Abstract: A cutting machine for the transversal cutting of paper material logs, including: a structure on which are moved the logs; a cutting unit including a blade; at least one sharpening unit with two grinding wheels; a positioning device for positioning the grinding wheels with respect to the blade. The positioning device includes: a primary carriage and two secondary carriages supported by the primary carriage; a sensor for detecting the radius of the blade and configured to stop the primary carriage when the grinding wheels are arranged with the respective axes at a given distance from the axis of the blade. In a second phase of positioning the grinding wheels, the secondary carriages are controlled so as to bring the abrasive side of the wheels into contact with the blade.

Abstract: The method is for profiling blades with a belt grinding profiling machine. The blades are mounted into a vise. A vertical position of the template is adjusted by rotating the rotatable knob. The motor is turned on to rotate the grinding belt over the grinding wheel. The guide wheel engages the underside profile of the template. The guide wheel of the template guides movement of the grinding wheel mounted on the common axle by moving the guide wheel along the underside profile of the template. The grinding belt grinds material off the underside of the blade until a portion of the underside profile of the template is copied to the underside of the blade.

Abstract: A method of sharpening a cutting edge of a knife of a surgical instrument includes manipulating an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument such that first and second jaw members of the end effector assembly are disposed in a spaced-apart position, retaining the first and second jaw members in the spaced-apart position, advancing a knife of the surgical instrument to an extended position wherein the knife extends between the first and second jaw members, retaining the knife in the extended position, and sharpening a cutting edge of the knife.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and a method for sharpening a cutting tool. The system sharpens cutting tools by manipulating the tool, measuring the three dimensional profile of the tool, and then grinding the tool. The apparatus consists of a robot capable of six degrees of motion, a gripping mechanism, a force-torque sensor capable of at least two directions of force and/or torque, a three dimensional scanning subsystem, a loading subsystem, a user interface, an initial orientation scan subsystem, a data processing and robot control subsystem, and at least one grinding system comprising two counter-rotating grinding wheels. The method automates the grinding process so that dull cutting tools can be placed into the loading system, sharpened by the system, and then ejected fully honed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a cutting implement includes a base assembly and first and second clamping members pivotably supported by the base assembly. The clamping members each have an inside surface, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion, where the second inside surface faces and is spaced apart from the first inside surface. The clamping members are adapted to pivot to clamp a cutting implement between the inside surfaces. A clamping assembly attached to the base assembly includes a cam member movably supported by the base assembly, a follower assembly disposed in operational engagement with the cam member and with the proximal end portions of the first and second clamping members. A handle is operatively connected to the cam member, where operating the handle moves the cam member, thereby moving the follower assembly and pivoting the first and second clamping members.

Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has a main drive assembly with an electric motor, and a sharpening assembly with belt support surfaces to provide a routing path for the belt to define first and second belt segments. A first blade guide is configured to position a blade of the cutting tool at a first guide angle to sharpen a cutting edge of the blade against the first belt segment. A second blade guide is configured to position the blade at a second guide angle to sharpen the cutting edge of the blade against the second belt segment. The first and second belt segments may be parallel or non-parallel. As desired, anti-torsion members may be provided to contactingly engage a backing layer of the belt to resist torsional twisting of the belt during sharpening against the first and second belt segments.

Abstract: Device for sharpening blades of cutting-off machines, comprising two grinding wheels (1) each positioned on a corresponding side of a cutting edge (20) of a blade (2) of a cutting machine. The device comprises means adapted for controlling the symmetry of said cutting edge (20), with a sensor (3) placed at a predetermined distance from a corresponding side of the cutting edge (20. The sensor (3) is adapted to detect possible differences (d) between the lengths (n, p) of the two sides of the cutting edge (20). The sensor (3) is connected to a programmable unit (4) that processes the said difference (d) possibly detected by the sensor (3).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sharpening a cutting tool so as to have enhanced cutting performance. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener is provided having a rigid body with a slot extending therein. A knurl roller is disposed within an internal cavity within the rigid body and mounted for rotation about a selected axis adjacent the slot to facilitate a cold forging operation upon a cutting edge of a cutting tool via insertion of the cutting edge into the slot and retraction of the cutting tool across the knurl roller. An abrasive member is affixed to the rigid body to facilitate a sharpening operation upon the cutting edge by advancement of the cutting edge thereacross.

