McGyver
Yes, I can see your point however ....Don't like grinding on a lathe.Good lathes such as my Myford cost big bucks and grinding can make a real mess of things.
Grinding machine once setup is fully automatic carries on grinding while I'm doing other things. Using optical switches fits in with the plc controller and DC motors I had on hand that are simpler to set up. When changing from one crankshaft design to another, simple parameter changes are all that is necessary.... no programming changes required.
The 4140 steel was used as is ... it requires no hardening ... thats the reason why I used it. In any case, most forms of hardening can create all sorts of problems (bending)
The grind wheels I used are simple cut-off wheels ...cost about A$3.00 and work fine. They are made here in Aus but no doubt you would have similar where you are. 180mm dia with 22 mm bore .... two thicknesses .... 1 @ 2.7mm and the other @ 6.8mm ... max speed of 8600rpm so I'm well within the limits at 1450 rpm. Just took a look at the one I used for the 4 cylinder crank and the wear on it is about 40 thou diameter. Not bad considering this was for the journals and the crankwebs as well as a light touch with the "true-up" stone
............ Jeff
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