Apparatus and method for machining valve seats
An apparatus and a method for machining valve seats in a cylinder head of an internal combustion (IC) engine are disclosed. The apparatus includes a spindle and a tool for machining said valve seats utilizing an automated cycle. The apparatus switches operation from the automated cycle to a manual mode upon detecting an irregularity in machining of the valve seat, for example. The apparatus allows an operator to adjust the spindle, the tool or the parameters in the manual mode. The apparatus switches the operation from the manual mode to the automated cycle based on the spindle, the tool or the parameters adjusted for machining the valve seats. The apparatus includes a rotary encoder configured to capture accurate position of the spindle, the tool, and rotation direction of the tool and provide feedback to the controller for optimizing the machining of the valve seats.
1 . An apparatus for machining valve seats in a cylinder head of an internal combustion (IC) engine, said apparatus comprising:
a housing having cylinder head fixtures for receiving said cylinder head;
a working head positioned above said housing, wherein said working head comprises a spindle and a tool, and wherein said tool is configured to machine said valve seats in said cylinder head;
a hand wheel for manually operating said spindle and said tool;
an operational panel; and
a controller communicatively connected to said operational panel, wherein said controller controls said spindle and said tool,
wherein said controller operates spindle and said tool utilizing an automated cycle for machining said valve seats, wherein said controller switches the operation of said apparatus from said automated cycle to a manual mode upon detecting an irregularity in machining of said valve seats, wherein said controller facilitates adjusting said spindle, said tool or said parameters in said manual mode, and wherein said controller switches the operation of said apparatus from said manual mode to said automated cycle based on said spindle, said tool, or said parameters adjusted for machining said valve seats.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprises a rotary encoder, wherein said rotary encoder is configured to capture accurate position of said spindle, said tool, and rotation direction of said tool and provide feedback to said controller for optimizing the machining of said valve seats.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller switches the operation of said apparatus from said automated cycle to said manual mode and to said automated cycle based on instructions received from said operational panel.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said operational panel comprises a display presenting options to select said automated cycle and said manual mode.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said operational panel comprises a toggle switch for selecting said automated cycle and said manual mode.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller interrupts said automated cycle for switching the operation of said apparatus from said automated cycle to said manual mode.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller instructs the tool to retract upon switching from said automated cycle to said manual mode.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said tool retracts to a predetermined height.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller adjusts one of feed rate, speed of said tool, and aligning an angle of said tool.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller interrupts said automated cycle for switching the operation of said apparatus from said automated cycle to said manual mode for cleaning up said valve seat or adjusting valve seat runout of said valve seats.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the irregularity in machining of said valve seats comprises one of improper feed, depth, chatter, improper cutting, rough cutting, and burnishing.