Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the width of a cutting blade in a linear motor is activated when the cutting blade is raised. A working pin is advanced and one end of a detecting pin is abutted against an edge of the cutting blade. Thereafter, the working pin is returned. The blade width is derived by deducting the number of inputted driving pulses in returning from the advanced position of the detecting pin. The cutting blade is polished each polishing cycle for predetermined times by polishing rollers. The width of the cutting blade is measured by blade width detecting means during each predetermined polishing cycle. The measurement value of the blade width is fed back into a control device so that the subsequent polishing time of the cutting blade with the polishing rollers is adjusted until it becomes appropriate. The expiration of the useful life of the polishing rollers is determined when a long polishing time is required.

Abstract: A method of polishing a thin film formed on a semiconductor substrate. In a method of the present invention a polishing pad is rotated. A substrate is pressed against the rotating polishing pad so that the thin film to be polished is placed in direct contact with the polishing pad. During polishing, the polishing pad is continually conditioned by forming a plurality of grooves into the polishing pad. The grooves are formed by a conditioning block having a substantially planar bottom surface with a plurality of groove generating points extending from the substantially planar surface of the conditioning block. The grooves are generated by sweeping and rotating the conditioning block between an outer radius and an inner radius of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A buffing apparatus which can buff a thin plate work without causing buckling. The buffing apparatus comprises a plurality of buffing rolls removably secured in a predetermined spaced relationship from each other to a shaft which is driven to rotate, a backup roll disposed in parallel to the buffing rolls and extending over the overall length of all of the buffing rolls, and a holding roll disposed at least between each adjacent ones of the buffing rolls. The holding roll is positioned such that the axis thereof is positioned on a straight line interconnecting the center of transverse section of one of the buffing rolls and the center of a transverse section of the backup roll and an outer periphery thereof substantially contacts with a contacting plane of the buffing rolls.

Abstract: Point-grinding apparatus comprising frame means, workpiece transport means operably mounted on the frame means for transporting a plurality of elongated workpieces therealong, workpiece support means disposed adjacent the transport means for supporting the elongated workpieces in contact with the transport means and grinding means including an asymmetrical concave grinding surface disposed adjacent the transport means to engage workpieces supported by the workpiece supporting means, the asymmetrical concave grinding surface being configured and dimensioned such that a surface area of each workpiece which contacts the grinding surface varies relative to the position of the workpiece with respect to the grinding surface. A method for grinding needle points is also provided including the steps of, providing a rotating grinding wheel having an asymmetrical concave grinding surface and feeding at least one workpiece to a first position such that each at least one workpiece is advanced along the grinding surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grinding a workpiece which is supported for rotation about a first axis with a first grinding wheel supported for rotation about a second axis and a second grinding wheel supported for rotation about a third axis. The first grinding wheel engages with the workpiece in a location which is substantially diametrically opposed to the location at which the second grinding wheel engages with the workpiece. Control means are disclosed for controlling the radial grinding force imparted to the workpiece by the first and second grinding wheels so that the force imparted to the workpiece from the first grinding wheel is substantially equal and opposed to the force imparted to the workpiece by the second grinding wheel to prevent distortion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage disk includes a surface with a coarsely textured head landing zone and a finely textured data storage area. The coarse texture is applied over the fine texture in the landing zone without forming a step in elevation at the boundary. A method for texturing the magnetic disk includes first applying a fine texture to both the data storage area and the landing zone, and then applying a coarse texture to the landing zone only. Texturing apparatus includes peripheral disk clamps permitting axial compliant movement when the opposed disk surfaces are engaged by balanced, pneumatically biased abrading tools. A free abrasive slurry is introduced to pads carried by the tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polishing process and a polishing apparatus for polishing an end face of a connector assembly with at least one optical fiber. The process comprising the steps of attaching at least one optical fiber with an optical connector made of different material from that of the optical fiber so that the optical fiber exposes from the end face of the optical connector and polishing the end face of the connector assembly with the optical fiber while pressing the same against a flat surface of a rotating abrasive wheel containing fixed abrasive grains with a constant load.

