Abstract: A sharpening apparatus (16) for a blade-like cutting implement. The sharpening apparatus has an elongate body (18) and a cutting edge extending widthwise across one end of the body (11) at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body (11). The cutting edge is formed by an inclined face formed on one side face of the body. The apparatus includes a cradle (26) for holding a blade-like implement to be sharpened and a mounting body for mounting the cradle (26) relative to a grinding surface. The cradle is mounted on a pair of guide rails (22, 24) for movement along a rectilinear path, the cradle including first and second rail followers slidably connected to a first and second of the guide rails respectively. The cradle (26) includes a seat for locating the blade-like implement at a reselected reference position on the cradle (26) such that the cutting edge of the implement to be sharpened is located parallel to said rectilinear path.

Abstract: A knife sharpener includes a handle and an operation portion in which two grinding members are respectively and pivotably received. An aperture is defined through a top of the operation portion and communicates with the grinding members. Each of the two grinding members has a rod extending radially therefrom so as to be engaged with one of two respective spiral grooves of a shaft rotatably received below the grinding members. A positioning member is removably engaged with the shaft. A width between the two grinding members can be adjusted by rotating the shaft.

Abstract: A blade sharpener comprises a work surface consisting of a single support line. A grinding wheel defines a plane that contains the support line. The grinding wheel is swingable in the grinding wheel plane to a selected position relative to the support line. A blade is supported on the support line in a manner that produces a first cutting surface on the blade cutting edge. The single support line enables mulching blades to be sharpened without having to impart angular motions in space to them as they are fed past the grinding wheel. The grinding wheel is swingable to different positions relative to the support line, thereby enabling the grinding wheel to produce different cutting surfaces on the blades. Swinging of the grinding wheel is achieved by mounting it to a plate that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the grinding wheel plane. A mobile work table having a top plate of finite area is selectively retainable over and removable from the single line support.

Abstract: A blade sharpener comprises a work surface consisting of a single support line. A grinding wheel defines a plane that contains the support line. The grinding wheel is swingable in the grinding wheel plane to a selected position relative to the support line. A blade is supported on the support line in a manner that produces a first cutting surface on the blade cutting edge. The single support line enables mulching blades to be sharpened without having to impart angular motions, in space to them as they are fed past the grinding wheel. The grinding wheel is swingable to different positions relative to the support line, thereby enabling the grinding wheel to produce different cutting surfaces on the blades. Swinging of the grinding wheel is achieved by mounting it to a plate that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the grinding wheel plane. A mobile work table having a top plate of finite area is selectively retainable over and removable from the single line support.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to semiconductor processing operations, and, more particularly, chemical mechanical polishing operations. The present invention is comprised of a method for qualifying new polishing pads used in a polishing tool without the necessity of polishing test wafers.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a cutting edge on surgical needles having at least one abrading device and a needle holding mechanism. The abrading device includes an abrasive member such as a rotatable abrasive belt or grinding wheel. The needle holding mechanism is positionable for selectively engaging an end of at least one needle with the abrading device to provide a cutting edge on the needle.A grinding wheel may be provided for hollow grinding the surgical needles, the grinding wheel including a cylindrical member having a plurality of ridges. The cylindrical member preferably has a super-abrasive coating of diamond or boron nitride particles electroplated thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated honing of elongated straight-edged cutting blades such as those used in the printing and binding industry for the trimming of books or pamphlets and the like, wherein a sharpened blade which has been ground on other equipment is thereafter registered and secured at a predetermined angle upon a moveable blade holder support of the apparatus hereof, which support is then cycled to longitudinally displace so that the blade edge is thereby brought into sequential engagement with progressively finer abrasive surfaces of a longitudinal array of cooperative upper and lower orbitally driven honing heads whereby on a single reciprocated pass therethrough the blade is efficiently finished to a smooth sharp cutting edge. In an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and method hereof it is the honing heads which are longitudinally reciprocated while the blade to be honed is held upon a stationary blade holder support.