Abstract: An optical fiber polishing fixture assembly comprises a fixture base and a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly has first and second base portions, a lever, and a biasing member. Each of the first and second base portions has an inner facing side with a slot and an inner facing surface. The slots are adapted to receive bars on opposing sides of a fiber optic connector and cable assembly. The lever has a first end positioned between the inner facing surfaces and a second end extending outward therefrom. The clamping assembly has a locked position, when the first and second base portions are biased toward one another by the biasing member, and an unlocked position, when the lever overcomes a biasing force of the biasing member and separates the first and second base portions.

Abstract: A holder for sharpening and faceting includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and an opening formed transversely through the body between the first end and the second end. The opening has a tool support surface. An adjustable clamping component has a rotatably adjustable fastening plate positioned within the opening, where the fastening plate has a top surface and a tool engaging surface to hold the tool against the tool support surface and a plurality of predefined plate end openings. A plurality of roller members are disposed within a longitudinal raceway formed in a lower portion of the body below the opening. The roller members are aligned to roll parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body and the axis of rotation of the roller members is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An arrow preparation system preferably includes a lengthwise base, at least two arrow supports and a grinding member. The lengthwise base preferably includes a pair opposing rails for slidably retaining the at least two arrow supports and the grinding member. Each arrow support preferably includes a support slidable base, a pair of roller bearings, an anchor pin and a knurled nut. The knurled nut is secured to anchor pin and threadably retained in the support slidable base. The pair of roller bearings are rotatably retained on a top of the support slidable base to support an arrow shaft. The grinding member preferably includes a slidable grinding base, the anchor pin and the knurled nut. The slidable grinding base includes a vertical grinding face. A piece of self-sticking sandpaper is applied to the vertical grinding face. The knurled nut and anchor pin and threadably retained in the slidable grinding base.

Abstract: A tool for placing a shim between a housing and a component biased towards the housing is provided. The tool can include a handle and a pair of spaced-apart tongs extending outwardly from the handle. In addition, a shim support surface can be located between the pair of spaced-apart tongs. The spaced-apart tongs and the shim support surface can be dimensioned for a shim to nest between the tongs on the shim support surface.

Abstract: The device is a U-shaped housing comprising slidable platform embodiments providing defined and directed platform movements toward the task of shaping a rotating workpiece substantially at 90 degrees and 180 degrees to the axis of rotation. The device provides for sliding surface planes configured to accept abrasive materials and implements at predetermined angles for the purpose of trimming imperfections and truing model car wheels and axles. As an alternative to more complex machine shop equipment, the child, applying sandpaper to the platform surfaces and a triangular file or rectangular file on platform insets is enabled to effectively direct an abrasive surface which is configured at 90 degrees and 180 degrees to the axis of rotation for the purpose of truing the model car wheel and axle. To further enhance the child's participation, the workpieces can effectively be manually rotated in the slidable platform abrasion workstation device.

Abstract: A tile cutting table device featuring a platform with foldable legs; four side panels pivotally attached to side edges of the platform, the side panels can pivot between a down position and an up position forming an enclosure around the top surface of the platform; a water inlet hole for fluidly connecting a water source to the device; a drainage hole disposed in the platform; a perforated tile cutting plate disposed on the top surface of the platform; a clamp bar positioned over the tile cutting plate, the clamp bar functions to clamp down on a tile to hold the tile in place during cutting procedures, the clamp bar is connected to a foot pedal which functions to move the clamp bar between an up position and a down position, wherein the clamp bar is biased in the up position caused by compression springs.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a base to support the mount. The base further includes a dispenser portion. The polishing apparatus further includes a polishing strip dispensable by the dispensing portion of the base. The polishing strip has a portion thereof extending through a passageway formed in the mount, where a first surface of the polishing strip is disposed proximate to an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount. In an exemplary aspect, the polishing strip comprises one or more polishing media disposed on a backing material.

Abstract: A grinding jig set comprising a combination of several jig units and a method for grinding a number of objects are provided. The method comprises a series of steps from arranging the objects to be ground on a grinding jig (a master plate) through removing the ground objects from the grinding jig after completion of grinding process, smoothly and precisely without damaging a number of the objects to be ground and without altering the arrangement pattern of the objects to be ground from the start through the end of the series of steps. The jig set for grinding comprises a set of jig units used for a series of processing from allocation of objects to be ground on a grinding jig through removing the ground objects from the grinding jig after the grinding operation.

