multiple, parallel abrasive belts

摘要

A tapered bearing for the drive drum assembly of a belt grinding machine that employs multiple, parallel, abrasive grinding belts, and back-up shoes for pressing the belts against the surfaces on a workpiece to be ground. The drive drum assembly, in cooperation with small pulleys operatively associated with the contouring head, keeps the abrasive belts properly trained. The central shaft of the drive drum assembly, which has a plurality of large pulleys and spacers positioned therealong, is secured between a fixed bearing support and a laterally movable support bracket. A tapered bearing is fastened to one end of the central shaft, and a complementary shaped aperture is defined in a spindle retained in the movable support bracket. When the movable support bracket is shifted inwardly, by the hydraulic circuitry of the grinding machine, the tapered bearing fits snugly into the aperture so that the drive drum assembly is supported in a rigid, sag-free manner. The snug fit "pre-loads" the drive drum assembly and bearing assembly, so that such assemblies rotate smoothly, without slippage, when the drive belt delivers power to the drive drum assembly. Seals are provided about the tapered bearing so that dust and debris cannot degrade the bearing, and the bearing does not wear excessively, even under prolonged, high speed operation.