Abstract: The invention relates to finishing metallic and non-metallic surfaces by abrasion techniques. In certain embodiments, the invention pertains to an apparatus configured for finishing a zone on the surface of a bladed article of manufacture, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more channels having a cross-sectional profile including at least one finishing area to finish an operative zone of the article that optimizes a clearance portion of the article, wherein an angle of each finishing area of the cross-sectional profile is substantively the same as an optimal clearance angle of the article, wherein the apparatus is configured to position the operable zone of the article along the angle of the finishing area during sharpening.

Abstract: An embodiment of a suture for use in a surgical procedure applied to tissue comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of retainers arranged along a portion of the elongated body. The retainers substantially yield to motion of the elongated body within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the first end and resist motion of the elongated within the tissue when the elongated body is drawn at the second end. The retainers include an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface extending from a periphery of the elongated body and the lower surface having at least two facets.

Abstract: Conditioning devices for conditioning blades are provided. A conditioning device includes a first rod and a second rod, at least one of the first rod and the second rod rotatable about an axis, the first rod and the second rod oriented to define a blade conditioning zone therebetween, the blade conditioning zone being defined by a blade conditioning angle between the first rod and the second rod. The conditioning device further includes a stationary magnet and a movable magnet. The movable magnet is connected to the one of the first rod and the second rod and rotatable about the axis. The movable magnet has an opposite magnetic orientation relative to the stationary magnet. Rotation of the one of the first rod and the second rod adjusts the blade conditioning angle.

Abstract: An electric sharpener having a pair of abrasive wheel assemblies including energy absorbing hubs mounted a powered drive shaft and further integral flexible radially extending arms affixed to respective outer abrasive rings. A pair of disk abrasives assemblies are also affixed to the powered rotatable shaft and include a pair of flexible metal disks operatively connected to a hub attached to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A blade assembly is provided for use in a wire stripping system, where the blade assembly includes a first blade including a first cutting opening therein, the first opening including a first guide surface on one side of the first opening and a first cutting surface on the opposite side of the first opening, and a second blade including a second cutting opening therein, the second opening including a second guide surface on one side of the second opening and a second cutting surface on the opposite side of the second opening. The blades impart a rotation force on the wire to cause the cutting surfaces to make a depth-controlled circumferential cut in the sheath around the entire wire.

Abstract: A blade processing (e.g., sharpening) device includes two sets of overlapping edge processing rings Inner diameter surfaces of the edge processing rings define a notch suitable for effectively processing a blade with a convex cutting edge profile. Certain types of edge processing rings are movable relative to one another to adjust an edge processing angle of the notch. Certain types of blade processing devices also can also process blades with concave cutting edge profiles. The rings may be contained at least partially within a protective housing. A blade can be processed by inserting a blade through a blade insertion opening in the housing and into the notch while a handle of the blade remains outside the housing. By grasping the handle, the blade can be manually reciprocated within the notch during edge processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bread-knife blade for machine saws, which bread-knife blade (1) blade has teeth (2) with a tooth edge (E), a tooth breast (H) at the front of the tooth, seen in the sawing directing, a tooth back (F) behind the tooth edge (E), and a tooth bottom (B) between the tooth breast of each tooth and the tooth back of next tooth in front thereof, and tooth gaps, wherein a tooth gap (G) is defined as the space between the tooth edges (E) of two subsequent teeth (2), which knife blade has two flat sides (L, R), a right side (R) and a left side (L), when the knife blade is regarded obliquely from above in the sawing directing, wherein said tooth edge (E) consists of a point.

Abstract: A grinder for sharpening the blades of reel mowers automatically to grind the underside of the blade of the reel mower.

