Grinding method and system with non-contact real-time detection of workpiece thickness

[0021]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of a system 1 according to this invention is shown to include a grinding device 12 and a control unit 3.

[0022]The system 1 of this embodiment detects thickness of and processes, by grinding, a workpiece 2, such as a watch casing, in real time without direct physical contact with the workpiece 2, in a manner that will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

[0023]The grinding device 12 includes a base unit 120, a grinding unit 121, a platform 124, a rotating member 125, and a servo motor unit 123. The grinding unit 121 is mounted movably on the base unit 120, includes a grinding wheel 1211, and is movable relative to the base unit 120 in a vertical direction, a first horizontal direction transverse to the vertical direction, and a second horizontal direction transverse to the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction. The platform 124 is mounted movably on the base unit 120, and is movable relative to the base uni