Abstract: A fixture securely holds a blank having at least two spaced apart locators. The fixture has a base with spaced apart end walls, one supporting a clamping mechanism and the other supporting an abutment, at least one of which is free to pivot in relation to the end wall that supports it. Upon securing the blank into the fixture, the clamping mechanism mates with one of the locators on the blank and forces another of the locators into contact with the abutment. A method includes providing a blank having a least two spaced apart locators, providing a fixture having a base with two spaced apart end walls, one supporting a clamping mechanism and the other supporting an abutment, at least one of which is fee to pivot in relation to the end wall that supports it, and securing the bland into the fixture where in the clamping mechanism mates with one of the locators and forces another of the locators into contact with the abutment.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously or selectively grinding ends of a plurality of optical fibers held by optical fiber end devices such as connectors including ferrules. The apparatus has a holder plate having a plurality of types of supporting structures for fixing and supporting a plurality of types of optical fiber end devices with optical fibers connected thereto. Spring or weights are used for urging ends of the optical fibers on the optical fiber end devices supported by the supporting structures. A circular-path-based relative motion is caused to occur between the holder plate and the grinding plate. Each of the optical fiber end devices is a connector including a ferrule. In such a case, the plurality of types of optical fiber end devices may be connectors whose end surfaces are to be ground at different angles or may be the connectors of different connection types.

Abstract: A grinding disc holder for holding and dispensing paper backed abrasive grinding discs. The grinding disc holder includes a base plate and a top plate spaced above the base plate. A spaced apart pair of support rods are extended between the base plate and the top plate. A slide bar is extended between the base plate and the top plate. A clamp plate is interposed between the base plate and the top plate. The clamp plate is positioned between the support rods and the slide bar. A jaw assembly is slidably mounted on the slide bar to permit sliding of the jaw assembly along the slide bar between the base plate and the top plate. The jaw assembly has a sub-assembly for releasably holding the jaw assembly in a fixed positioned on the slide bar. The jaw assembly also has a jaw portion coupled to the clamp plate such that sliding of the jaw assembly along the slide bar in turn moves the clamp plate between the base plate and the top plate.

Abstract: A method for forming a precisely shaped part includes providing a blank having at least two spaced apart locators, providing a fixture having a U-shaped base with two spaced apart end walls, one supporting a clamping mechanism and the other supporting an abutment, securing the blank into the fixture such that the clamping mechanism mates with one of the locators and forces another of the locators into contact with the abutment, and subsequently machining the blank. The locators on the blank are shaped to mate with corresponding features on the fixture, such that the fixture uses the locators to secure the blank. The locators are disposed in a plane from which critical design features are referenced. Once the blank is clamped into the fixture details can be accurately machined into the blank forming a precisely shaped part.

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A fixture for manufacturing a precisely shaped part, such as a turbine blade, securely holds a blank for subsequent machining. A blank for use with the fixture generally comprises a tip, a root region longitudinally spaced from the tip, and a midspan region extending therebetween. The blank is further characterized by a sacrificial region extending substantially longitudinally from the root region, a stacking axis and a root centerline from which critical dimensions of the blade are referenced, and a plurality of locators. The first locator, a bore, being disposed at the tip on the stacking axis. The second locator, a notch, being disposed within the sacrificial region aligned with the stacking axis. The third locator, a notch, being disposed within the sacrificial region is characterized by a corner, which is parallel to the root centerline. The fixture includes a base having end walls being spaced apart to accommodate the blank therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and cutting an metal tree casting includes a frame having a vertically shiftable cutting blade assembly mounted thereon. A horizontally disposed clamp is mounted on a pivot support for pivoting the clamp horizontally about a vertical axis. The clamp is provided with clamping jaws for clamping the metal casting tree and is rotatable about a horizontal axis. A carriage is mounted on a transverse slide assembly and pivotally supports the pivot support thereon. A longitudinal slide assembly is connected with the transverse slide assembly and cooperates therewith for permitting transverse and longitudinal movement of the clamp and metal tree clamped thereby.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a metal foil sheet to produce magnetic recording media. The method comprises providing an elongate metal foil sheet having a first side and a second side. The sheet is advanced through a plurality of processing stations in equal unit length segments such that each segment receives the same treatment to form a magnetic recording medium from each segment. Method are also provided to prepare the foil surfaces by polishing, texturing, cleaning, and stress relieving, to coat the prepared surfaces with at least one metal layer, to finish the coated layers by buffing, burnishing, and lubricating, and to form disk units from the prepared, coated and finished surfaces.

