Patent · US Expired

Active polishing of rotatable article surfaces

US6220946A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 29, 1999
Grant dateApr 24, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 29, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B27/0084
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A belt polishing machine has a moving endless abrasive coated polishing belt that wraps around and travels over a substantial portion of a circumferential surface of a rotatable workpiece for finishing the surface. A drive pulley drives the polishing belt in a continuous path at a desired surface speed over the circumferential surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is being rotated at a desired rotational speed. Guide pulleys direct the polishing belt around and into engagement with a substantial portion of the circumferential surface and may supply tension to the polishing belt during finishing operations. Separate tensioning pulleys may be provided. A coolant feed applies coolant against the polishing belt for separating and carrying away removed material from the belt and cleaning the abrasive for a subsequent pass. A backup shoe may be provided to selectively apply additional pressure through the belt upon portions of the polished surfaces to improve cylindricity. In-process gaging of the surfaces during the polishing process may also be provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.