Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharpening skate blades operate by measuring the length of a skate blade, determining a predetermined profile corresponding to a desired radius of curvature for the blade, and coordinating the motion of a grinding wheel and the blade to grind the blade according to the predetermined profile. A grinding force is applied by the grinding wheel against the blade using a stepper motor coupled through a screw drive, thereby not allowing the grinding wheel to chatter or bounce against the blade. In addition, the blade is clamped end-to-end by a clamping assembly that also determines the length of the blade via the position of the clamp.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 1995
Date of Patent:
February 11, 1997
Assignee:
M.J.S. Manufacturing, Inc.
Inventors:
Randy L. Strain, Jeffrey P. Jannetto, Robert M. Evans