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: A new machine for and method of manufacturing fluted pin fasteners and the pins produces thereby are disclosed which utilize a circular grinding arrangement of a plurality of grinders which grind flutes into a threaded pin. An internally threaded collar threads onto the pin. When the collar engages a surface of a work piece, resistance to further threading increases. When sufficient resistance to threading occurs, the driver deforms the lobes of the collar radially inward toward the axis of the collar. Material of the collar positioned internally from the lobes responds to deformation of the lobes and flows radially inward into the flutes of the pin to lock the collar, pin, and work piece together. The driver then rotates freely, and a joint has been made with a predetermined axial load thereby locking the component parts together.

Abstract: A method for forming a precisely shaped part includes providing a blank having at least two spaced apart locators, providing a fixture having a U-shaped base with two spaced apart end walls, one supporting a clamping mechanism and the other supporting an abutment, securing the blank into the fixture such that the clamping mechanism mates with one of the locators and forces another of the locators into contact with the abutment, and subsequently machining the blank. The locators on the blank are shaped to mate with corresponding features on the fixture, such that the fixture uses the locators to secure the blank. The locators are disposed in a plane from which critical design features are referenced. Once the blank is clamped into the fixture details can be accurately machined into the blank forming a precisely shaped part.

Abstract: A fixture for retaining mold pin workpieces for separate cut-off and precision grinding operations, facilitating the efficient machining of quantities of mold pins to close tolerances, when employed in combination with a machine such as a manual surface grinder, or other machining tool. The fixture includes a base pate, with a vertically upstanding cylindrical post secured to the base plate. A head assembly is slidably mounted on the post for both vertical position adjustment and rotational (angular) adjustment. A vertically-extending graticule line on the post and a graduated degree scale on the head assembly cooperate to facilitate rotational adjustment of the head assembly to particular angles. In addition, the base plate has primary side and secondary positioning reference edges oriented at precise angles. The head assembly has a pin-clamping portion extending horizontally from the post to a distal end generally along a head assembly axis perpendicular to the post.

Abstract: A grinding guide assembly for grinding or sharpening the carbide surface of a snowmobile wear bar. The grinding guide assembly features a pair of angle adjusters and a support guide that slide together back and forth across a pair of substantially parallel rods. The angle at which the wear bar contacts the grinding surface may be selected while the wear bar is securely clamped to the support guide. The length of the rods may be any desired length to allow the grinding guide assembly the capability to grind or sharpen an object of any length.

Abstract: An adjustment plate (10) is used for holding a fixture plate (12) adjustably on a grinder table (14). The adjustment plate (10) includes a shoulder bolt (30) that passes through the fixture plate (12) and threadably engages the adjustment plate (10). The adjustment plate (10) further includes a toggle bolt assembly (50) attached to the base of the adjustment plate to engage the fixture plate (12). The shoulder bolt (30) and the toggle bolt (50) allow the fixture plate (12) to be adjusted about the vertical axis of the adjustment plate (10). The adjustment plate (10) further includes a clamp (32) that is used to clamp the fixture plate (12) to the adjustment plate (10) when the fixture plate (12) is properly positioned. The adjustment plate (10) is attached to the grinder table (14) by a plurality of T-bolts (64) slidably received in T-bolt holes (70) in adjustment plate (10). A plurality of set screws (80) are threadably received in adjustment plate (10) and each engage the grinder table (14).