Abstract: A finishing tool useful in sanding, abrading and like activities. The tool comprises a block having slots of a predetermined size and shape disposed in opposite ends of the block. The slots are adapted to receive matching holding elements so that a predetermined length of finishing material, such as sandpaper, may be placed across the support surface of the block, the ends of sandpaper being inserted and securely held between the surfaces of the holding elements and the slots. The holding elements are pulled inwardly by retraction elements such as one or more lengths of an elastic material such as a rubber hose interconnecting the holding elements. Passages are provided in the block for housing such elastic members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a turbine comprising a pair of relatively movable working members having closely spaced opposed surfaces with depressions therein acting to transer kinetic energy between a working fluid and the working members.

Abstract: An improved process for finishing the edge of corrective lenses made of thermoplastic material or of a mixture of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. This process includes the steps of dry pre-profiling and dry post-profiling the corrective lens and the further subsequent additional process step of wet final finishing and/or calibrating the corrective lens by using an additional fine grinding wheel and applying cooling liquid to the contact area between said corrective lens and said fine grinding wheel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process of and apparatus for manufacturing tile mosaics from at least two stone slabs, such as marble or granite slabs. The process comprises the steps of: a) cutting each of the two slabs into a matrix of pieces while maintaining the original orientation of the pieces, b) classifying the pieces of each matrix into two or more sets of pieces, c) intermixing a first set of pieces of one slab with a second set of pieces of another slab while maintaining the original orientation of the pieces, thereby forming the mosaic. The cutting apparatus comprises: a) a platen having a resilient layer for supporting the slab, b) a gantry table saw having a plurality of blades and a rotatable table for supporting the platen, and c) a hold-down rack for securing the slab and platen during cutting. At least two grippers are use to intermix at least one set of pieces from one slab with at least one set of pieces from a second slab to form the mosaic.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for numerically controlled grinding of cams of a camshaft. The cams have a convex circular base section and a convex circular tip section with concave transitional sections interconnecting same. The concave transitional sections have a minimum radius of curvature. The cam is first ground with a first grinding wheel of a radius much bigger than the minimum radius of curvature, however, the cam material is not entirely removed during this first grinding step at the location of the concave sections, thus leaving there a zone of unground cam material. In a second grinding step, the cam is ground with a second grinding wheel of a radius being smaller than the minimum radius of curvature.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding molded friction products comprises a rotary indexing table with a substantially horizontal indexing table. The table surface indexes from one indexing position to another. Tool fixtures support friction product parts to be ground on a friction surface thereof. The tool fixtures are disposed on the rotary indexing table at the indexing positions. A grind stone is disposed above the indexing table surface for grinding the friction product part supported in the tool fixture at one of the indexing positions. The grind stone rotates about a grind axis which is substantially parallel to said central axis of said indexing grind table, but can be tilted by a small angle so as to provide a skim cut grind to the product. The method provides for performing operations at all indexing positions simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing working operations, such as grinding, polishing and burnishing, on a workpiece. A first and a second working tool are disposed for working movement in, respectively a first and second axis in a first plane and a second plane. The first and second working tools are operated at right angles to one another. The working tools perform work on the workpiece sequentially such that only one of the working tools is in contact with the workpiece at a given time. In this manner, any residual stresses in the workpiece generated by either one of the working tools will be cancelled out by the other one of the working tools. In this fashion, internal stresses in the workpiece are relieved for preventing any flow or deformation of the material in the workpiece during operations thereon.

Abstract: A gun liner repair apparatus and process for repairing a gun liner without isassembly of the gun or the liner. This apparatus includes a grinding unit for grinding away a damaged area of a liner and includes a potting unit for depositing new liner material on the damaged area of the liner.