EP0744245B1 - Apparatus and process for automatic honing of straight and elongated cutter blades - Google Patents

Abstract

The tool includes a support frame (12) with fitted movable blade holder support (22) which has several evenly spaced clamps (24) to hold a sharpened straight-edge cutting blade (26). The movable blade holder support is displaced cyclically by suitable mechanism from a starting position linearly along the longitudinal axis. Several interacting blade honing heads (30,32) engage sequentially into a cutting edge of the sharpened blade in a single longitudinally displaced cycle to provide progressive honing. A mechanism is provided for the cyclic return to move the movable holder support automatically back to the starting point at the end of the individual cycle. An end stop can be positioned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus at the honing head station insert end

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing an automated honing of elongated, straight-edged cutting knives, such as those that are common in machines with printers and in paper processing machines for cutting paper and by book manufacturers for trimming used by books.

Typically, sharpening and honing cutting knives of the type used here is considered, two separate steps, first that of sharpening the knife on a grinder built for this purpose, and secondly either manual or mechanical honing of the sharpened knife around the sharpening burr, which is generated during the grinding process, and consequently one to create a smooth, sharp cutting edge.

There are two basic methods for honing a sharpened knife. The first is the manual process that employs a specialist individually Use of honing stones sets in, this procedure being an essential workout and a great sense of eye-hand coordination requires that relatively slowly compared to a piece throughput from a grinder that does that Sharpening is, and the consistency of a sharpness that is achieved isn't just that variable between different people, but even with the same person.

The second method of honing a sharpened knife is one, some Type of mechanical device, and the mechanical device, The one most commonly used is the one that has relatively coarse sharpening discs on one Grinding machine through auxiliary discs with a much finer abrasive property and returning the sharpened knife back through the grinder using the finer, abrasive discs are used to hone the knife, replaced. This method has several disadvantages in that one Grinding machine is involved in the honing process, and similar to honing with the Hand honing with a grinding machine is a slow process. An adaptation of the grinding machine profile and the technology to a mechanical one Honing of the type described above is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,845,900 for Suzuki et al, dated July 11, 1989, one set of upper and lower Grinding wheels is used to make a super finish, or a honing, one to achieve a sharpened knife. This device is according to the Preamble of claim 1.

Another way of honing a sharpened knife mechanically is by means of a certain type of sanding device, as described by Edling in the U.S. Patent No. 4,617,63, dated October 21, 1986, that teaches use a belt type sanding machine, or as from Stoll in his U.S. Patent No. 4,939,869, dated July 10, 1990, below Using a modified table saw and a sanding disc to make a knife to hone. According to the teaching of Friel, U.S. Patent No. 5,005,319, dated 9 April 1991, the use of an orbital sand grinder is used, to sharpen or hone knives.

The apparatus and method according to the present invention, the use an orbitally structured, abrasive medium to hone sharpened, Elongated, straight-edged cutting knives differ in both the structure as well as the procedure over previous teachings, and though some of the elements as well as the technique of the present invention in the prior art Technology has been disclosed, there is no description therein of the combination of the elements exist that lead to features of a new teaching, as follows is specified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a basic object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives that create automatically honing a sharpened knife in a single pass through the device and finish. This task is characterized by the characteristics of the claims 1 (device) and 21 (using the same) solved.

It is another object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives, the knife through a large number of longitudinally or longitudinally arranged, simultaneously operated, cooperative, orbitally powered honing heads that work sequentially with abrasive surfaces progressively finer honing media are provided, reciprocally or to move back and forth.

It is yet another object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives to create the one Use an elastically supported surface of a honing medium to increase the honing effectiveness increase.

Yet another object of the present invention is an apparatus and method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives that are adapted to this is to accommodate knives of different lengths, widths and thicknesses.

It is another object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives that are machining a variety of knives in a single honing pass through the device enable.

It is also an object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for Honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives that create a honing in one automatic, single pass of a sharpened knife without a manual Allow handling of it during the honing process.

In particular, it is another object of the present invention, an apparatus and a To create processes for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives that safe and effective a smooth and sharp cutting edge on a sharpened knife form.

It is also an additional object of the present invention, an apparatus and a method for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knife, one Large number of orbitally driven honing heads on a stationary, ground grinding Knives are moved back and forth by.

The foregoing, and other tasks, will be easy as you study the following Description and the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, become apparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of the device embodying the present invention having.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1.

3 shows a top view of an exemplary ground knife, typically those honed by the device and the process thereof.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged section of an exemplary sharpened knife as it 3 and seen along the line 4 - 4 thereof.

5 shows an enlarged section of the previous exemplary knife shown in FIG this case, however, is shown after the same through the device and the Procedure has been honored.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged side elevation of the upper, orbitally driven Honkopfs.

Figure 7 shows a top plan view of the upper orbital powered honing head, such as he is shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged side elevation of a lower, orbitally driven Honkopfs.

Fig. 9 shows a top plan view of the lower, orbitally driven honing head, such as he is shown in Fig. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged partial top view of the knife holder carrier as it is shown in FIG. 2 is shown and can be seen along the line 10-10 thereof.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged side sectional elevation of the knife holder carrier as shown in Fig. 10 is shown and can be seen along the line 11-11 thereof.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged side sectional elevation of the knife holder carrier similar to the one as shown in FIG. 11, but along the line 12 - 12 of FIG. 10 seen, and which continues therein the relationship of the upper and lower, orbital represents honed head to the knife.