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-centering template useful for centering cylindrical bodies on their axes in rotating machines such as a concentric grinder. The centering templates of the invention are generically cup-shaped plates, having an end disc with a dependent, preferably integral, cylindrical wall. The disc has a central aperture which is intersected by a radial slot extending from the periphery of the disc. The inside surface of the annular wall is tapered from a maximum thickness adjacent the disc. In use, templates are placed over the opposite ends of a cropped silicon ingot and the resultant assembly is mounted in the concentric grinding machine, with the central aperture of the template disc guiding the head stock and tail stock chuck into centric engagement with the ends of the ingot. After the ingot is clamped in the machine, the templates are removed by passing the radial slots of the templates past the machine shafts.

Abstract: A blank for manufacturing a precisely shaped part, such as a turbine blade, generally comprises a tip, a root region longitudinally spaced from the tip, and a midspan region extending therebetween. The blank is further characterized by a sacrificial region extending substantially longitudinally from the root region, a stacking axis and a root centerline from which critical dimensions of the blade are referenced, and a plurality of locators. The first locator, a bore, being disposed at the tip on the stacking axis. The second locator, a notch, being disposed within the sacrificial region aligned with the stacking axis. The third locator, a notch, being disposed within the sacrificial region is characterized by a corner, which is parallel to the root centerline. The locators are shaped to mate with corresponding features on a fixture, such that the fixture uses the locators to securely hold the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately positioning a wide tolerance work piece, wherein the work piece has a first portion with a known reference surface and a second portion whose position relative to the first portion is not exactly known. The apparatus includes a locating fixture for positioning the first portion of the work piece in a known relationship to the locating fixture. A work piece holding fixture having at least one non-synchronous gripping device conforms to the unknown position of the second portion of the work piece and holds the first portion of the work piece in the known position.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector polishing fixture (20) for use with a polishing machine (22). The polishing machine polishes optical fiber connectors which are retained in such fixture by clamping a ferrule of the connector in a connector clamping assembly (32). The fixture (20) includes a plate portion (24) which has a perimeter edge. A plurality of arms (28) extend from the plate portion (24) for attachment to a polishing machine (22). A plurality of segments (30) of said plate portion are defined by areas between neighboring arms (28). A plurality of connector clamping assemblies (32) are positioned within each segment (30) of the plate portion (24). These connector clamping assemblies (32) are generally, radially oriented within the corresponding segment (30).

Abstract: A fixture for holding mounted specimens for polishing, having an arm; a body attached to one end of the arm, the body having at least one flange having an opening to accommodate a mounted specimen; and a means applying pressure against the outer surface of the mounted specimen to hold the specimen in contact with the polishing surface.

Abstract: A new Pin Vise for removably retaining various sizes of pins for grinding to a specified length which allows the user to easily load and unload the pin for increased productivity. The inventive device includes a base member, a support shaft secured to the base member orthogonally, a top member secured to the support shaft opposite of the base member, and a spring loaded pin retaining means slidably secured to the top member which retains the pin against the top member thereby allowing grinding to the specified length.

Abstract: An edge clamp apparatus includes an elongated body 14 defining a cylindrical bore within which a piston 86 is received for movement between retracted and extended positions. The body 14 includes a mounting surface 18 and opposed front and rear body portions, and the bore is formed in the rear portion. The front portion includes a support surface 48 that intersects the cylindrical bore of the rear portion and is inclined relative to the mounting surface by an angle of about 10.degree.. A cap 16 is secured to the front portion of the body 14 for closing off the cylindrical bore of the body and limiting movement of the piston 86. The cap 16 includes an inner surface engaging the support surface 46 of the body 14, and a recess formed in the inner surface for receiving a clamp blade 12.