Abstract: A knife blade sharpener including two generally circular sharpening members pivotally mounted about a pivot axis and having opposed grinding edges. The grinding edges are located along one side of a notch formed in each of the generally circular sharpening members and can be brought to face one another, adjustably subtending an obtuse angle therebetween. The pivot axis may be established by a screw and a knurled nut enabling the user to tighten the two generally circular sharpening members together at a selected subtended angle for sharpening. A knife blade may be drawn through a wedge shaped gap between the two mutually facing grinding edges, and thereby sharpened. The knife blade sharpener has resilient gripping pads and a holster which facilitates gripping as well as for stowage.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sharpening cutting tools. In accordance with some embodiments, an abrasive medium is presented adjacent a guide housing. The guide housing includes a guide slot to facilitate presentation of a magnetically permeable tool against the abrasive medium. A magnet positioned adjacent the guide slot exerts a biasing force upon the tool that both draws the first tool against a guide surface of the guide slot and draws the tool into the guide slot along the guide surface to hold the tool at a neutral position at which a cutting edge of the first tool applies a contacting force against the abrasive medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sharpening a tool. In accordance with some embodiments, a selected side surface of the tool is placed in contacting engagement against an upper reverse sharpening guide surface that faces an abrasive surface extending along a first plane. The upper reverse sharpening guide surface is aligned along a second plane that intersects the first plane at an acute angle. A tool cutting edge contactingly engages a non-abrasive support surface disposed between the upper reverse sharpening guide surface and the abrasive surface to establish a plunge depth of the tool prior to contact with the abrasive surface. The tool is thereafter moved away from the upper reverse sharpening guide in a lateral direction across the abrasive surface while nominally maintaining the tool at the acute angle to sharpen the cutting edge in a trailing cutting edge orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of image processing. In one form, the invention relates to image processing as applied to digital processing and/or digitisation of an image and/or photo. In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use in computer controlled knife cutting systems. The present invention uses an ‘auto centre’ feature in association with the tracing of an image to provide a number of advantage.

Abstract: A sharpening apparatus is provided. The sharpening apparatus includes a foldable case, a first sharpening tool, and a second sharpening tool. The first and second sharpening tools are associated with the foldable case and are rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.

Abstract: An adjustable manual abrasive sharpener having a pair of sharpening slots formed in a frame with opposing abrasive arms being pivotally mounted in each of the sharpening slots. A rod is mounted on the frame for rotatable motion and for linear motion long its axis of rotation from a position at which the rod is locked against rotation to a depressed position whereby the rod may be rotated. The bottom end portion of the rod includes a pinion gear which engages a pair of gear racks which are mounted for movement laterally relative to the axis of rotation of the rod. The pair of gear racks respectively engage slots formed on the bottom of the abrasive arms in each sharpening slot. Rotation of the rod causes movement of the gear racks to adjust each pair of abrasive arms with respect to each other to vary the sharpening angle of the abrasive elements.

Abstract: A knife sharpener includes a knife holder in which a knife is inserted so that an edge of the knife is exposed, at least one edge sensor, configured to detect the edge of the knife, at least one abrader, the at least one abrader having a sharpening surface angled to meet an edge of the knife at a sharpening angle of one side of the knife, a motive mechanism connected to the holder and the at least one abrader, and a computing device in communication with the edge sensor and the motive mechanism, and configured to cause the at least one abrader to traverse the edge of the knife using the motive mechanism, in response to the at least one edge sensor. A method for knife sharpening involves directing the abrader to traverse the edge of the knife, responsive to input from an edge sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a cutting implement has a base, a first clamping member and a second clamping member extending above the base. The clamping members have opposite top portions, bottom portions, and vertical inside surfaces substantially parallel to a vertical plane of the cutting implement. At least one guide rod is pivotably attached to the base. The guide rod distal end extends above the base at an angle to the vertical plane. An abrasive implement holder is configured to slidably move along the at least one guide rod. The abrasive implement holder has a body and holder aperture therethrough that extends along a guide rod axis and that is sized and configured to receive the guide rod. An adjustable face plate is pivotably connected to the body and defines a second angle with the guide rod axis. Pivoting the adjustable face plate changes the second angle.

Abstract: A shaving system includes a razor having a handle and a safety housing with a blade extendably received within the safety housing. An integrated sharpening system incorporates an armature receiving the razor, the armature being movable from a first position for attachment and extraction of the razor and a second position for sharpening of the blade. A sharpening mandrel is provided with a first sharpening surface for sharpening a first side of the blade and a second surface for sharpening of a second side of the blade. The sharpening mandrel is rotatable from a first position for engagement of the first sharpening surface to a second position for engagement of the second sharpening surface. The sharpening mandrel is laterally oscillated for sharpening of the blade. A controller is provided for positioning of the armature and sharpening mandrel.

