Abstract: A harvesting system has a climbing unit with a body driven by traction wheels, a control unit, an articulated arm with a cutting implement at an extremity, a video camera focused on the cutting implement, and a computerized portable control station having a display and a user interface with inputs operable to control driving the traction wheels of the climbing unit, the articulation of the articulated arm, and the cutting implement. Video streamed in real time from the video camera is displayed on the display screen, and a user viewing the video display operates the inputs to position the cutting implement to cut a stem of a fruit or nut in the tree.

Abstract: A processing method for a bearing is capable of shortening a lead time without the need for carrying out super finishing (mirror grinding). A component of a bearing is finished while chucking the component by a chucking device. Hardened steel cutting and grinding are carried out while chucking the component without releasing the chucking by the chucking device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sharpening a cutting tool, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In accordance with some embodiments, a flexible abrasive disk is adapted for rotation about a central axis at a selected rotational velocity. Centrifugal forces imparted to the disk during rotation urge the disk to a neutral position in which an outer peripheral portion of the disk is extended toward a selected plane. A housing adjacent the flexible disk has a guide slot with a guide surface at a selected bevel angle with respect to the selected plane. The guide surface is adapted to facilitate presentation of a cutting tool in contacting engagement against the disk. The cutting tool is presented at the selected bevel angle to induce curvilinear displacement of the flexible disk during sharpening of a cutting edge that extends along a side of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A portable sharpening apparatus is described. The sharpening apparatus includes a body portion and a cavity formed in the body portion for receiving an object to be sharpened. A rotatable abrasive drum capable of sharpening and having an axis of rotation is provided and the abrasive drum is located in the body portion. The apparatus further comprises a motor arranged to drive the abrasive drum and a mouth communicating with the abrasive drum and arranged in the body portion so as to direct an object to be sharpened towards the abrasive drum, wherein the mouth has a supporting means for locating an object to be sharpened at the abrasive drum, the supporting means being such that, when in use, an object to be sharpened is orientated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the abrasive drum.

Abstract: A method and device for setting a predetermined radial gap width for rotor blades arranged in a housing of a turbomachine is provided. The method includes removing a housing part and at least partially exposing the rotor blades which are to be machined, arranging a grinding device in the region of a rotor blade which is to be machined such that the tip of the rotor blade is machined using a grinding disk of the grinding device, screening off the machining region by arranging a screening device which is formed so as to counter a release of grinding dust from the screen off machining region, providing a suction extraction such that it extracts grinding dust from the screened-off machining region and grinding the tip of the rotor blade in situ producing the radial gap width.

Abstract: A contouring sanding device includes a support plate, a sanding pad covered by an abrasive material (e.g. sand paper), and a pressure dispersal system allowing the sanding pad to automatically conform to the contours of the surface of the object being sanded. The sanding device also includes either a handle or a power tool attachment piece.

Abstract: A two part retaining ring is described. An rigid upper portion has an annular recess along its inner diameter. An annular wearable lower portion has an inner diameter, an annular extension defined by the inner diameter and a vertical wall that is perpendicular to a surface of the second portion and opposite to the inner diameter. The annular extension fits into the annular recess of the annular first portion. A bonding material is on the vertical wall of the annular second portion.

Abstract: A chamfering tool adapted to mount on a handheld grinder, the grinder having a guard and the grinder having a grinding face. The chamfering tool includes a fixed mount, to be attached to the guard on the handheld grinder. A moveable mount is attached to the fixed mount. A first guide face is attached to the fixed mount and a second guide face is attached to the moveable mount. The guide face defines a space there between. The space being disposed such that the grinding face of the handheld grinder contacts a work piece held against at least one of the first guide face or the second guide face. An adjustment member is fixed to one of the fixed mount or the moveable mount. The adjustment member hold the moveable guide mount in a user selected position. The adjustment member are adjustable to selectively vary a width of the space between the first guide face and the second guide face.

Abstract: A brush gate accessory for a faceting machine splash pan including a mounting bracket having an arcuate cross-member interconnecting first and second attachment arms, each of the first and second attachment arms defining a clip about their free for retaining the brush gate in place over a sidewall of a splash pan, and first and second opposing brushes removably attached to the first and second attachment arms, respectively, the brushes together substantially filling a space defined between the arms from the cross-member to the free ends of the arms.

