Abstract
In order to practicalize high precision centerless grinder for machining the ferrule, its feeding system is designed and tested. For satisfying the desired diametric tolerance and cylindricity of the ferrule, the feeding system is designed to have relatively high axial stiffness of 600 N/$\mu\textrm{m}$, high angular motion accuracy of 0.5 arcsec/mm in yaw direction and minimum resolution of 0.05 $\mu\textrm{m}$. A prototype of feeding system is built up with hydrostatic guideway and ballscrew. A linear scale with 0.05 $\mu\textrm{m}$ of resolution is used for position feedback. Experimental results show that the feeding system has the infinity of axial stiffness within the range of 1000 N and 0.3 arcsec/mm of yawing error. Also the feeding system shows obvious step response against 0.05 $\mu\textrm{m}$/step command without the lost motion or backlash. Although the vertical stiffness is reduced to 440 N/$\mu\textrm{m}$ by the elastic deformation of rail, it is good enough to use for machining the ferrule. From above, it is confirmed that the feeding system is applicable to centerless grinder for machining the ferrule.