Abstract: A skate sharpening holder includes an anvil plate surface that is adapted to engage with a skate blade so that the skate blade is securely held with respect to the anvil during skate sharpening or contouring. The anvil plate surface can include pins or openings that would engage with respective openings or pins in a skate blade to hold the skate blade in place.

Abstract: A method of sharpening blades of a hair cutting device includes providing a sharpening composition in substantially crystalline form, activating a hair cutting device, submerging a working end of the hair cutting device at least partially into the sharpening composition, and viewing the sharpening composition. Sharpening is complete when the sharpening composition is substantially transformed to powder form.

Abstract: A self sharpening razor system includes a razor having a handle and a safety housing with a blade extendably received within the safety housing. An integrated sharpening system incorporates an armature receiving the razor and movable between a first position for attachment and extraction of the razor and a second position for sharpening of the blade. A sharpening mandrel is provided with sharpening surfaces for sharpening first and second sides of the blade. The sharpening mandrel is rotatable from to engage the first sharpening surface and second sharpening surface. The sharpening mandrel is laterally oscillated for sharpening of the blade. In alternative embodiments, sharpening is accomplished with reciprocating honing plates with available stropping wheels or integrated honing and stropping wheels with exposure adjustability and sharpness adjustability via honing time variance. A controller is provided for positioning of the armature and sharpening mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for sharpening a cutting edge of a tool. In accordance with some embodiments, a side of the tool is placed in contacting engagement against a reverse sharpening guide surface to orient the tool at an acute angle with respect to an abrasive surface, with the abrasive surface extending in a lateral direction from a first end to a second end and the reverse sharpening guide surface located proximate the first end. The tool is moved away from the reverse sharpening guide surface and along the abrasive surface in the lateral direction toward the second end while nominally maintaining the tool at the acute angle so that a cutting edge of the tool is sharpened against the abrasive surface in a trailing cutting edge orientation with a top surface of the tool opposite the cutting edge maintained closer to the second end than the cutting edge.

Abstract: Truing devices constructed and arranged for truing one or more disposable metallic blades and methods for the manufacture and use of same are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A one-piece hand-held sharpening device for dental instruments. The device is a sharpening stone having a continuous abrasive surface, with a uniform overall thickness, and generally corresponding flat longitudinally rectangular top face and bottom face surfaces. One side surface contains at least two longitudinal radius grooves and the opposite side face has rounded edges where it abuts the top and bottom surfaces. From either side view, it presents as an isosceles trapezoid with the top and bottom surfaces in parallel, both end surfaces with equal dimensions, and extending at equal angles from the end of the bottom surface to the end of the top surface. During sharpening, the upper end surface is aligned in parallel with a horizontal work surface. In other sharpening operations, each of the radius grooves allows proper sharpening of a different sized curette toe and the rounded edges permit sharpening of instruments with concave surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding hand knives, in particular for meat processing, with at least one grinding tool is proposed, by means of which a knife ground finish, in particular during the reconditioning of hand knives after use, is made possible in a repeatable manner with reproducible grinding quality. This is achieved according to the invention in that a knife magazine (6, 7) for accommodating at least one hand knife is provided, in that a driven manipulating device (3, 4, 5) having at least one knife gripper (5) is provided, in that at least one sensor unit (22) for at least partly recording the knife contour is provided, and in that an electronic evaluating and control unit for evaluating the sensor data and for activating the manipulating device (3, 4, 5) is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a blade body of a nail clipper having a 3-dimensional inclined curve-type blade, including steps of forming an inclined curve with a curvature Ra using a boundary line which is formed when the periphery of grinding media with a radius Rg in an upright position is merged with an upper inclined surface having a predetermined angle ?1 with respect to a vertical line, forming a lower inclined surface by extending the inclined curve downward at an angle ?2 corresponding to the angle ?1, forming blade bodies using the upper and lower inclined surfaces to be inner inclined surfaces of the blade bodies, and grinding the ends of the upper and lower inclined surfaces simultaneously via grinding media with the radius Rg, whereby forming upper and lower 3-dimensional inclined curve-type blades with the curvature Ra, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods related to sharpening blades for rotary cutters. In one illustrative embodiment, a power sharpener system secures a rotary cutting blade between upper and lower columns that form a rotating axle in contact with upper and lower sharpening stones, each positioned at an appropriate angle to contact a cutting edges of the rotary blade for sharpening. The upper column may be rotatably attached to an upper cover or lid and the lower column rotatably disposed in a base. After the rotary blade is secured, an electric motor is used to rotate the column, contacting the edges of the blade against the stones to simultaneously sharpen both edges of the blade. In some embodiments, a retractable plate may be disposed around the lower column for placement of the rotary blade thereon and a lifting lever may be used to facilitate blade removal.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods in accordance with the present invention are related to sharpening blades for rotary cutters. In one illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention, an elongated sharpening stone is held at a desired angle between underlying support structures on a base and a securing cap. A planar edge of the stone is exposed in an adjustable channel between the stone and a slidably adjustable sidewall. The angle of the sharpening stone corresponds to correct angle for a sharpened edge on a rotary blade disposed on a hand held rotary cutter, which is inserted into the channel. By advancing the cutter through the channel an edge of the rotary blade may be honed and/or sharpened.