Abstract: A brush gate accessory for a faceting machine splash pan including a mounting bracket having an arcuate cross-member interconnecting first and second attachment arms, each of the first and second attachment arms defining a clip about their free for retaining the brush gate in place over a sidewall of a splash pan, and first and second opposing brushes removably attached to the first and second attachment arms, respectively, the brushes together substantially filling a space defined between the arms from the cross-member to the free ends of the arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least intermittent metal-cutting machining of a support face of a bearing seat (5) of a concentrically guided shaft (3) with the bearing (4) dismantled is proposed, having at least one cutting tool (1) that is rotationally movable, in particular on a shaft (3) slidingly supported by bearing shells (4), such as a crankshaft of a large two-cycle diesel motor, in the gap created between the bearing seat (5) and a bearing journal (3) received in the bearing seat by dismantling of the bearing (4).

Abstract: A universal cutting tool for use on the arm of a robot, the universal cutting tool comprising: a cutter head comprising a housing adapted for attachment to the arm of a robot, an electric motor secured to the housing and comprising a drive shaft, and a grinding wheel connected to the drive shaft; a power supply; and control electronics for operating the electric motor, the control electronics connecting the power supply to the motor; wherein the control electronics are adapted to monitor the level of current drawn by the electric motor and to monitor the speed of rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A two part retaining ring is described. An rigid upper portion has an annular recess along its inner diameter. An annular wearable lower portion has an inner diameter, an annular extension defined by the inner diameter and a vertical wall that is perpendicular to a surface of the second portion and opposite to the inner diameter. The annular extension fits into the annular recess of the annular first portion. A bonding material is on the vertical wall of the annular second portion.

Abstract: To provide a centerless grinding method which facilitates a tooling change and enables automation. A blade 11 is disposed slidable along a first straight line 101, i.e., Y axis, a grinding wheel 7 is disposed slidable along a second straight line 102, i.e., X axis, and a regulating wheel 9 is disposed slidable along a third straight line 103 intersecting with the second straight line at an angle ?2. At a tooling change, then, the blade is moved in a negative direction of the Y axis with an increase in diameter of a workpiece, the grinding wheel is moved in a negative direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece, and the regulating wheel is moved in a positive direction of the Y axis and also in a positive direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece. With this, angles ? and ?, which a contact angular position reference line S makes with line segments OB and OR, are made always constant.

Abstract: In a swivel device, a swivel head provided with a plurality of tool spindles thereon is mounted on a support base to be turnable about a swivel shaft being upright on the support base. An annular space portion is formed between the support base and the swivel head in coaxial relation with the swivel shaft. The tool spindles each mounting a grinding wheel are arranged on the swivel head to extends in a horizontal plane which crosses the annular space portion at about a mid position in the vertical direction of the annular space portion. A direct drive motor is built in the annular space portion so that a driving center of the direct drive motor is at almost the same height as the horizontal plane including the axes of the grinding wheels. Thus, the swivel device can lower the positions of the rotational axes of the grinding wheels and is rigid against inclination caused by grinding resistance acting on the grinding wheels.

Abstract: A shaft adapter for removably mounting to the output or drive shaft of a grinding machine is disclosed. The shaft adapter is a three-component device which includes a collar portion, a compressible drive sleeve and an extension member. The extension member has a free-end adapted to matingly engage with a particular grinding cup. When the shaft adapted is mounted on the drive shaft, the compressible drive sleeve is compressed and elastically deformed between the corresponding, engaging ends of the collar portion and extension member so as to create a secure driving force between the rotating drive shaft of the grinding machine and the shaft adapter so that they rotate together as a unit when the grinding machine is in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking in new pad conditioning disks for use in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system that polishes a semiconductor wafer by pressing the semiconductor wafer against a moving polishing pad. The apparatus comprises a break-in head that is removably attached to a drive shaft to which a polishing head that holds the semiconductor wafer is normally attached. The break-in head holds multiple pad conditioning disks and presses the plurality of pad conditioning disks against the moving polishing pad. The break-in head comprises a drive mechanism for rotating the multiple pad conditioning disks. The drive mechanism is coupled to the drive shaft and rotates the multiple pad conditioning disks by translating a rotating motion of the drive shaft into rotating motions of the multiple pad conditioning disks.