13 shows an enlarged top plan view of the upper and lower orbitally driven ones Honing head station, as shown in Fig. 2 and along the line 13 - 13 of which is seen.

Fig. 14 shows an enlarged side sectional view of the upper and lower, orbitally driven Honing head station, as shown in Fig. 13 and along the line 14 - 14 of which is seen.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged side sectional view of the upper, orbitally driven Honing heads, as shown in Fig. 13 and along the line 15 - 15 of them seen is.

16 shows an enlarged side sectional view of the lower, orbitally driven Honing heads as shown in Fig. 13 and along line 16-16 seen of it is.

17 to 21 comprise a simplified, schematic sequence that shows a progressive Side elevation with corresponding end elevation sequences of the upper, orbitally driven Represent honing heads in operation.

22 to 26 comprise a simplified, schematic sequence, which is a progressive one Side elevation with corresponding end elevation sequences of the lower, orbitally driven Represent honing heads in operation.

Figure 27 shows a top plan view of a version of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1 shows a plan view of the device for automated honing or drawing grinding Elongated, straight-edged cutting knife 10 shown as the main component parts a support frame 12 made up of interconnected horizontal and vertical Parts 14 and 16 are each assembled, a control panel 18, with a Power supply source is connected by a line device 20 through which the various control and operating stations are supplied with energy and controlled or can be positioned, a movable knife holder carrier 22 which with a variety of Knife clamps 24 is provided, through which a sharpened, elongated, straight-edged Cutting knife 26 for honing in an aligned position for an indexed one Advancement is secured by the knife honing station 28, the latter a variety Sets of upper and lower orbital powered knife honing heads 30 and 32 each has, whereby the sharpened knife 26 automatically honed and with a sharply finished cutting edge under a single, indexed cycle the device 10 is provided.

Reference is made next to each other to FIGS. 1 and 2 in more detail describe the main component parts of this invention as well as those structurally to explain interacting features thereof, in addition to the method automated honing of a sharpened, elongated, straight-edged Cutting knife 26, which is thereby delivered.

First, the sharpened knife 26 is placed on the movable knife holder bracket 22 and positionally thereon with respect to the knife honing station 28 by a communicative Alignment and striking a longitudinal end of the knife 26 on the Knife alignment end stop 36 aligned with a stationary alignment device is that at the inlet 38 of the honing head station of the movable knife holder carrier is fixed, and accordingly aligns the longitudinal orientation of the knife 26, that should be honed in relation to the knife honing station 28. With the knife alignment end stop 36 interacting and used in conjunction with the appropriate lateral and angular adjustment along the longitudinal axis of the sharpened To set up the knife 26 in relation to the knife honing station 28 is Knife setting jig 40 which will be explained in more detail below will, in short, be a retractable knife alignment device, which can be swiveled for lateral and angular knife adjustment by means of the knife adjuster actuating cylinder 42 is positioned, which is via the knife set jig up and down control switches 44 and 46 of the control panel 18, respectively is activated, and it enables an aligned positioning of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 so as to progressively from the work surfaces of the upper and lower honing heads 30 and 32 during one longitudinally shifted passage to move through and thereby cutting and damaging it by the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 avoid.

Once the sharpened, elongated, straight-edged cutting knife 26 lengthways and laterally with respect to the angular orientation along the longitudinal axis feed is oriented towards the knife honing station 28, the oriented knife 26 is then pressed together on the movable knife holder carrier 22 by means of the knife clamps 24 secured and held in place. It should be emphasized that frequently A magnetic bed is used to hold steel work pieces, such as knives and the like to secure and hold on a movable bed or support. In the present application, however, it has been experimentally determined that a mechanical security device, such as knife terminals 24, the largest Flexibility and freedom in the speed and simplicity of a movement and Setting provides to orient and secure the knives 26 for honing purposes this is particularly the case when a plurality of relatively short Knives 26 for honing end to end lengthways on the movable knife holder carrier 22 initiated and coupled in this way for honing, as shown in a two-knife setting in plan view in FIG. 1.

The movable knife holder carrier runs on a set of spaced, tubular ones Rails 48 back and forth by means of rail shoes 50, which are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are seen, but are shown in certain subsequent figures, and will cyclically lengthwise through the knife honing station 28 by means of a cable 52 and moved forward, the respective ends of it with each side of a pneumatically driven Has connected piston 54, which in turn reciprocates within a sleeve 56 is displaceable. The cable or rope 52 is with the movable knife holder carrier 22 connected to a cable connection 58 and works on this connection 58, around a longitudinal drive displacement direction of the movable knife holder carrier 22 change when the cable 52 is operated around pulleys 60 and 62 when the drive piston 54 moves back and forth in the sleeve 56. Limitations of the longitudinal displacement of the movable knife holder carrier 22 are at the end of the knife honing station by the longitudinal displacement limit switch 64 of the movable Knife holder carrier and at the return end by the limit switch 66 of the movable knife holder carrier set and controlled.

