Abstract: A method for improving uniformity level of a tire having a plurality of projections over a surface thereof includes the steps of measuring a variation in lateral force exerted on a contact are a of the tire while the tire is rotated in at least one of a normal direction and a reverse direction, determining two regions at a tire surface, one region including at least one position where the lateral force variation becomes maximum and the other region including at least one position where the lateral force variation becomes minimum based on the measurement result, and scouring over the determined two regions on at least one of the projections for each half part of the tire surface divided by the center line thereof, which satisfies the following conditions: 1) located on the side of the tire surface corresponding to a first direction in which the lateral force varies, and 2) located neither on a center line of a tire tread nor most outwardly with respect to the center line of the tire tread.

Abstract: A method of grinding ferrules for ribbon type optical fibers wherein the method comprises the steps of locating the end surfaces of the ferrules with respect to a grinding surface of a grinding member, reciprocatingly turnably displacing the ferrules along an arched locus, and grinding the end surfaces of the ferrules with the grinding wheel. To practice the method, an apparatus including a ferrule holding member, a supporting member having the ferrule holding member turnably supported thereon, a driving unit in the form of an electric motor including a reduction gear, a connecting rod bridged between the driving unit and the ferrule holding member to reciprocably turn the ferrule holding member, a grinding member mounted on a frame of the apparatus, a grinding position adjusting unit, a compression spring for normally biasing the supporting member in the upward direction, and a base board mounted on the frame of the apparatus for turning the supporting member about an intermediate position thereof.

Abstract: A method for texturing a disc substrate, and a particle slurry for use in the method. The slurry includes two populations of different-size particles, preferably one population containing particles in a 3 micron size range, and a second population containing particles in a 1 micron size range. The particles, when used to abrade the surface of a disc, create a surface texture characterized by a low peak/peak-to-valley ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved centrifugal blasting apparatus for the blast cleaning or shot peening treatment of a selected surface of an object to be treated by throwing pulverized abrasive material onto the surface. Its wheel casing has an elongated slot to permit pulverized abrasive material to pass therethrough and scatter through the air with centrifugal force, which is given by the blades of the rotary blade wheel. The inlet suction conduit extends from the blasting cabinet to the wheel casing, and the outlet suction conduit extends from the wheel casing to an associated vacuum pump. The abrasive material storage or collector is provided in the inlet suction conduit, thus making up an abrasive material circulating loop. The apparatus uses no force of gravity to supply pulverized abrasive material to its rotary blade wheel, and therefore, the positioning of the rotary blade wheel is not limited with regard to availableness of the force of gravity.

Abstract: A gear cutting tool has a series of separate cutter inserts removeably clamped to the front ledge of a holder block. Each cutter insert has a forward cutting edge that extends beyond the ledge and a rear positioning portion that includes a central projection extending rearwardly from side faces. The central projection mates with a respective one of a series of parallel tracks formed in the holder block and the rear faces mate with upright front walls at the rear of the ledge on either side of the track. The arrangement precisely locates the cutter insert in the holder block. The holder block may be formed of a single piece or may be built up of identical interlocking block elements.

Abstract: A blasting apparatus for blasting a pressurized slurry against a workpiece, including an enclosed pressure vessel which is adapted to contain and hold a slurry of abrasive particles and liquid, a piping branch connected to the upper part of the pressure vessel for introducing compressed air in order to pressurize the interior of the vessel, a complementary air circuit which connect the upper part of the pressure vessel with the bottom of the vessel, the circuit having a pressure modulating device which sucks compressed air from the upper part of the vessel and delivers it to the bottom of the vessel, and a blasting gun connected for receiving pressurized slurry from the pressure vessel and discharging it against a workpiece.

Abstract: A tool arranged for cleaning marine terminal battery posts is provided with an elongate cylindrical body having first and second end faces. The end faces each include respective first and second sets of radially directed cutting blades mounted orthogonally to the axis of the body. First and second coaxial bores are directed into the first and second end faces of varying diameters to accommodate like diameters of the marine battery terminal posts.

Abstract: A combined belt and disc sander is disclosed which provides a belt sander than can be pivoted from a horizontal to vertical position, a disc sander that is fixed below the upper horizontal plane of the belt sander, and a drive motor assembly than can drive both the belt sander and disc sander. A movable work table for supporting a workpiece is capable of being used with the belt sander or the disc sander, as may be desired. The angle of the work table relative to the belt sander or the disc sander can be adjusted so that the workpiece can be placed at the desired angle relative to the belt or disc sander. The sander further includes a sawdust collection mechanism that can be attached to a utility vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A device for grinding the head of a valve, especially of an internal-combustion engine, has a rigid stand, a structure for supporting the valve stem in terms of rotation that is arranged fixedly and vertically on the stand, a stop for rotational bearing against the valve tail, and a drive mechanism for driving the valve in rotation by the front face. The drive mechanism is arranged vertically below the structure for supporting the valve stem in terms of rotation with a coupling to compensate for any misalignment between the axis of rotation of the drive mechanism and the axis of rotation of the valve stem. A machining station is mounted on the stand having a machining tool mounted thereto in an orientable manner so that the machining axis may be adjusted in relation to the fixed and vertical reference system of the valve stem.