Abstract: A grinding method is provided which can grind a processing surface of a workpiece by a blast processing without use of specific abrasives to obtain a glossy surface such as a mirror surface. Abrasives together with compresses fluid are injected to the processing surface of the workpiece with an incident angle ? to meet the condition shown in the following equation: 0<V·sin ??½·VEquation 1; V=speed of the abrasive in an injection direction ?=incident angle of the abrasive to the processing surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter for grinding machine comprising: a grinding shaft sleeve of cylindrical shape whose one end is open and having at least one through hole formed at a selected position of an outer circumference; a grinding shaft rotatably and movably fitted in the grinding shaft sleeve, the grinding shaft including at least one guide groove having a variable surface curvature with respect to a shaft direction and formed at a position corresponding to the through hole, the grinding roller being installed at one end of the grinding shaft and a rotational force generating unit being installed at the other end of the grinding shaft; a grinding shaft stroke unit whose one end is coupled to the through hole of the grinding shaft sleeve and the other end is fitted in the guide groove, for stroking the grinding shaft with the grinding shaft sleeve; a sealing means interposed between an outer circumference of the grinding shaft and the grinding shaft sleeve, for preventing leakage of oil; and a sealing cover cou

Abstract: A sharpening attachment for a powered rotary hand tool of the type which has an output shaft with a tool bit holder that extends from a housing is disclosed. The sharpening attachment is mounted on the housing and comprises a body portion with an interior opening through which a sharpening bit held by the tool bit holder can pass, with the sharpening bit being exposed for engaging a surface of a tool. The attachment has a jaw portion attached to the body portion which extends forwardly thereof and also has a support surface for holding the tool member at a predetermined angle relative to the sharpening bit, and an extension attached to the body portion and extending forwardly thereof at least to a point that includes a major portion of the exposed portion of the sharpening bit for the purpose of providing a protective guard.

Abstract: A retaining ring to be fitted on a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for semiconductor wafers is disclosed, the retaining ring being of integral design made of a plastic material, wherein the retaining ring forms on a first front side thereof a bearing surface for supporting the retaining ring on a polishing surface of the polishing apparatus, and includes on the side thereof lying opposite the first front side thereof in axial direction fitting elements for fitting the retaining ring on the polishing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus mounted to a machine for positioning a device near a workpiece during a machining operation, during which the workpiece is movable relative to a machining tool. The apparatus comprises an arm coupled to the machining tool and movable relative thereto to mimic movement of the workpiece relative to the machining tool. The arm includes a shoe for contacting the workpiece during the machining operation. The apparatus further comprises a linear actuator coupled to the arm for moving the arm between a retracted position and an engaged position. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a coolant nozzle assembly. According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a workpiece support shoe. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an in-process gauge assembly.

Abstract: A retaining ring to be fitted on a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for semiconductor wafers is disclosed, the retaining ring being of integral design made of a plastic material, wherein the retaining ring forms on a first front side thereof a bearing surface for supporting the retaining ring on a polishing surface of the polishing apparatus, and includes on the side thereof lying opposite the first front side thereof in axial direction fitting elements for fitting the retaining ring on the polishing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for grinding, polishing, buffing, scaling, and grooving a finish onto and into a workpiece. This method provides the versatility of a hand held type angle grinder to be used while being supported frog, a clamping device. Also provided is a means for supporting a hand held type angle grinder from a clamping device such as a tool post, a tool post tool holder, and a bench vice.

Abstract: A power tool (2) includes a motor (22) pivotally mounted within the housing of the tool. The tool is able to accept any one of a plurality of attachment members (44, 46, 48).

Abstract: A method and jointing attachment 10 for jointing the inserted tooth carbide heads 105 on the top 102 and bottom 103 rotary cutter heads of a thickness planer 100 having a movable carriage 104 that supports the bottom cutter head 103 and is provided with a laterally translatable grinding element 108 wherein the jointing attachment 10 includes an auxiliary motor member 40 that is mounted in a pivoted free floating fashion relative to the movable carriage 104 of the thickness planer 100 and supported by a drive belt member 50 that is attached to a selected one of the rotary cutter heads 102 103 and a pulley reel 43 mounted on the output shaft 42 of the auxiliary motor member 40 for imparting a counterclockwise rotation of the selected cutter head 102 103 to joint the inserted tooth carbide heads 105 through engagement with the grinding element 108.

Abstract: A sharpening attachment for a powered rotary hand tool of the type which has an output shaft with a tool bit holder that extends from a housing is disclosed. The sharpening attachment is mounted on the housing and comprises a body portion with an interior opening through which a sharpening bit held by the tool bit holder can pass, with the sharpening bit being exposed for engaging a surface of a tool. The attachment has a jaw portion attached to the body portion which extends forwardly thereof and also has a support surface for holding the tool member at a predetermined angle relative to the sharpening bit, and an extension attached to the body portion and extending forwardly thereof at least to a point that includes a major portion of the exposed portion of the sharpening bit for the purpose of providing a protective guard.

Abstract: An pneumatic apparatus that attaches to pneumatic sanding tools that when In use provides a directed stream of air that creates a cushion of air between the sand paper and the work surface helping to keep the sand paper, the work surface and the worker clean from dust and debris.