With the sharpened or ground knife 26, or a variety of relatively short ones such knives 26 abutting end to end, aligned and movable Knife holder carrier 22 are secured, as described above, that is Device 10 accordingly set for a honing process. In this case, however, it would the settings of the knife 26 or the honing station are considered to be useful 28 to be checked by an operator using the movable knife holder carrier 22 in and out of honing station 28 by means of switches 70 and 72 for left alignment or can shift the right orientation in the longitudinal direction. Assuming the operator can use a suitable setting or a suitably set position then the knife honing cycle by activating switch 74 for automatic Initiate cycle of the movable knife holder carrier 22 in a single Honing cycle passage forward and backward from that actuated by cam 76 Knife honing station 28 moves longitudinally. In the above way, the following will be described in greater detail, the sharpened knife 26 consequently in a single forward and reverse cycle pass through the Knife honing station 28 finished. Alternatively, an operator can use a single or multiple forward and return cycles of the movable knife holder carrier 22 through the knife honing station 28 by means of the run and stop switches 78 and 80, whereby, whether automatically cyclically or otherwise, the cumulative number of cycles is recorded on the cycle counter 82.

3 to 5 for viewing a typical, sharpened, elongated, straight-edged cutting knife 26 and the various aspects of one Honens as it relates. As in the top view 3 has a knife 26, usually made of hardened or tempered Steel is made, an elongated, rectangular body 84 that with a plurality of screw hole openings 86 is provided by the connecting screws are used when the knife 26 in a cutting or trimming machine is assembled. The knife is also provided with an inclined surface 88 which in a sharpened cutting edge 34 ends. If a knife 26 is sharpened, as with Grinding wheels in a separate machine operation to renew the knife 26 Giving an edge is a mechanical result of such a sharpening process Formation of a burr 90 which must be removed by honing if the knife 26 thereafter should be used without having scratching or damage problems during Has cutting or trimming processes. It will not only be the Graf 90 during the Honing operations removed to form a sharp cutting edge, but additional Cutting edge material from knife 26 is also removed to continue a chisel edge 92, as shown in Fig. 5, which, in combination, a sharp, reinforced cutting edge profile 94 provides, as is the case with the new cutting edge angles "a" and "b" can be seen on the top and bottom, respectively Alternate approximately thirty-five and two degree relative angular relationships, as shown on the underside of the knife surface 96. As highlighted before , the preferred honing result, as shown in Fig. 5, is below one single, cyclical passage of a sharpened knife 26, as shown in FIG. 4 is achieved by the honing station 28 of the device 10.

6 to 9, the structural features the upper and lower orbital or honing knife head assemblies 30 and 32 illustrate by which honing is performed. The view 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the upper, orbitally driven Knife honing head 30, with the corresponding top view as shown in Fig. 7. The views shown in Figs. 8 and 9 are similar to the previous ones, but they are for the lower, orbitally powered Knife honing head 32 is provided, with the respective heads 30 and 32 interacting or cooperative sentences are used, and although they are under are profiled at different angles to effect honing, they are from one similar structure and function. In both cases, each knife horn has a motor 98 enclosed within a knife honing housing 100 and is carried and that by means of energy supply channels or lines 102 with suitable activation switch devices, described more fully below and are explained. Each motor 98 is eccentric Drive transmission 104 provided via which an orbital drive movement directly applied to the honing medium mounting head 106 by means of a shaft 108 with each honing medium mounting head 106 made of a suitable resilient Material is made to which an abrasive honing medium sheet 110 is suitably attached and can be secured, for example by a contact adhesive or a certain other suitable mechanical device. It will be found that the head housings 100 are assembled by means of screws 112, the distance these screws 112 in turn enable removal of the side plate 114 and thereby access to engine 98 or transmission 104, as well as to the line or channel connections 116 for purposes of one Maintenance and repair. The upper knife horn support arm 118 is attached and positioned the upper, orbitally driven knife honing head 30, and the lower knife honing support arm 120 attaches and positions the lower, orbitally driven knife honing head 32, and in both cases arms 118 and 120 are of sufficient structural strength to both the weight of the respective heads 30 and 32 as well how to absorb the orbital vibratory movements from it. A cooperative, mechanical Operation of the upper and lower orbitally driven knife honing heads 30 and 32 will be discussed in more detail below based on a detailed consideration of FIGS 26 inclusive.

10 to 12 in a more detailed explanation the use and operation of the knife adjuster 40 as well certain of the other mechanically cooperative and structural features of the device 10 of them facing. As stated earlier, the purpose of the knife adjuster is 40 the one, an aligned positioning of the sharpened Cutting edge 34 of knife 26 is angularly related to the longitudinal axis the direction of a linear displacement "X" of the movable knife holder carrier 22 to make. The foregoing is necessary so that it will shift during a Hon cycle of the movable knife holder carrier 22 through the knife honing station 28 is possible to move the sharpened cutting edge 34 progressively from the abrasive blades 110 of the honing medium during a linearly shifted contact to cause and also cutting and damaging the leaves 110 by the to avoid sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 during the honing processes. It will be noted that the angular adjustment of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 to the longitudinal axis of the direction of the linear displacement "X" is 2 degrees. The 2 degree angle adjustment of the cutting edge 34 to the longitudinal axis However, "X" should not be understood to be restrictive per se, but experimentally it has been found to be an angle is operationally suitable for the purpose specified.