Abstract: A small sharpening device for ice skates that is intended to be carried in a person's pocket, which can be adjusted to fit and to sharpen all existing ice skates having either concave or flat-ground blades. The sharpener has two side pieces that form a gap to fit around the ice skate blade and a central flexible grinding cylinder that as the sharpener is moved back and forth along the skate blade adjusts to and sharpens either concave shaped blades or flat-ground blades. The round central cylinder can be replaced when worn out or when a polygon shaped grinding cylinder is required for certain flat-ground blades. The adjustable, parallel sides prevent the sharpener from rocking from side to side as the device is moved back and forth along the blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an abrasive article comprising an aligned row of connected abrasive sheet members each having a main portion, an aperture formed in the main portion, and a plurality of arm portions perimetrically spaced about the main portion at a constant angle with respect to each adjacent arm portion. The sheet members are formed to enable the aligned row to be Z-folded such that the apertures of each respective sheet member are substantially in register, and the arm portions of each abrasive sheet member are angularly offset with respect to the arm portions of each immediately adjacent abrasive sheet portion by one-half of the angle between each of the arm portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for polishing semiconductor wafers in which a force applied to the wafer is uniformly distributed across a surface of the wafer during polishing using a hydrostatic or compliant material situated between the wafer and a piston. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrostatic or compliant material is an elastic solid or fluid filled bag. One or more teflon disks or teflon coated surfaces may be included between the hydrostatic or compliant material and a second compliant layer to form a bearing to allow the wafer to rotate about its central axis during polishing.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a brake rotor and the method of using the same. The tool has two parts, one for cleaning the rotor surface and the other for turning the rotor surface. The tool for cleaning the rotor surface has a generally U-shaped handle with a pair of abrasive members at each end. The U-shaped tool is held so that its abrasive members contact the surface of the rotor, and the member is then squeezed. The second tool has a socket which is placed over a lug nut, and a straight, cylindrical handle is affixed to the socket. An elongated sleeve is placed loosely over the handle, and the socket is turned in a circular motion so that the rotor is turned thereby moving the rotor against the two abrasive members.

Abstract: A micro-abrading method wherein an abrading section undergoes a micromotion in the XY-direction parallel with the surface of a workpiece according to the operation of an actuator comprising piezoelectric elements, and an abrading material is held between the abrading section positioned at the lower end of an abrading tool and the workpiece. The phase difference between the X-direction motion and the Y-direction motion is cyclically changed while the abrading section is undergoing the micromotion, and the surface of the workpiece is entirely and uniformly abraded even though a large area is abraded.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the lateral tracking movement of a wide abrasive belt that utilizes a driven contact roller and an idler roller that is mounted in a cradle that allows it to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the idler roller and the non-abrasive back of the belt itself as it rides on an angled sensor. This sensor is angled such that the belt path becomes longer as the belt creeps and since the belt is unable to stretch it applys a force to the angled sensor which responds by increasing that force with a lever arm and continually adjusting the tracking mechanism through a connection to the pivoting cradle. These adjustments result in correct belt tracking.

Abstract: The machine for machining edges, particularly of glass plates, includes, on a supporting structure, mutually opposite conveyors which extend continuously and are suitable for moving the plates to be machined at machining heads. At least one of the conveyors has a plurality of adjacent sliding blocks each of which includes an elongated supporting body on which a covering is provided which has blocks for gripping the plates being machined. The elongated supporting body has, inside it, a T-shaped seat for slidingly retaining and guiding a rod-like element to which a pad is connected; the pad can be arranged at a presettable distance from the blocks, which have a fixed vertical placement with respect to the machining surface.

Abstract: An automated abrasive slurry metal finishing machine and process includes a part handler which transfers a metal part to a single spindle which inserts the part into the abrasive slurry for rotation oscillation and pendulum motion of the part in particularly agitated slurry.

Abstract: An automated lapping system employing a rotating table with a horizontal lapping surface and one or more parts tracks with escapement mechanisms for regulating the rate at which parts cross the lapping table. Each parts track is suspended above the rotating surface of the table, and confines the parts to move in single file across the surface of the rotating table. Multiple stations are provided along each track to cause each part passing through the track to stop for a predetermined amount of time at each station. The escapement mechanisms control the stopping and releasing of the parts along each track at the stations. Selected stations, called powered lapping stations, are provided on each track for applying positive downwardly-directed pressure to the part stopped at the station. These powered lapping stations and the escapement mechanisms preferably employ hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders for actuators.

Abstract: A lens block for use in securing an optical lens during cutting, grinding and polishing of the lens is disclosed wherein the lens block is formed from a plastic material and includes various radially extending grooves for introducing an adhesive material between the lens block and a lens blank to be worked upon. The grooves also defined therebetween various ribs and upstanding surface portions which function to increase the surface area of the lens block for adhesion purposes and to provide additional structural rigidity to the lens block which prevents flexing of the block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an abrasive cleaning device for tubing useful for brushing and reaming, which comprises: (a) an axial shaft adapted to be attached to a power tool chuck and having a central longitudinal axis; (b) a generally flat rear wall attached to the shaft; (c) at least two working members, each of the working members having two walls, a first wall and a second wall and having an angle of at least 45.degree. between the first wall and the second wall, the first wall having a tubing reaming blade thereon; and the second wall having thereon abrasive for abrading tubing; (d) hinges connected to the rear wall and to the working members such that the working members are hingedly connected to the rear wall and have a first position and a second position relative to the rear wall, the second position being such that the second wall is hinged outwardly by at least about 20.degree.