Abstract: A sanding block attachment for a jig saw including a block portion adapted for securement to the reciprocating blade of the jig saw. The block portion has a generally rectangular configuration. The block portion is defined by a long front face, a long rear face, a short top face, a short bottom face, and long opposed side faces. A sheet of sandpaper is removably secured to the long front face of the block portion.

Abstract: A polishing chip has its outer shape substantially the same as that of a semiconductor device, and is arranged to be mounted and dismounted to and from a semiconductor-device receiving socket (11) installed in a testing apparatus for evaluation of semiconductor devices. Distal end portions (15b) of contact pins (15) of the socket are brought in contact with an abrasive layer (22) formed in distal end portions of the polishing chip mounted to the socket, whereby distal ends of the contact pins are polished to remove foreign substances therefrom.

Abstract: Accessories for an angle grinder include a tool comprising a rotary disk having releasably attached to its surface, an annular attachment having a cutting or abrading, (“shaping”), surface, and rest means in a rest zone for supporting the grinder on a surface to be shaped. The rest means may be a non-rotating nose beneath the grinder; a rubbing contact mounted on a flat tool or simply part of the surface of a convex tool. Tilting the grinder about the rest means gives effective control of the tool. Steeper tilts cause the cutting or abrading surface to bite more deeply into the surface to be shaped. The grinder is preferably stroked toward the user with the cutting or abrading zone trailing. Most disks are perforated. Work to be shaped can be seen through the spinning disk during use. The annular attachment can have a variety of cutting or abrading surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an accessory mounted on a cutting device including two mutually parallel guide bars. The accessory includes a first channel formed in the accessory for receiving one of the two mutually parallel guide bars. A second channel is formed to receive the other of the two mutually parallel guide bars in such manner that the second guide bar is freely translatable in the second channel. An affixation device is firmly affixes the accessory to one of two mutually parallel guide bars.

Abstract: A brake pad operates to both resurface the braking surface of a rotor, and then automatically continue functioning as a normal brake pad. The rotor resurfacing is accomplished on the vehicle, employing all the components of a vehicle brake assembly, creating a perfect fit of the rotor and brake pad surfaces. In one embodiment, the brake pad includes a backing plate, a first plane of frictional material on the backing plate, and a second plane of frictional material mounted over the first plane of frictional material. The second plane of frictional material includes abrasive strips, each of the strips being separated from an adjacent one of the strips by a region of the first plane of frictional material. Preferably, the second plane of frictional material removes material from a rotor, when the brake pad is in frictional engagement with the rotor.

Abstract: An adapter apparatus for use with a power operated surface preparation device comprising an upper cap positioned on a first end of a stainless steel spring and a lower cap positioned on a second end of the spring. The center of the upper cap has a threaded opening and the center of the lower cap has a threaded opening wherein a shaft of the power tool is fastened to the upper cap and a shaft of a disk is fastened to the center of the lower cap. The power device rotates at speeds up to 10,000 RPMs and the disk on the lower end adapter of the apparatus maintains close contact with a work surface while an operator exerts minimum force only to guide the power device from area to area and not to maintain the disk touching the work surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing lateral movement of a movable brake member of a brake assembly when in engagement with a rotatable brake member having a braking surface. The method includes creating a plurality of grooves in the braking surface. Each groove is parallel to adjacent grooves so that peaks are formed on a movable brake member which mirror the plurality of grooves. The peaks track within the grooves to prevent lateral movement of the movable brake member with respect to the braking surface. The apparatus includes a brake resurfacer for resurfacing a braking surface of a vehicle brake assembly while the braking surface is mounted to a vehicle. The resurfacer includes a substrate figured for mounting in the brake assembly in place of a movable brake member. The substrate supports cutting teeth, tines or an abrasive for removing braking surface material to resurface the braking surface.

Abstract: A belt sander stabilizer for keeps a sander body and the portion of the sander belt that makes contact with the surface being sanded level during operation. The belt sander includes a shield having an upper panel and a pair of lateral sides that downwardly extend from side edges of the upper panel. A pair of support arms are pivotally coupled to the lateral sides and are adapted for engaging a surface to be sanded.

Abstract: A grinder attachment for precision grinding with an existing grinding machine having an external housing and a driven shaft rotatable about a grinding machine axis at a predetermined rotational speed when energized includes a driving pulley wheel having a first diameter attachable on the driven shaft for rotation therewith about the machine axis. The attachment to the housing is rigidly attached to the external housing of the grinding machine to substantially prevent any movements of the attachment housing in a three-dimensional space relative to the external housing in the grinding machine. A spindle is rotatably mounted on the attachment housing. A driven pulley wheel is fixedly mounted on a spindle to rotate with the spindle, a grinding abrasive element being mounted on the spindle at a grinding station for rotation therewith. Pulleys are mechanically coupled to cause rotation of the driven pulley when the driving pulley is rotated by the grinding machine.