As previously described, the knife adjustment jig 40 is pivotable retractable about tensioner joints 122 when the actuating cylinder 42 of the Knife setting jig by up or down switch 44 or 46 on the control panel is activated. Furthermore, the knife adjustment clamping device 40 is equipped with a elastic knife edge contact rod 124 against which the sharpened Cutting edge 34 of knife 26 in an aligned position without damage can be moved. And as has been said in addition and before, the Knife adjustment jig 40 in conjunction with the knife alignment end stop 36 used to set up a suitable longitudinal positioning of the knife 26. Also with the knife alignment end stop 36 and the limit switch 64 for the longitudinal displacement of the movable knife holder carrier, as shown in 1 and FIGS. 11 and 12 is shown below, the longitudinally adjustable shift limit switch castor 126, causing a forward shift of the movable knife holder carrier 22 by the knife honing station 28 in Relation to the length of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26, which is honed should be set adjustable to reverse and back to the start too cycles.

The knife terminals are also shown in larger, structural and operational detail in FIG. 10 24 shown, each such knife clamp 24 with a mounting bracket 128 is provided, which in turn on the movable knife holder carrier 22nd is mounted by means of support screws 130. Is pivotally mounted on each bracket 128 an upwardly projecting clamping arm 132 with pressure or compression roller 134, which can be operated cooperatively via a clamping lever arm 136, in terms of compression an elastic compression tip 138 on an aligned positioned knife 26 for honing on the movable knife holder carrier 22, being determined that the elastic compression tip 138 is vertical by means of a threaded shaft 140 is adjustable, which is screwed in over the end of the clamping lever arm 136 is mounted so as to receive knife 26, the rectangular knife body 84 different Possess thicknesses.

The enlarged side sectional elevation shown in Fig. 11 further illustrates the Operation of the knife adjustment jig 40, the execution in a solid Line thereof the knife alignment position with the actuator cylinder 42 of the Knife setting jig represents extended, and the length of the sharpened Cutting edge 34 of knife 26 in fixed contact with the elastic Knife edge contact bar 124 positioned as shown. If the knife 26 is aligned in an angular arrangement to the longitudinal axis and itself inserting the knife 26 into tight abutting contact with the knife alignment end stop 36 is arranged as previously and more clearly in Fig. 10 is shown, the knife terminals 24 are then closed to the elastic Compression tips 138 each of them along the length of the knife 26 in a compressive manner Bring contact with the right-angled knife body 84, and consequently the knife 26 correspondingly compressive or pressed in an aligned position secured on the movable knife holder carrier 22. The actuating cylinder 42 of the Knife adjustment jig is then withdrawn as indicated and the knife adjustment jig 40 attached thereto via the lever arm 142 connected, pivots about tensioner joints 122 and becomes similar Withdrawn way, as is also indicated. It should continue to be noticed that the actuating cylinder 42 of the knife adjustment jig is not fixed, but in a pivotable connection between the rotating frame or. Hinge pin 144 and lever arm pivot pin 146 hovers.

An additional operational feature of device 10 that is shown in greater detail in 10, the honing head power switch 148 is used to the energy supply to the knife honing heads 30 and 32 towards the conclusion of a Switch off knife honing cycle. There are also upper and lower knife horn opening cams 150 and 152 with a camshaft 154 and a camshaft actuating cylinder 156 plus the connection 158 of the cylinder-camshaft connection, whereby the upper and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32 upon completion of the forward phase of a honing cycle can be spread apart to thereby an unobstructed return when the movable knife holder holder cycles back 22 to the start position shown.

Attention is now focused on the enlarged side section elevation view 12, which is similar to that previously shown in FIG. 11 was shown, but in this view is a more detailed representation of the knife honing station 28 included, with the camshaft actuating cylinder 156 activated and the knife horn opening cam 150 and 152 thereby over the Compound 158 in the knife honing head 30 and 32 spread profiled to better the relative Relationships thereof to the aligned and secured knife 26 and to configure the sharpened cutting edge 34 for honing. As shown, if the knife honing heads 30 and 32 in the spreading profile as described above is configured, the respective honing medium abrasive blades thereof are arranged so to leave space for an unimpeded passage of the knife 26 create as is the case during a return cycle of the movable knife holder carrier 22 to the starting position with the completion of a knife honing would be the case. During knife honing, however, the camshaft actuating cylinder would are in a retracted position so that the respective knife honing heads 30 and 32 would be in a non-spread profile and the relative, operational positions each of which would be a function of cam 76 which engages with the upper and lower knife honing head cam followers 160 and 162, which in turn with the upper and lower knife honing arms 118 and 120 through their respective upper and lower cam follower link arms 164 and 166 are connected. The upper and lower knife horn support arms are 118 and 120 vertically on their respective arm mounting and retention shafts 168 and 170 displaceable, the upper knife honing head 30 by means of cams against the Is operated by gravity and the lower knife honing head 32 against a spring force lower knife honing tension spring 172 is actuated. Also in Fig. 12 is the honing head casing or cabinet 174 shown, which serves both a security for the operator as well as for the machine.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 13, which is an enlarged top plan view to the knife honing station 28 and in better detail the relation of the Introductory 38 of the movable knife holder carrier honing head station, with an aligned and fixed knife 26 in a honorable relationship to. It will first be noted that two sets of upper and lower, orbital driven knife honing heads 30 and 32 are present, the working units the knife honing station 28. This will only be considered as an example since the Variety of sets of knife honing heads 30 and 32 could be any number that best suited according to the type of particular knife honing that is made should be found. In the present application, however, is experimental it has been determined that a leading set of knife honing heads 30 and 32, which is attached with an abrasive blade 110 with relatively coarse-grained honing medium by a distance of the burr 90 from the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the Knife 26 and to deliver from the cutting edge 92, as previously shown in Fig. 5 is followed by a trailing set of knife honing heads 30 and 32, each of which is fixed with an abrasive blade 110 of a relatively fine-grained honing medium, for finishing honing and the sharp, reinforced cutting edge profile 94 provide a satisfactory and appropriate, as also shown previously in Fig. 5 Combination is. Second, it will be found that the angular Alignment of 2 degrees of knife 26 with the longitudinal axis direction of the linear displacement "X" provides a sharpened cutting edge 34 that provides a shift transition adjustment by contact with the abrasive blades 110 with honing medium and deliver past it, so prospecting cutting and damaging to minimize it during the honing process. And third is the relative relationships of the actuating cam members actuated by the cam 76, the on the movable knife holder carrier 22 is fixed and thus slidable, the sequentially in the upper and lower knife honing cam tappets 160 and 162 at Effecting an hon cycle sequence of the upper and lower orbitally driven ones Knife honing heads 30 and 32 engage, and the upper and lower knife honing opening cams 150 and 152 shown, which activate the camshaft actuating cylinder work at the end of the knife honing cycle when going through the Longitudinal displacement limit switch 64 of the movable knife holder carrier be triggered to spread the upper and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32, as previously shown in Fig. 12, and thereby an undisturbed Return cycle of the movable knife holder carrier 22 to the start position enable. Also, when the camshaft actuating cylinder 156 is activated, connection 158 of the cylinder camshaft connection to the honing head power switch 148 on and switches the power supply to the knife honing heads 30 and 32 from. A clearer representation of the Honkopf power cut by engagement of the honing head power switch 148 with the connection 158 of the cylinder-camshaft connection is in a solid line representation shown in Fig. 14.