Abstract: Method (300) and apparatus (100) for sharpening a cutting tool (114, 132, 204, 210, 216). A flexible abrasive belt (116, 116A, 116B, 162, 172) with a selected linear stiffness and an abrasive surface (128A, 128B) of selected abrasiveness level is driven (304) in a selected direction along a selected plane between a first support (122) and a second support (118). In some embodiments, the cutting tool is presented (306, 308) in contacting engagement against the abrasive surface to induce torsion of the belt (140, 144, 148) out of the selected plane to conform to a cutting edge (138, 168, 178, 207, 208, 213, 214, 215) of the cutting tool. In further embodiments, presentation of the cutting tool against the abrasive surface of the belt (306, 308) induces bending of the belt out of said selected plane at a radius of curvature (169, 179) determined in relation to said linear stiffness to shape a side surface (164, 166, 174, 176) of the cutting tool with said radius of curvature.

Abstract: A formed cutter 1 has on its tip side a blade 2 having a spiral cutting part 6 and a spiral flute 8 alternately disposed and rotating around a rotation axis O to perform cutting. The formed cutter 1 is manufactured by forming a depression 6B and a projection 6A with different diameters on a blade forming part 12, forming the spiral flute 8 on the blade forming part 12, and forming a rake face 4 on a side fall of the spiral flute 8 by bringing the grinding tool 18 in line contact with the side wall of the spiral flute 8 along a depth direction of the flute 8 while rotating the grinding tool 18 around its axial center.

Abstract: A blade processing (e.g., sharpening) device includes two sets of overlapping edge processing rings. Inner diameter surfaces of the edge processing rings define a notch suitable for effectively processing a blade with a convex cutting edge profile. Certain types of edge processing rings are movable relative to one another to adjust an edge processing angle of the notch. Certain types of blade processing devices also can also process blades with concave cutting edge profiles. The rings may be contained at least partially within a protective housing. A blade can be processed by inserting a blade through a blade insertion opening in the housing and into the notch while a handle of the blade remains outside the housing. By grasping the handle, the blade can be manually reciprocated within the notch during edge processing.

Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The region has a first side meeting at its respective ends a first end of each of a second side and a third side. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining, using a computer, a radius of curvature and a center of each of a succession of circularly shaped tool passes, each successive tool pass advancing into the region from the first side of the region, wherein the radius of curvature and the center of each advancing tool pass is determined such that an engagement of the cutter following the tool path does not exceed a predetermined value of cutter engagement, and (2) generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter to mill the region in accordance with the generated tool path.

Abstract: A combination sharpener assembly which is particularly useful for fishermen, includes an electrically powered knife sharpener. A manually operated scissors sharpener is mounted in the recess of the housing for the knife sharpener. A hook sharpener is detachably mounted in a compartment in the housing of the knife sharpener. The motor for the knife sharpener is mounted in a sealed inner housing and can be selectively operated under either direct current or alternating current.