Abstract: A ferrule holder assembly for an optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus comprises a ferrule holder board supported to be moved upward and downward in parallel with a grinding board of the optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus, a ferrule sleeve provided at the ferrule holder board for receiving and supporting an optical fiber ferrule while putting the tip at the grinding board, an adapter for retaining the optical fiber ferrule or a connector for supporting the optical fiber ferrule in a state where the optical fiber ferrule is inserted into the ferrule sleeve, and an urging unit for urging the adapter in a direction opposite to the grinding board from the ferrule holder board.

Abstract: A magnetic tape or magnetized tape is affixed to one side of a sheet-like workpiece, for example, the front surface of a semiconductor wafer. A substrate has a support area, which is at least partially formed of a porous material and is at least partially magnetized or magnetic.

Abstract: A ferrule holder assembly for an optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus comprises a ferrule holder board supported to be moved upward and downward in parallel with a grinding board of the optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus, a ferrule sleeve provided at the ferrule holder board for receiving and supporting an optical fiber ferrule while putting the tip at the grinding board, an adapter for retaining the optical fiber ferrule or a connector for supporting the optical fiber ferrule in a state where the optical fiber ferrule is inserted into the ferrule sleeve, and an urging unit for urging the adapter in a direction opposite to the grinding board from the ferrule holder board.

Abstract: A grinding jig for shaping generic recoil pads to custom fit the butt end of a gunstock. The jig includes an upright and a recoil pad mounting arm that function as an angle-capturing device. The upright and pad mounting arm are adjusted so that they fit flush against the butt and top or toe portions of the gunstock. The pad is then mounted in an upside down position on the pad mounting arm. The jig, with attached recoil pad, is then manually manipulated to bear against a vertically disposed sanding or grinding instrument.

Abstract: An angle-measurement assist device suitable for a visual inspection to determine a blade angle of a dental scaler is provided with a holder having a flat face thereof adapted to be in contact with a bladed portion of the scaler, a permanent magnet mounted to the holder, and first, second and third pins projecting from the holder in the directions which are perpendicular to one another, whereby an operator is permitted to make a visual inspection to determine whether the scaler is sharpened to have a target blade angle on the basis of an extending direction of the first pin, with the assist device magnetically retained on the scaler.

Abstract: A jig for producing optical parts comprises a base stand for stacking ten individuals of fiber coil reels around which optical fibers are wound in a predetermined number of turns respectively, and array-holding mechanisms provided on a circumferential surface of the base stand, for downwardly exposing respective end surfaces of arrays secured to ends of the plurality of optical fibers led from the respective stacked fiber coil reels. Accordingly, it is possible to highly accurately polish the end surfaces of the array members secured to the ends of the optical fibers led from the plurality of reels respectively. It is possible to eliminate almost all dispersion in polishing accuracy among the array members, and it is possible to produce the optical parts highly accurately with a good yield.

Abstract: Aspects for supporting a package and a device coupled to the package at a device frontside during package removal are described. In an exemplary aspect, a support structure includes a support frame supporting the package substantially near end portions of the package, and multi-layer support material provided within the support frame, wherein breakage of the package during grinding of the package at its backside is reduced. The multi-layer support material further includes a hard wax layer substantially covering the device, an epoxy glue layer substantially covering the hard wax layer, and a soft wax layer substantially covering the epoxy glue layer and substantially filling remaining space within the support frame.