The respective views shown in Figs. 15 and 16 represent operational Upper and lower knife honing configurations 30 and 32 of the leading knife horn set relative to the movable knife holder carrier 22 immediately before the initiation of a honing cycle of a knife 26, these Views correspond to those along lines 15-15 and 16- 16 of FIG. 13 are made. 15 and 16 are the operational ones Initiation relationships of the knife honing cycle for the knife honing heads 30 and 32 to the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 to be honed, the cam 76 to the upper and lower knife honing cam followers 160 and 162, and the upper and lower knife honing opening cams 150 and 152 to the upper and the lower cam follower link arms 164 and 166, shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to those simplified top honing head actuation sequence views that start with and are shown in FIG. 17 and continue through FIG. 21 including and Fig. 16 corresponds to such simplified operational sequence views of the lower one Knife honing heads 32, which begin with FIG. 22 and are shown and up to and including FIG. 26 continue. As is further noted, at the time of initiation, a Honing cycle, as shown by FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper knife honing head 30 in a gravitational starting position with the retention collar 180 the upper honing head of the support arm 118 at a rest position against the upper support arm attachment and the retainer shaft stop 182, and the spring biased home position of the lower knife honing head 32 with the upper retention collar 184 of the lower honing head of the support arm 120 in a compressed position against the lower bracket mounting and the retention shaft stop 186 arranged.

It is understandable that although the views and description of how they are presented in 15 and 16 are shown, as well as the corresponding operational Sequence series of FIGS. 17 to 21, for the upper knife honing head 30 for the leading one Knife honing head set, and the corresponding operating sequence series 22 to 26 for the lower knife honing head 32 in a similar manner for the preceding one Knife honing heads are, the same also for the operational sequences the upper and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32 of the trailing knife honing head sets be applied and valid, a variety of which are within the knife honing station 28. It should also be understood that while the respective operational sequences of the leading knife honing head set for the upper honing head 30 in FIGS. 17 to 21 and the lower knife honing head 32 in FIGS. 22 to 26 separately for the purpose of better clarity in the illustration and description are shown and described, certain of the corresponding ones operational sequences of the upper and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32 occur side by side during a honing cycle, which is the movable one Knife carrier holder 22 and the attached cam 76 by the knife honing station 28 pushes forward.

There will now be an operating sequence of the upper knife honing head 30, as shown in FIGS 17 to 21 is shown, facing where the left-hand representation of each figure is one simplified view across the line of operational honing cycle shift of the movable knife carrier holder 22 and the right-hand representation of each figure a corresponding simplified view along the line of the operational honing cycle shift of the movable knife holder carrier 22 is, that is, one side and a corresponding end view of the operational sequence of head 30 below the level of the honing cycle shift is represented by each figure. It is found 17 that the level of the honing cycle sequence shown in Fig. 17 is as before in the enlarged, simplified end elevation of the upper honing head 30 15, as shown in FIG. 15, the head 30 means mechanically and the knife 26 are a relation profile, which is like the movable knife holder carrier 22 in the initial stages of an operational honing cycle shift immediately before the start of knife honing by the leading Knife honing head set. In relation to the above, it will be seen that the upper, orbitally driven knife honing head 30 is arranged under gravity rests with the lower retention collar 180 of the upper honing head in contact the upper support arm attachment and retention shaft stop 182, where the abrasive sheet 110 as a honing medium thereof below the level of the sharpened Cutting edge 84 of the knife 26, which is to be honed, is located. The opening cam 150 of the upper knife honing head is in a neutral position and the upper guide surface of the cam 76 initially has the cam follower 160 of the interfered with the upper knife honing head and started a lifting shift to exert on the support arm 118 of the upper knife honing head when the cam 76 through the movable knife holder carrier 22 to the front through the knife honing station 28 is worn. Energy to the upper honing head 30 drives the abrasive blade 110 with honing medium in an orbital movement in relation to the sharpened cutting edge 34 to be honed.