Abstract: An ultrasonic trimming method is composed of steps, driving a cutter blade having a flat plate shape and supported by an arm at an end of an articulated robot via an ultrasonic oscillator, the cutter blade being driven by the arm while the cutter blade is ultrasonically vibrated; cutting a workpiece secured by a workpiece securing portion; and during, operation for cutting, moving the cutter blade held attached to the articulated robot to the position at where the cutting edge is brought into contact with the grindstone, maintaining the cutter blades attitude such that a plane containing the cutting edge thereof contacts the grindstone, and grinding the cutter blade by pressing the cutter blade against a grinding member by the arm while the cutter blade is ultrasonically vibrated, the grinding member being disposed within a movable range of the cutter blade driven by the articulated robot.

Abstract: The invention relates to running bases with improved speed and gliding characteristics when they run over water, snow or ice surfaces or artificial materials that mimic these surfaces. In particular the invention relates to a method comprising sequentially treating at least a portion of the running base with one or more abrasive materials having a progressively smaller particle size.

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. Centripetal 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 method and a device for machining the leading edge of a turbine engine blade by a machining center for which parameters are set is disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a 3D profile of the leading edge of the blade; calculating at least one characteristic of the leading edge from the 3D profile; comparing the value of the calculated characteristic with a known theoretical value of the characteristic to obtain an elementary difference for the characteristic; calculating at least one undulation of the leading edge between at least two consecutive elementary sections from the 3D profile; optimizing the elementary differences obtained as a function of the undulation; setting the parameters of the machining center as a function of the optimized elementary differences for the elementary sections to define machining passes over the leading edge; and machining the leading edge of the blade with the machining center with parameters set.

Abstract: An electrically powered knife sharpener for ceramic (or other brittle, crystalline or amorphous media which could be used for blades) knives includes at least one pre-sharpening stage with a sharpening member(s) and includes a final stage with a sharpening member(s). There are one or more motor driven shafts on which the abrasive surfaced sharpening members, such as disks, are mounted. Guide structure is provided to guide the knife for aligning and positioning the knife facet precisely at a defined location on the abrasive surface of each rotating sharpening member. The pre-sharpening stage sharpening member(s) moves in a first direction. The final stage sharpening member(s) moves in a second direction which differs from the first direction.

Abstract: A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft, mounted to the adjustment device, defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure and is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool having a counter surface is rotatably connected to the carousel. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.

Abstract: A scraper in combination with a sharpener provides consistent sharpening of the scraper blade. The scraper has a scraper blade, blade holder, and bearing surface. The sharpener has a sharpening element and a guide generally parallel to the sharpening element. The bearing surface of the scraper fits the guide of the sharpener and the scraper blade contacts the sharpening element. The scraper can be drawn along the guide to draw the blade along the sharpening element. The bearing surface and guide keep the blade in consistent and correct relation to the sharpening element to provide proper sharpening of the scraper blade. Adaptors may be used to sharpen additional types of blades or tools on the sharpener and different types of sharpening elements may be used in the sharpener.

Abstract: An ultrasonic trimming method is composed of steps, driving a cutter blade having a flat plate shape and supported by an arm at an end of an articulated robot via an ultrasonic oscillator, the cutter blade being driven by the arm while the cutter blade is ultrasonically vibrated; cutting a workpiece secured by a workpiece securing portion; and during, operation for cutting, moving the cutter blade held attached to the articulated robot to the position at where the cutting edge is brought into contact with the grindstone, maintaining the cutter blades attitude such that a plane containing the cutting edge thereof contacts the grindstone, and grinding the cutter blade by pressing the cutter blade against a grinding member by the arm while the cutter blade is ultrasonically vibrated, the grinding member being disposed within a movable range of the cutter blade driven by the articulated robot.

Abstract: A tool sharpening assembly (100) suitable for sharpening cutting tools (140,350,366,546,562). In some embodiments, a wedge-shaped port is formed between a rotational first abrasive surface (160,262) and a stationary second abrasive surface (162,264) to sharpen a distal cutting edge (146) of a cutting tool (140,230,546). In other embodiments, a cooling mechanism (136,326,330,334,338) actively draws heat generated during a sharpening operation from a tool (140) and through a tool support structure (170,234,328,332) contactingly supporting the tool, in further embodiments, a rotatable abrasive slotted disc (364) comprises at least one inspection aperture (372) formed from an interior sidewall (390) with upper and lower leading and trailing edges (396,398,400,402) of non-uniform separation distance. In other embodiments, a cylindrical drum abrasive member (572) is provided with an associated stationary support plate (574).