Abstract: A hand tool for holding a spinning disc while the circumference of the disc is being ground is noteworthy for its ability to accommodate disks of various thicknesses. The disc is gripped between two resilient grippers that rotate with the disc. The grippers are mounted for rotation to the jaws of the tool. The jaws slide open and closed on two spaced parallel guide pins that are parallel to the axes of rotation of the grippers. This assures that as the jaws are opened or closed to accommodate discs of different thicknesses, the axes of the grippers remain colinear.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a semiconductor chip during a polishing process can be made to also hold the chip while the chip is inspected by a scanning electron microscope. In this manner, the polishing of the chip may be inspected and monitored without removing the chip from the polishing fixture. This allows polishing to be resumed, if necessary, with more precision. This results because the position of the chip with respect to the polishing fixture has not been altered by removing and then resecuring the chip as would be otherwise necessary for microscopic inspection of the chip.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a powered grinding tool having a driven grinding wheel has a pivotally mounting part on a body thereof, and a drill bit holder engageable with the mounting part in either of two orientations for sharpening a tip of a drill bit clamped in a set position in the drill bit holder at the grinding wheel, the engagement being completed when the drill bit engages on a stop bar at the front of the mounting part. Also disclosed is a setting arrangement for setting the drill bit in its holder including stop means for engagement by the drill tip upon longitudinal setting of the drill bit, and drill rotation setting means slidable relative to the stop means for rotational setting of the drill bit. A powered grinding tool having the features of the adapter formed as part thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for preparing an optical fiber end-face includes a station having a base with a fiber bender and a scribe for cleaving a fiber. The base may include a polishing surface and a well that serves as a fiber shard collector. A cleaver door may be attached to the base to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position covering the shard collector and may include a mount for releasably attaching a fiber handling tool or puck. The puck includes a body, a latch attached by a hinge to the body, and a face comprising a plate pivotally attached to an end of the body and having a fiber port extending through the plate. The body of the puck includes a nest for receiving a fiber holder for securing a fiber with an end of the fiber extending through the port of the face. The nest includes a reference stop and a means for urging the fiber holder against the reference stop when the latch is rotated to a closed position covering the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding a shank of a drill bit includes a base and several movable jaws supported by the base, that are movable toward each other and away from each other. A support ring is rotatably secured to the base, which has a central opening that encircles the movable jaws. A laterally adjustable grinding wheel support is secured to the support ring. Incremental rotation of the support ring results in incremental orbital movement of the grinding wheel support relative to the movable jaws. Lateral adjustment of the grinding wheel support moves the grinding wheel support toward and away from the movable jaws.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a semiconductor die against an abrasive media for the purpose of thinning the die is described. The fixture provides means for aligning the back of the die to a reference plane that is coplanar with the plane of the abrasive and is in contact with the abrasive media during the thinning process.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a semiconductor chip during a polishing process can be made to also hold the chip while the chip is inspected by a scanning electron microscope. In this manner, the polishing of the chip may be inspected and monitored without removing the chip from the polishing fixture. This allows polishing to be resumed, if necessary, with more precision. This results because the position of the chip with respect to the polishing fixture has not been altered by removing and then resecuring the chip as would be otherwise necessary for microscopic inspection of the chip.

Abstract: A carrier carrying device (CCD) for holding a workpiece carrier includes a lower portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion. A plurality of shoulder screws are employed to couple the upper and lower portions together; the shoulder screws restrict translational movement of the upper portion to one direction relative to the lower portion. The upper portion includes a flange having a plurality of slots configured to receive a like plurality of engagement members located on the workpiece carrier. A number of springs located between the upper and lower portions cause the flange to engage and secure the engagement members to the CCD. The shoulder screws facilitate alignment of the CCD relative to the workpiece carrier during installation of the CCD.

Abstract: A hand tool for polishing the tip of a fiber optic terminal. The tool includes a base having a central opening that receives a collet through which the fiber optic terminal extends. The fiber optic terminal is gripped by the collet as a collet spring force is exerted on the collet. An axial force is applied to the collet as the base rests on a polishing surface, the force being established by a piston spring that maintains the tip of the fiber optic terminal in contact with the polishing surface, whereby the tip of the fiber optic terminal may be polished.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided for holding at least one fiber optic connector ferrule in an upright position while allowing the face portion the ferrules to be held firmly against a planar sheet of ferrule polishing paper. The apparatus can be manually maneuvered over said polishing paper thereby polishing the face portion of the ferrules inserted therein. The polishing apparatus includes a disc having a polishing surface and an upper surface opposite said polishing surface. A plurality of ferrule receiving apertures are formed in the disc for receiving various connector ferrules. Support skirts surround each aperture, extending upward from said upper surface. The ferrule support skirts define internal circular bores communicating with the polishing surface such that fiber optic connector ferrules may be inserted into the bores with the face portion of said ferrules extending beyond said polishing surface.

Abstract: A method for polishing a gemstone includes providing a polishing surface (11), mounting the gemstone in a holder (6) of a clamp (1), and choosing a reference plane (33) so that it corresponds to the polishing surface. Then the facet polishing depth is set by bringing the gemstone into a position with respect to the reference plane (33) which the gemstone will occupy after completion of polishing the facet. At the moment when the clamp occupies a same position with respect to the polishing surface as the clamp previously occupied with respect to the reference plane, polishing is stopped.

Abstract: A device for preparing an optical fiber for interconnection includes means for grasping the optical fiber at a first location along the optical fiber, means for scribing and breaking the optical fiber a first select distance from the first location, the means for scribing and breaking including guides for supporting and sliding the means for grasping along the guides in fixed relationship to the means for scribing and breaking, and means for polishing the optical fiber as broken, the means for polishing being connected to the means for breaking. The device also includes a polishing surface fixedly connected to the means for grasping. The polishing surface supports the means for grasping at a second select distance from the first location, the second select distance being shorter than the first select distance. The optical fiber is linearly moveable with respect to the polishing surface.