The views shown in Fig. 18 represent a continuous, forward facing Shift the operational honing cycle of the cam 76 with a corresponding one Lifting displacement of the upper honing head continues when the cam follower 160 runs continuously on the upper guide surface of the cam 76, so that the surface of the abrasive blade 110 as the honing medium the edge of the advancing Knife 26 clears so that the head 30 can then be lowered and a honender Contact of the surface of the abrasive blade 110 on the underlying, sharpened Cutting edge 34 can be caused to initial honing from above to begin when the cam follower 160 is the top, recessed surface of the cam 76 crosses.

In Fig. 19, the cam 76 has shifted forward to the point where the Cam follower 160 is disengaged from the upper recessed surface thereof and the upper, orbitally driven honing head 30 is made of its abrasive blade 110 Honing medium under the force of gravity of the head 30 onto the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the Knife 26 arranged to effect honing from above. It is found the opening cam 150 of the upper knife honing head in a neutral, unactivated state remains as shown.

The views shown in Fig. 20 explain the completion of a honing cycle through the upper honing head 30 of the leading knife honing head set, with a continued, forward displacement of the movable knife holder carrier 22 and the cam 76, which is to be trailed by the knife honing station 28 Honing head sets, and a repeat cycle subsequent upper honing heads 30, as described above, is performed using it will be understood as previously referred to that the honing medium the abrasive blades 110 of the subsequent honing head 30 become progressively finer, around the sharp-edged chisel edge 92 with a reinforced cutting edge profile 94 to form on the finished honed knife 26. It is also found that when the knife 26 is free from the leading knife honing head set comes, the upper honing head 30 moves away from the trailing edge of the knife 26 moved away and returns to the gravity-based initial profile, such as this is indicated, with the lower retention collar 180 of the upper one Honing heads in turn against the upper bracket attachment and retention shaft stop 182 and with the abrasive blade 110 made of honing medium below the level of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 that is straight has been moved through there.

As the views shown in FIG. 21 now show, the conclusion is schematic of an automated honing cycle, with the shift limit switch roller 126 intervened in the limit switch 64 and this triggered, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby stopping and the To reverse the direction of displacement of the movable knife holder carrier 22, to cycle back to the start position as also shown in FIG. 1 and activate the camshaft actuation cylinder 156 to move over the Connection 158 of the cylinder-camshaft connection to the camshaft 154 transmitted, which moves the opening cam 150 of the upper knife honing head into to engage and lift the arm 118 of the upper knife honing head and thereby the upper heads 30 of the leading and trailing knife honing head sets so as to reverse a return shift pass of the movable knife holder carrier 22 with the honed knife 26 carried thereby will allow. Also, when the connection 158 becomes the cylinder-cam-shaft connection is activated, a contact thereby with the honing power supply switch 148, as shown in Fig. 1 and various subsequent figures is established, and energy to the upper honing heads 30 is interrupted. This then completes the operational honing cycle sequence for the upper, orbital driven knife honing heads 30, whether in the initial or the trailing Profiled honing head set.

The operational sequence of the lower knife honing head 32, as shown in FIG 22 to 26 is shown, with the left-hand representation as before each figure shows a simplified view across the line of operational honing cycle shift of the movable knife holder carrier 22 and the right-hand representation each figure has a corresponding simplified view along the line of operational Honing cycle displacement of the movable knife holder carrier 22 is one Side and a corresponding end view of the operational sequence of the head 32 are under a shift stage of the honing cycle as shown by each figure is. It will be noted that the level of the honing cycle sequence shown in Fig. 22 is shown as previously in the enlarged, simplified end elevation of the lower honing head 32 shown in FIG. 16, that is, the head 32 of the profile 32 mechanically and the knife 26 are a relation profile for this purpose such as the movable knife holder carrier 22 in the initial phase of displacement the operational honing cycle immediately before the start of knife honing through the leading knife honing head set. In the above respect will be seen that the lower, orbitally driven knife honing head 32 is in one is biased position by a spring 172, the upper retention collar 184 of the lower honing head in contact against the mounting and Retention shaft stop 186 of the lower arm is located, the abrasive Sheet 110 with the honing medium at the lower level of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26, which is to be honed, is located. An initiation of a honing of the Knife 26 by the interacting upper knife honing head 30 of the leading Honing at this stage would be in the full stages as before are described, run when the movable knife holder carrier 22 with attached therein Cam 76 continues the automatic knife honing cycle and moves forward the station of the lower, orbitally driven knife honing head 32 of the leading one Honing head set, which is shown here, pushes. As also shown is located the opening cam 152 of the lower knife honing head in a neutral position and the lower, leading side of cam 76 initially has in the cam follower 162 of the lower knife horn head intervened and started a falling movement to the support arm 120 of the lower knife honing head against the resilience of the spring 172 when the cam 76 is carried by the movable knife holder carrier 22 is worn, continues to move forward through the knife honing station 28. The abrasive blade 110 drives energy to the lower knife honing head 32 Honing medium in an orbital movement with respect to the sharpened cutting edge to be honored.

