Abstract: A centerless grinder for grinding an elongated workpiece includes a grinding wheel having a working surface with a plurality of raised areas extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the working surface. A platform is provided having an elongated top surface for supporting the workpiece substantially adjacent to the working surface of the grinding wheel and a front surface with a plurality of lateral grooves for receiving the raised areas on the working surface of the grinding wheel such that movement of the platform toward the working surface into a working area adjacent to the grinding wheel enables the raised areas to pass into the lateral grooves and grind the workpiece.

Abstract: A centerless grinder for grinding an elongated workpiece includes a grinding wheel having a working surface with a plurality of raised areas extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the working surface. A platform is provided having an elongated top surface for supporting the workpiece substantially adjacent to the working surface of the grinding wheel and a front surface with a plurality of lateral grooves for receiving the raised areas on the working surface of the grinding wheel such that movement of the platform toward the working surface into a working area adjacent to the grinding wheel enables the raised areas to pass into the lateral grooves and grind the workpiece.

Abstract: A grinding system for grinding feedstock includes a transport apparatus, a grinding apparatus, and a controller. The transport apparatus continuously transports feedstock of an arbitrarily long length at a desired feed rate, and the grinding apparatus grinds the feedstock transported by the transport apparatus. The controller controls a grinding position of the grinding apparatus and a longitudinal position of the feedstock during grinding to be coordinated with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein, while holding an optical fiber 1 by an optical fiber holder section 4 so as to serve a distal end 1a of the optical fiber 1 as a free end and holding the distal end 1a of the optical fiber 1 in contact with a grinding flat portion 5b to cause the distal end 1a of the optical fiber 1 to be flexed on the grinding flat portion 5b, reciprocating movement for causing the distal end 1a of the optical fiber 1 to slide on the grinding flat portion 5b in a first sliding direction and an oppositely orientated second sliding direction is relatively implemented a plural number of times between the grinding flat portion 5b and the distal end 1a of the optical fiber 1.

Abstract: A polishing fixture is provided for polishing the optic ends of a fiber optic cable terminated in a fiber optic connector. A holding plate has a receptacle for receiving the fiber optic connector, with at least a portion of each of a first side and a second side of the connector exposed. A clamping arm is disposed for linear movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector, as well as for pivotal movement relative to the holding plate and the received connector. The clamping arm has first and second clamping portions for engaging the first and second sides, respectively, of the connector. An actuator mechanism is operatively associated with the clamping arm for moving the clamping arm linearly to bring the first clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the first side of the connector and then pivoting the clamping arm to bring the second clamping portion of the arm into clamping engagement with the second side of the connector.

Abstract: A wire cleaning system includes a pair of blocks that are generally elongated and have an internal chamber. A conduit extends from the chamber to a port disposed at the side of the block. The port is connected to an air supply. A groove is made on one side of the block. The groove generally conforms to the wire diameter or shape. Holes are made from the bottom of the groove to the chamber. An abrasive media may be placed over the holes in the groove in the blocks. A pair of the above-described blocks with media disposed in the grooves are placed on opposite sides of the wire and squeezed together by clamps, holding the media against the wire. The face on the leading side of the block is placed against a stop to prevent it from moving as the wire is pulled. Additional pairs of blocks are added as required in a radial direction to cover the entire circumference of the wire. As the wire is pulled, air is injected into the ports in the blocks. The air exits from the holes and blows off the debris from the media.

Abstract: A grinding machine for centerless grinding of workpieces is provided. The workpieces are disposed on a support in the area of a longitudinal plane of the grinding machine. A first slide is provided for a grinding wheel and positioned laterally relative to the longitudinal plane. A second slide is provided for a regulating wheel and is likewise positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal plane. A first dressing tool is provided for dressing the grinding wheel at a first predetermined position and a second dressing tool for dressing the regulating wheel at a second predetermined position. The first and second predetermined positions are located in the area of the longitudinal plane.

Abstract: Device for mechanically cleaning wire rod for profiled metal wires, comprising at least one press (3) with gripping jaws (4a, 4b) rotating about the wire rod (2) and supporting an abrasive material (5), such as steel wool for example, arranged in one or more layers around the wire rod (2), pressed against it by the jaws (4a, 4b) and retained by the latter so as to prevent it being drawn along; operating members (6a, 6b) consisting of floating plates (8) joined together in an ordered manner in pairs so that each pair interacts autonomously with the abrasive material (5); means (7) for actuating the operating members (6a, 6b), able to modify the opening of the jaws (4a, 4b); means (10) for synchronizing the relative sliding movement of the plates (8) of each pair in the transverse direction with respect to the rod (2) and able to cause identical displacements of the said plates (8) in opposite directions.

Abstract: A centerless grinder assembly for machining elongate workpieces and method of operating same are disclosed. The centerless grinder comprises a work wheel for removing stock from an associated workpiece, a regulating wheel arranged to cooperate with the work wheel in removing the stock from the workpiece and a support device arranged between the work wheel and a regulating wheel for supporting the workpiece during machining operations.

Abstract: A centerless grinder assembly for machining elongate workpieces is disclosed. The centerless grinder comprises a work wheel for removing stock from an associated workpiece, a regulating wheel arranged to cooperate with the work wheel in removing the stock from the workpiece and a support device arranged between the work wheel and a regulating wheel for supporting the workpiece during machining operations. The centerless grinder assembly may also include a slidable sensor bank spaced from the work wheel and the regulating wheel for detecting at least the position of the workpiece during machining operations and for generating signals corresponding to the detected position of the workpiece. The slidable sensor bank may be selectively adjustable to a desired distance away from the work wheel and the regulating wheel to permit versatility in machining workpieces having various lengths.

Abstract: Fly lines become dirty in use and need to be cleaned periodically. A fly line can retain good shootability for a longer period of time when cleaned by a flexible, pliable abrasive article bearing abrasive granules having diameters substantially within the range of 5 to 30 .mu.m. Microscopic examination shows that the cleaning leaves longitudinal striations along the surface of the line. The abrasive article can have a backing of a nonwoven mat of fibers bearing of composite of the abrasive granules in a binder. The uncoated face of the backing can be laminated to a spongelike substrate such as an open-cell polymeric foam by which a lubricant can be applied to a freshly cleaned fly line.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the position of a moveable regulating wheel in a centerless grinding machine, to provide a varying contour to the object being ground. The control system includes sensing means which measures the feed rate at which the object is being fed into the grinding machine. The rate at which the regulating wheel is moved is adjusted based on the feed rate of the object being ground, thus providing a high degree of control over the final shape of the ground object.