Design of Special Purpose Machine for Labelling of Grinding Wheel

Abstract

Special Purpose Machines (SPMs) are custom-built machines designed to perform specific, repetitive tasks. This project focuses on designing an SPM for automating the label-pasting operation on grinding wheels of various sizes produced by Norton Grindwell LTD. Currently, this task is done manually, which leads to high labor costs, extended time requirements, and lack of uniformity in output. The design process began with a detailed analysis of the existing manual method, including an assessment of the variation in wheel sizes. The label pasting process was broken down into five steps: loading the grinding wheel from the stack onto the machine, glue application, label pasting and pressing, and unloading the labeled wheel back into the stack. After conducting work and method studies, the machine’s layout and sequencing of operations were determined, and two possible layouts were designed: one using a horizontal conveyor belt system and the other with a rotating index table. Following a comparative analysis of factors such as design, space utilization, and drive systems, the rotating index table layout was selected for the final design. The detailed design, 3D part modeling, and assembly of the SPM were completed using CAD software. Based on force and torque calculations, suitable drive systems and actuating mechanisms were selected, and automation components like sensors and PLC systems were incorporated. The paper concludes with a presentation of the complete design process and CAD simulation