The views shown in Fig. 23 represent the forward shift of one continued, operational honing cycle of the cam 76 with a corresponding lowering displacement of the lower honing head 32 when the cam follower 162 continues to run on the lower guide surface of the cam 76 so that the surface of the abrasive blade 110 of honing medium below the edge of the advancing Knife 26 hangs and makes it free, so that the head 32 is then by the tension the spring 172 can be raised and the honing contact of the surface of the abrasive Blade 110 made on the now deliberate, sharpened cutting edge 34 can be used to perform an initial honing from below when the cam follower 162 crosses the lower, receding surface of the cam 76.

In Fig. 24, the cam 76 continues to move forward when the Cam follower 162 moves to save it from the lower, recessed surface thereof Engaging, and the lower, orbitally driven honing head 32 arranges its abrasive Sheet 110 of honing medium under the tension of spring 172 on the underside the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 to complete the initial Honens complete it from below. It will be noted that the Opening cams 152 of the lower knife honing head in the neutral, not activated State as shown remains. The views shown in Fig. 25 explain the completion of both the honing cycle process by the lower honing head 32 as well as that of the initial honing of knife 26 by the previous one Knife honing station 28 honing head set. From this point there is one continued, forward-facing displacement of the movable knife holder 22 and the cam 76, which is carried thereupon, by the knife honing station 28 trailing honing head sets and a repeat cycle of the subsequent lower ones Honing heads 32 as described above are present, of course It should be noted that, as previously referred to, the abrasive blade 110 is The honing medium of the subsequent head 32 progressively becomes finer to the very sharp one Cross cutting edge 92 of a reinforced cutting edge profile 94 on the finished, to produce honed knife 26. It will also be noted that as indicated is shown when the knife 26 clears the leading knife horn set, the lower honing head 32 moves away from the trailing edge of the knife 26 moved away and to the position biased by spring 172 in contact with the upper retention collar 184 of the lower honing head against the attachment and Retention shaft stop 186 of the lower arm returns and with the abrasive blade 110 made of honing medium again above the level of sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26, which is pushed straight forward through it has been in contact.

Reference is now made to the views shown in FIG schematically represent the completion of the automatic honing cycle, the Shift limit switch track roller 126 is engaged in the shift limit switch 64 and triggered it, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby simultaneously the direction of the displacement of the movable knife holder bracket 22 stop and to the recycle start position, as also shown in Fig. 1 is to return and activate the camshaft actuation cylinder 156, movement through link 158 of the cylinder-camshaft link to be transmitted to the camshaft 154, which is the opening cam 152 of the lower knife honing head moved to engage the support arm 120 of the lower knife honing head and depress and thereby lower heads 32 of the leading and trailing knife honing head sets so as to recycle a return shift pass of the movable knife holder carrier 22 with the honed Knife 26, which is carried thereby. Even if the connection 158 of the cylinder-camshaft connection is activated, a contact thereby the honing power switch 148 as shown in FIG. 1 and certain following Figures is shown, manufactured, and energy to the lower honing heads 32 interrupted. This then completes the operational honing cycle sequence for the lower, orbitally driven knife honing heads 32, whether profiled in the initial or the trailing honing head set.

Finally, attention is drawn to Fig. 27, which is a top plan view of a alternative embodiment 10a of the apparatus of the present invention for an automated Honing elongated, straight-edged cutting knives shows where in this embodiment the knife honing station 28a is movable with the cable or rope 52 is connected and reciprocating by the pneumatic piston 54 is driven on the spaced tubular rails 48, thereby a Honing a sharpened cutting edge 34 of an elongated, straight-edged one Cutting knife 26, which is in an aligned arrangement, in this case by a A plurality of knife clamps 24 are attached to a stationary knife holder 22a are to effect.

The primary functional purpose of alternative embodiment 10a of the present Invention is one, a refined modification of an outdated knife sharpening equipment in a knife honing machine in an automated, single cycle. And with the exception of a shift in the movable honing head station 28a past a stationary knife holder 22a instead of vice versa, one becomes Modified, mechanical mode of operation of the knife adjustment clamping device 40 in one those up and down, instead of a pivoting process, and the stationary cam instead of movable cam to the upper and lower, orbital to operate driven knife honing heads 30 and 32, the machine and the method of the invention remain the same.

Next, the alternative embodiment 10a of the operation of the knife adjustment jig 40 considered, with, as before, a sloping, angular Setting 2 degrees of the sharpened cutting edge 34 of the knife 26 which is honed should be, with respect to the longitudinal axis of a linear displacement X of the movable Knife honing station 28a is present. An operation of the knife adjustment jig 40 is up and down within a spaced setting of channel guide tracks 188 located on horizontal frame members 14 on each longitudinal or longitudinal end of the frame of the Messeereinstell clamping device 40 attached are. In this case, the clamping device is positioned and retracted 40 to use the elastic knife edge contact bar 124 for purposes allow knife alignment prior to initiating a honing cycle, and that is, by means of a cooperative set of push-pull cylinders 190 that come from the control panel 18 can be moved cyclically to raise the frame of the clamping device 40 and depress. And it will, as before, in conjunction with the knife alignment end stop 36 is described, the knife 26 and the sharpened Cutting edge 34 thereof set for honing by means of the frame of the clamping device 40, so a sloping transition of the upper and lower knife hon heads 30 and 32 during a honing cycle shift thereof along the surface of the sharpened Cutting edge 34 for honing thereby to achieve the probability reduce damage to the abrasive blades 110 with honing medium, such as this was previously explained. The push-pull cylinders 190 are actuated by means of opening and closing Down switches 44 and 46 for the knife adjustment pretensioner of the control panel 18th

The upper and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32 are cycled in the same way and way, as previously described, moves what by an interaction of the Cam followers 160 and 162 with the cam 76 attached to the stationary knife holder 22a is attached. In this case, however, the cam followers 160 and 162 with the movable knife honing station 28a behind the cam 76, which in a fixed position is attached, as shown, on the stationary knife holder 22a shifted.