Abstract: Polishing machines, fixtures, and apparatus for setting up connectors of varying geometries on polishing fixtures. The setup plates have a plurality of axial holes disposed around the perimeter of the setup plate that will receive optical fibers. The setup plate further comprises a reference surface for providing interference with ferrules in the connectors so that the ferrules protrude uniformly through the polishing fixtures. Since the polishing machines described herein can polish connectors of varying geometries at one time, these machines operate efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: The frame holder for prescription glasses (24) of the type featuring two jaws mounted in such manner that they slide in relation to each other so that they can move toward or away from each other, and also featuring a device (22) to center the frame (24) between the jaws (12) so as to hold said frame (24) in a reference plane (P), characterized by the fact that it features a device (30) to support frame (24) approximately in the reference plane (P) before the frame (24) is clamped inside the jaws (12).

Abstract: A device for supporting a workpiece for being ground to size by the use of a grinding means, comprising a base member having a work-supporting means operably associated therewith. The base member supports the work-supporting means by a hinge member, with the base member and the work-supporting means normally being in an aligned relationship, but with the hinge member enabling the relationship of the work-supporting means to the base member to be angularly modified on occasion. The work-supporting means has thereon a work-clamping device constructed and arranged to hold a workpiece in a selected position, such that a portion of the workpiece held in the work-clamping device can be brought into direct contact with the grinding means. A depth-controlling member operably mounted upon the base member is positioned to normally contact a workpiece held in the work-clamping device.

Abstract: In a machine tool having a base member, a table supported on the base member, on which a workpiece may be positioned to be machined, and a toolhead assembly supported on the base member, provided with a tool engageable with the workpiece positioned on the table for performing a work function relative thereto wherein the table and the toolhead assembly are displaceable relative to each other along a line of travel, an assembly for holding down a workpiece positioned on the table upon relative displacement of the table and the toolhead assembly along the line of travel generally consisting of at least one upper roller having an axis disposed transversely relative to the line of travel and engageable in rolling contact with an upper surface of a workpiece positioned on the table, a set of lower rollers each having an axis disposed transversely relative to the line of travel and engageable in rolling contact with an undersurface of the table and means supported on the base member and operatively interconnecting t

Abstract: A method of midspan or end entry accessing of one or more selected optical fibers carried by an optical ribbon fiber. The top and bottom surfaces of a first selected span of the optical ribbon fiber are friction abraded to initiate delamination of the bond between the optical fibers and the matrix encapsulant. The delamination is completed by applying a rolling force to the circumference of the first selected span, and the delamination is then propagated by introducing the first selected span into the bore of a die element and urging the die element along a relatively longer second selected span of the optical ribbon fiber. With the delamination completed, the tip of an elongated tool is inserted through the encapsulant within the second selected span and between one or more selected optical fibers and the remaining optical fibers within the optical ribbon fiber.

Abstract: During polishing of a gemstone (30, 100, 200), a coolant is passed in heat exchange relationship with the gemstone to remove heat. This reduces the risk of temperature degradation of the gemstone. In practice, this can be achieved by passing a fluent coolant through a coolant chamber (34, 124, 214) which forms part of the apparatus that is used to hold the gemstone during polishing and which is in heat exchange relationship with the gemstone held by the apparatus.

Abstract: A holding device for holding an optical element to be ground is arranged such that pressure applied to a receiving face of the optical element on the holder base is made different in the radial direction in order to eliminate deformation, positional deviation or inclination of the optical element due to grinding resistances during grinding or due to high-pressure grinding. An elastic member is employed as an elastic member, or a receiving member capable of absorbing the positional deviation, the inclination, or the like of the optical element during grinding thereof is used.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for polishing the end face of an optical fiber encapsulated within a ferrule portion of a fiber optic connector device which terminates the optical fiber. The end of the optical fiber projects from the ferrule portion. A mounting plate has a forward surface and a receptacle for mounting the connector device, with the end of the optical fiber projecting from the forward surface, to permit the end face to be polished by moving the mounting plate over an appropriate polishing surface. A polishing plate forms a substrate having a recess in a forward surface thereof. A polishing film is adhered to the substrate, spanning the recess, to define an air space beneath the film in the recess.