Abstract: An abrasive block 1 used for scraping wet leaves, snow or ice from a rail R of a railway track in order to enhance traction, is urged onto the rail R by a piston 2 under oil-pressure within a cylinder 3. The pressure is created via a diaphragm 11 which separates the oil in the cylinder 3 from an air-chamber 12. Chamber 12 is supplied with air via a regulator 14, from the air-brake supply system 16 of the train, and has a dump valve 19 for dissipating air-pressure surges. A return spring 20 under the piston 2 is active in retracting the block 1 when air-pressure in the chamber 12 is reduced.

Abstract: A lapping device for lapping an injection molding cylinder seat is provided having a housing that supports a gear system. A drive shaft having a lapping disk secured to one end thereof is mounted for rotation within the housing offset from the central axis thereof. The drive shaft and thus the lapping disk is driven about the central axis by the gearing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing lateral movement of a movable brake member of a brake assembly when in engagement with a rotatable brake member having a braking surface. The method includes creating a plurality of grooves in the braking surface. Each groove is parallel to adjacent grooves so that peaks are formed on a movable brake member which mirror the plurality of grooves. The peaks track within the grooves to prevent lateral movement of the movable brake member with respect to the braking surface. The apparatus includes a brake resurfacer for resurfacing a braking surface of a vehicle brake assembly while the braking surface is mounted to a vehicle. The resurfacer includes a substrate figured for mounting in the brake assembly in place of a movable brake member. The substrate supports cutting teeth, tines or an abrasive for removing braking surface material to resurface the braking surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for linearly displacing a rotatable spindle relative to an object. The apparatus includes a support that is connectable to the spindle such that translation of the spindle relative to the support in a first direction is restrained, a rotatable shaft which is connected to the support such that translation of the shaft relative to the support in the first direction is restrained, and a rotational drive system rotatably connected to the shaft and rotatably connectable to the spindle, to transmit rotational drive from the spindle to the shaft. The apparatus also includes a contact piece eccentrically mounted to the shaft, wherein the contact piece has a contact surface thereon for contact with the object. Rotation of the shaft varies a distance, measured in the first direction, between the support and a portion of the contact surface contacting the object, such that the spindle is linearly displaceable relative to the object.

Abstract: The invention is basically an extruded or injection molded plastic part that is designed to fit on all drill or hand held sanders. The device has a C-shaped bracket of the size and length of an average aerosol can. The C-shaped bracket is adapted such as the aerosol can can be pressed through the opening and snapped in placed within the C-shaped cylindrical structure. In one embodiment of the invention the C-shaped bracket is attached to a rectangular base that is adapted to fit on the top of a hand held electric power sander. The base is either clipped or bolted to the top of the sander. In another embodiment of the invention the C-shaped bracket is attached to a much smaller rectangular base. This rectangular base has an axle running lengthwise through the base that is aligned slightly off center so that when the axle turns the C-shaped bracket will oscillate. The axle is adapted to fit within the chuck of an electric drill.

Abstract: An assembly for converting a conventional drill press into an oscillating spindle sander is disclosed. The oscillating spindle sander assembly is comprised of an auxiliary motor which is adapted to be mounted on a drill press. An eccentric drive is attached to the rotating shaft of the auxiliary motor and is used to drive a push rod in a lateral reciprocating motion. The opposite end of the push rod is attached to one of the spindle spokes of the drill press, and causes it to move in a radially reciprocating motion which induces the drill press spindle, drill chuck and a sanding tool mounted therein, to move up and down in an oscillating motion. The oscillating spindle sander assembly of the invention can be easily disabled and the converted drill press returned to normal operation by removing the push rod from the spindle spoke of the drill press.

Abstract: A removable mounting bracket with an extended sanding foot for attachment to a vibrating or orbital sander which mounts against the platen of a sander to allow for sanding of inside corners and edges.

Abstract: A guide plate for guiding a power hand tool along a guide rail placed on a workpiece, has a guide channel formed to embrace the guide rail and provided with guide surfaces for sliding along lateral surfaces of the guide rail. The guide channel is formed by at least two elongated bridge-type beads arranged at a distance from one another and by recesses located in a plane and aligned with the beads so as to extend on both sides of the beads following immediately from the beads. The guide channel has a greater clearance dimension in relation to a width of the guide rail. The guide surfaces are formed in pairs on two necks which are provided in the guide channel at a separation from each other with a clearance width which is slightly greater than the width of the guide rail.