Actuation of the camshaft 154 to raise and lower the upper one and lower knife honing heads 30 and 32 by means of the upper and lower knife honing opening cams 150 and 152 for a cyclically returned transition of the movable Knife honing station 28a back to the starting position is done by an interaction of the cyclically returning activated lever 192 with the firmly attach, recycle cam plate 194, and at the start position to heads 30 and 32 by means of an interaction of the cyclically activating lever 196 with the fixed one attach cycle cam plate 198 to close.

Except for the mechanical differences noted above, the mode of operation is and the method of alternative embodiment 10a of the device the same like this before for a interacting interaction of the upper and lower Honing heads 30 and 32 of the movable honing head station 28a in connection with the stationary knife holder carrier 22a and the fixed cam 76 has been described.

Although the device for automated honing of elongated, straight-edged cutting knives in both a preferred and an alternative embodiment thereof, including the respective structural characteristics and the operating procedure of which, shown and described in each case, is what is considered to be the most most practical and preferred combinations is considered to see that Modifications thereof within the scope of the claims can be made.

Claims (21)

1. Apparatus (10, 10a) for automatic honing of elongated, straight-edged cutting blades (26) having a support frame (12), which has mounted thereon a blade holder support (22, 22a), on which is provided a plurality of spaced clamp devices (24) for aligned receiving of at least one sharpened, straight-edged cutting blade (26) for automatic honing thereof, a device for producing a cyclic, relative displacing movement between the blade holder support (22, 22a) and a blade honing station (28, 28a) along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus (10, 10a), as well as a device for automatic cyclic return of the movable cyclically displaced part at the end of the single, longitudinally displaced cycle to the start position, characterised in that the blade honing station (28, 28a) has a plurality of co-operating honing heads (30, 32) which are designed to act on the cutting blade (26) one after another to hone the cutting edge (34) to completion progressively in a single passage.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the blade holder support (22, 22a) is provided with a blade alignment end stop (36) at the introductory end of the honing head station and is positioned vertically to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus (10, 10a).
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the blade holder support (22, 22a) is provided with a blade adjusting jig (40).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that the blade adjusting jig (40) is aligned at an small angle inclined to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus (10, 10a).
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the blade adjusting jig (40) is provided with a resilient blade edge contact bar (124) in order to be able to align the cutting edge (34) of the blade (26) at an appropriate angular position to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus (10, 10a).
6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the clamping devices (24) are compression clamps.
7. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the blade honing station (28) and the co-operating plurality of its blade honing heads have a leading blade honing head set (30, 32) and at least one trailing blade honing head set (30, 32).
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the leading blade honing head set (30, 32) has an upper blade honing head (30) and a lower blade honing head (32).
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the at least one trailing blade honing head set (30, 32) has an upper blade honing head (30) and a lower blade honing head (32).
10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the leading, upper blade honing head (30) and the leading, lower blade honing head (32) are provided in each case with an abrasive sheet with a honing medium.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the trailing, upper blade honing head (30) and the trailing, lower blade honing head (32) is provided in each case with an abrasive sheet with progressively finer honing medium.
12. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the co-operating plurality of blade honing heads (30, 32) have drives for executing an circular honing movement.
13. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the blade honing station (28) is mounted to be fixed on the support frame (12) and the blade holder support (22) is designed to be movable cyclically with respect to the blade honing station (28).
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that the blade adjusting jig (40) is attached pivotably to the support frame (12).
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the device for cyclic displacement of the movable blade holder support (22) has a pneumatically driven piston (54).
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the pneumatically driven piston (54) is connected to the movable blade holder support (22) by means of a cable (52).
17. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the blade holder support (22a) is mounted to be fixed to the support frame (12) and the blade honing station (28a) is designed to be movable cyclically with respect to the blade holder support (22a).
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the blade adjusting jig (40) is designed to be movable vertically up and down on the support frame (12).
19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the device for cyclic displacement of the movable blade honing station (28a) has a pneumatically driven piston (54).
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterised in that the pneumatically driven piston (54) is connected to the movable blade honing station (28a) by a cable.
21. Process for honing elongated, straight-edged cutting blades by means of a device according to claims 1 to 20, wherein

    a cutting blade (26) is aligned and tightened on the blade holder support (22, 22a),

    either the blade holder support (22) or the blade honing station (28a) is moved from a starting position in the longitudinal direction relative to the fixed blade honing station (28) or to the fixed blade holder support (22a) into an end station,

    wherein the cutting blade (26) passes a plurality of co-operating honing heads (30, 32) and the cutting edge is honed to completion in a single passage from the top and bottom, and then the upper and lower honing heads (30, 32) are spread away from one another and the movable blade holder support (22) or the movable blade honing station (28a) is driven back to its starting position.

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