Abstract: A fixture of disc-like form for holding connector mounted optical fiber ferrules. When the connector is attached to the fixture, the ends of the ferrule and fiber extend slightly beyond the plane of the bottom surface of the fixture so that the end surfaces may be polished by movement of the fixture over a sheet of polishing paper. The ferrule, and consequently the fiber, are rotationally locked to the fixture to prevent relative movement therebetween during the polishing operation by an element removably positionable in cooperative engagement with the disc. The element is rotationally locked to both the disc and the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A polishing fixture (20) having nests (48) for releasably holding optical fiber connectors during polishing, inclined beams (44a) being deflectable to narrow the nests (48) and hold optical fiber connectors received in the nests (48), and a force transmitting body (26) avoiding jamming against the inclined beams (44a) by being moveable beside each of the beams (44a) in a direction that unopposes the direction toward which deflected portions of the inclined beams (44a) point.

Abstract: A polishing fixture (20) for use with a polishing machine comprises a plurality of clamping assemblies (41) (22). The fixture (20) includes a connector holder plate (28) which has a perimeter edge (30). A plurality of slots (42) obliquely extend inwardly from the perimeter edge (30) through the plate (28). A force transmitting body (26) having an internal rim (32) is positioned around the perimeter edge (30) of the connector holder plate (28) so as to provide a camming action against convex cam surfaces (52). The camming action of the internal rim (32) of the force transmitting body (26) and the convex cam surface (52) on the perimeter (30) of the connector holder plate (28) deflect a corresponding beam (44) inwardly to clamp a connector (49) positioned in a corresponding one of the camping assemblies (41).

Abstract: An adapter (11) is of channel shape, having longitudinal projections (25) at its respective sides for engagement with undercut grooves (24) in a face of a casing of a powered grinding tool (10) with which the adapter is intended to be fitted to sharpened chisels or other planar blades, in use, by means of a grinding wheel (20) of the tool. The adapter has an angularly adjustable guide plate (63) which carrier a slidable plate (70) having magnetic means (71a) for holding an attracted blade of an implement to be sharpened, the angle of the guide plate (63) causing the blade to be correctly sharpened by the wheel (20), in use, as the plate (70) is reciprocated across the wheel with the blade held correctly thereon.

Abstract: A powered grinding tool (10) comprising a casing (16) in which is an electric motor (40) which drives a shaft (39) on which is carried a grinding wheel (20) at a work station. The tool casing has undercut slots (24) at opposite sides of its front face for automatic vertical sliding engagement with a selected one of a number of adapters (11-13), each adapter providing a location which, in use, is disposed relative to the grinding wheel so that there is correct positioning between part of an implement that said location and the grinding wheel, for said part to be worked by the wheel. The casing can have the slots (24) on at least one other of its faces to store adapters when they are not in use.

Abstract: An adapter (12) is of channel shape having longitudinal projections (25) at its respective sides for engagement with undercut grooves (24) in a face of a casing of a powered grinding tool (10) with which the adapter is intended to be fitter to sharpen high speed drill fits, in use, by means of a grinding wheel (20) of the tool. The adapter has a rearwardly directed head (76) at its top, the head having a rotatable dial (85) mounted therein which is provided with a multiplicity of differently sized drill bit receiving openings (87), so that, in use, by angularly moving the dial, the opening for a particular size of drill bit can be brought to a location where the drill bit can be inserted in the hole and correctly worked by the grinding wheel, when the adapted is fitted to the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping and holding glass during a glass grinding process. The glass gripping and holding apparatus includes an elongated top shank and an elongated bottom shank pivotally connected, with the top shank being inclined toward the bottom shank. Both shanks each have a respective glass-gripping end portion that oppose one another in generally parallel disposition when gripping a piece of glass. A spring operatively connects the shanks toward each other, biasing the glass-gripping end portions of the shanks toward each other. A generally circular boss is located on the bottom shank to facilitate mobility of the apparatus across a table surface of a glass grinder.

Abstract: A new and improved blade sharpening angle guide for aligning and holding a knife blade or the like at a proper angle to a sharpening stone for manual sharpening of the cutting edge, the blade sharpening angle guide comprising: an elongated curved block having a longitudinal slot therethrough wherein a knife blade or the like may be releasedly held with the blade cutting edge extending a distance outside the slot whereby controlling the angle of the blade to a sharpening stone when the blade and block combination are drawn across the sharpening stone.