Abstract: A superfinishing apparatus has an abrasive film feed mechanism for feeding out and winding up an abrasive film (4). The apparatus includes a backup roll (2) for pressing and vibrating the film against a workpiece. A guide member (3) is provided for the film feed mechanism immediately before the backup roll (2). The guide member has two pairs of helical grooves (11, 12) and (13, 14) arranged opposite in turning direction to each other. The helical grooves are different in radius from the center from each other and are provided on both side faces of the guide member. Also, when the film has passed through the helical grooves (11 and 13 or 12 and 14), its traveling path is translated transversely of the guide member.

Abstract: A method for polishing or texturing a magnetic disc, comprises bringing a tape traveled in a predetermined direction and made of fibers having a fineness of not more than 0.1 denier, and a slurry containing polishing grains dispersed therein, into contact with a substrate of the magnetic disc. Such method has an extremely low surface roughness (Ra) and an extremely low maximum projection height (Rp) with an excellent high accuracy, thereby efficiently producing a magnetic recording medium which is free from head crash and errors upon reading and writing of information.

Abstract: An apparatus for continually shifting an endless abrasive belt trained between a drive pulley and an idler wheel. The belt is trained around an idler wheel which is supported by an arm above a continually pivoting platform transverse to the travel direction of travel of the endless belt. The platform is pivotally supported by a fulcrum mechanism at a pivot axis bisecting the platform, and a resilient member urges one side of the platform down while an inflatable and deflatable bladder continually urges the other side of the platform up and down. A tensioning means biases the arm supporting the idler wheel away from the drive pulley to maintain tension on the endless belt between the idler wheel and the drive wheel while the idler wheel is reciprocating. The bladder is continually inflated and deflated per a preselected time period to selectively vary the shifting cycle.

Abstract: A universal shoe assembly is disclosed for a microfinishing machine having a base and a pair of jaw arms mounted to the base. The universal shoe assembly includes a shoe for applying grinding pressure to a surface of a workpiece, universal mounting means for mounting the shoe to one of the jaw arms of the microfinishing machine, and securing means for releasably securing the mounting means to the jaw arm of the microfinishing machine.

Abstract: A workpiece is buffed to a scratch-free mirror finish by contacting the workpiece against a buff while rotating the buff at about 100 to 1,000 rpm and feeding a buffing compound to the buff. The buffing compound is a slurry containing 3 to 20 wt % of abrasive grains with a mean grain size of up to 2 .mu.m in an aqueous fatty acid soap solution.

Abstract: A device for grinding a cylinder surface is provided, the cylinder being one of at least three substantially parallel, axially offset cylinders. The device includes a central body member and at least three supporting elements, each of the supporting elements being associated with a corresponding one of the cylinders, the supporting elements supporting the central body member relative to the cylinders. One or more belt grinder assemblies are provided, each belt grinder assembly including a belt grinder and a device for mounting the belt grinder on the central body member. Each belt grinder includes a contact wheel, an abrasive belt, extending around the contact wheel, and a device for supporting the contact wheel relative to a one of the cylinders to be ground. The supporting device includes a device for adjusting a position of the contact wheel relative to the one of the cylinders to be ground.

Abstract: An apparatus has a polishing head for polishing an object such as a semiconductor wafer by using a polishing tape stretched between two guide rollers. The head can be rotated so as to change the angle of contact between the tape and the object and also undergo a reciprocating motion perpendicular to the direction of supply of the tape. For this purpose, the apparatus includes a first plate attached to the head and a second plate supported parallel to each other and in motion-communicating relationship by means of rods which are attached to the first plate and penetrate the second plate. The second plate is attached to the rotary shaft of a direct drive motor for causing oscillatory angular motion. This rotary shaft is tubular and an inner shaft for causing the oscillatory motion passes slidably therethrough.

Abstract: A floating-type or compliant follower system for use in conjunction with a robotic or automated workpiece finishing apparatus. The follower device in a preferred embodiment cooperates with the tool to create a contact force with the workpiece which can be maintained constant with a high degree of accuracy and with a high responsiveness. The follower device in a preferred embodiment includes a constant-torque rotatable electric motor, such as a servo motor, which torque remains constant even when the motor is held in a stall condition by an external load or is driven backwards by the load. The motor output is drivingly coupled through a rotary-to-linear drive mechanism to a follower which is coupled to a driving tool such as a belt grinder.

Abstract: A universal surface polishing assembly movable along the longitudinal axis of a workpiece including a pair of polishing arms with a surface grinding material affixed to each end of the polishing arms respectively, a regulated cylinder for actuating the polishing arms onto the machine component bearing surface, and a pair of stabilizing plates located directly adjacent the polishing arms for stabilizing the polishing arms during the microfinishing operation. The surface polishing assembly is designed to be adapted to various machines having means for workpiece rotation such as grinders, lathes, mills etc. Many different machine components that require microfinishing of various bearing surfaces can be finished in the present invention due to the manual indexing ability inherent in the slidable polishing assembly.

Abstract: The grinder has a frame (6) movable on rollers (8) on which is fitted a grinding device (18) drivable by a motor (84). In order to simplify the grinder and its application to a roll (4) to be treated, the rollers (8) are designed to lower the frame (6) on a scraper (10) or on a rail (56) of a scraper device (2) associated with the roll (4), which rail replaces the scraper (10). The frame (6) has a supporting roller (14) fitted on an adjustable holder (12) which is laterally supported on a bearer (16) for the scraper (10).

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to grinding apparatus for removing irregularities from and for levelling the working surface of thick, large width rubber belts used to compact paper or (in the case of fabric, preshrink) fibrous webs; and the control of such grinding apparatus. The present invention permits grinding during production use of a belt when the environment near (above) the belt is inimical to visual grinding control by personnel due to high heat and steam. Sensing and control means placed remotely from the working surface of the belt permits an operator to control grinding more precisely than if done visually and without subjecting the operator to dangerously adverse working conditions.

Abstract: A crankshaft is rotated about its central longitudinal axis and abrasive belts are moved along paths substantially perpendicular to the crankshaft such that the abrasive surfaces of the belts grind the crankpin journals while the crankshaft rotates. The belts are guided independently of one another at the point of contact with the crankpin journals along a variable path according to the position of the crankpin journal around the central longitudinal axis of the crankshaft as the crankshaft rotates. Each belt may be guided by a thin, flat blade across which the belt slides, or it may be guided by a freely rotatable roller in substantially frictionless contact with the belt.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for the contouring head assembly of a belt grinding machine that employs multiple, parallel, abrasive grinding belts, and back-up shoes for pressing the belts against the surfaces on a workpiece to be ground. The locking mechanism secures the contouring head assembly to the bed of the grinding machine. The locking mechanism includes a protrusion, such as a ball, that is carried by the contouring head assembly and a pivotable arm with a socket defined near its free end. The pivotable arm is secured to a shaft that is driven by a rotary actuator, that is powered by a hydraulic motor. The socket engages the protrusion to securely support one side of the contouring feed assembly. A hydraulic cylinder forces a tapered plunger against the pivotable arm to enhance the locking action.