GB2148757A

GB2148757A - Abrasive surface finishing

Info

Publication number: GB2148757A
Application number: GB08425409A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Itzchak Lapsker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-07-30
Filing date: 1984-10-08
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB2148757B; GB8425409D0

Abstract

Apparatus for finishing a workpiece surface comprises rotatable resilient abrasive finishing elements 68 arranged for motion relative to the workpiece surface and in pressure engagement therewith. The finishing elements 68 are rotatably mounted in a housing 3 which may also be mounted for rotation, and are coupled by transmission means which cause the elements to move at different speeds or in opposite directions so that there is relative motion between the surface of at least one finishing element and the workpiece surface at the area of contact therebetween. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Abrasive Surface Finishing The present invention relates to surface finishing apparatus which provides grinding and polishing functions.

Conventional techniques for precision machining of metal surfaces require that a workpiece be subjected to a conventional machining operation in a first machine and then be transferred to a second machine for a precision grinding and polishing operation. The required use of at least two processing machines involving the transfer of the workpiece from one to the other adds significantly to the time and cost involved in precision surface finishing and limits the quality which can be achieved. It is therefore desired to provide apparatus which is capable of producing a precision finished surface while requiring the use of only a single machine tool having replaceable finishing elements.

The present invention provides apparatus for finishing a workpiece comprising a resilient abrasive finishing element arranged for motion relative to a workpiece surface and in pressure engagement therewith.

There is also provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention a method for finishing a workpiece comprising the steps of providing a finishing element including a volume of abrasivecontaining resilient material and causing the finishing element to move relativelyto a workpiece surface under pressure.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the resilient nature of the finishing element provides area rather than line contact between the finishing element and the workpiece surface during finishing operations under pressure.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial illustration of finishing apparatus according to the invention associated with a workpiece and mounted onto a rotary milling machine of conventional construction; Fig. 2 is a side view illustration of a finishing device constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the finishing device of Fig. 2; Fig. 4A is a bottom view illustration of an alternative embodiment of a finishing device; Fig. 4B is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of a finishing device; Fig. 5 is a detailed illustration of a portion of a finishing device; Fig. 6 is a partially cut away illustration of a finishing device;; Figs. 7, 8 and 9 each illustrate an embodiment of a finishing element; Fig. 1 OA is a sectional side view illustration of a finishing device useful with a lathe or other turning machine; Fig. 108 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1 OA taken in a direction indicated by an arrow B; Fig. 11 is a side view of a finishing tool for the interior surface of a workpiece, and Figs. 12Aand 12B illustrate two alternative mounting orientations for an adjustably positionable finishing tool constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide finishing apparatus which may be employed selectably for grinding and polishing by suitable selection of the characteristics of the resilient abrasive finishing element. When used for polishing or grinding, sufficient pressure is provided such that the finishing element is compressed by approximately 3300 microns thereby producing an area rather than line contact between the finishing element and the workpiece surface. Such a polishing technique provides a reduction of approximately 0.0005 mm and provides an extremely high quality surface finish of the order of between 16 and 2 microinch r.m.s., and preferably up to 4-2 microinch r.m.s.

Such a grinding technique provides a reduction of approximately 550 microns.

It is appreciated that the finishing element in one embodiment of the invention undergoes a complex motion with respect to the workpiece which greatly adds to the quality of the surface finish. This complex motion comprises the rotation of the housing or base onto which the finishing element is mounted, the rotation of each finishing element about its own axis and the motion of the workpiece on a moveable table relative to the polishing element. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the finishing technique includes rotation of the base or housing in opposite directions which may correspond to opposite directions of the workpiece movement on the moving table.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates finishing apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in operative association with a conventional milling machine for rotational engagement under pressure with a workpiece. The finishing apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral 1 and comprises a body portion 3 and a shank portion 5 which is insertable into the chuck of the milling machine 7 for rotation selectably in opposite directions about the spindle axis I-I of the milling machine. The workpiece, 64, is preferably mounted on a movable table 65 associated with the milling machine. Normally the finishing apparatus is rotated initially in a first direction while the movable table moves in a first longitudinal direction.

Thereafter, as the table returns in an opposite direction, the rotation of the finishing apparatus may be in an opposite direction. This two direction capability provides evenly, randomly directly finishing marks.

The pressure engagement of the finishing apparatus with the workpiece surface is illustrated in Fig. 1 by the extent 67 to which the finishing element indicated by reference numeral 68 is compressed when it engaged the workpiece surface. As noted above, this compression is approximately 30--300 microns. Preferably the pressure is exerted perpendicular to the workpiece surface.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2 and 3 which illustrate the finishing apparatus of the present invention in greater detail. The apparatus comprises a housing base 71 which is fixedly attached to a shank 73 and supports a housing top portion 74 and bottom portion 76. Disposed mainly within the housing are a pair of finishing elements 75, typically in the form of annular disks. Elements 75 are mounted rigidly onto respective axles 77 which in turn are bearing mounted within the housing for relatively free rotation with respect thereto. The axes of rotation of both finishing elements 75 are identical and intersect with the axis of rotation of the housing indicated by reference numeral 79, as seen in Fig. 3.

It is a particular feature of the present embodiment that housing top and bottom portions 74 and 76 together define means for collecting particulate matter which is produced as the result of the wearing down of the resilientfinishing elements.

As seen in Fig. 3, the finishing elements 75 are disposed mainly above the bottom surface of bottom housing portion 76 and only a portion thereof extends outside of the housing, through openings 81 formed in the bottom surface.

Openings 81 are constructed to be of as small an area as possible and therefore have a width only slightly greater than that of the finishing elements, sufficient to prevent interference with the free rotation thereof. The length of the openings is less than the diameter of the finishing elements. Thus particulate matter generated in a finishing operation from wear of the finishing element is gathered into the interior of the housing bottom portion 76 so as notto interfere with the finishing and notto provide uneven results and cause damage to the apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated schematically in Fig. 4A, the axes of rotation of the finishing elements 75 are offset from each other and do not intersect axis 79.

This non-intersection feature provides an additional vector moment of motion between the finishing element and the workpiece surface when housing base 71 is driven in rotary pressurized motion relative to the workpiece surface.

Fig. 4B illustrates finishing apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 4A. Here finishing elements 80 and 82 are not mounted for independent free rotation relative to the housing 84, as in Fig. 4A but rather are interconnected by a transmission 86, typically comprising an odd or even number of gears. An even number of gears comprising gears 88, 90, 82 and 94, for example, is preferred since it provides rotation of elements 80 and 82 in respective opposite directions for enhanced finishing action. It is noted that finishing elements 80 and 82 are offset by different amounts from the rotation axis 96 of the housing, thus producing different speeds of rotation in the finishing elements, were the elements not connected by a fixed transmission.It is appreciated that the transmission may be constructed such that a nonunitary fixed ratio of speeds is maintained between the two finishing elements. The two finishing elements may be constructed to be of different widths and to have differing abrasive characteristics.

Fig. 5 illustrates a preferred construction of a portion of the bottom housing portion 76 wherein a recess 85 is defined at the inner periphery of the portion 76 for collection of particulate matter along the outermost portions of the interior of the housing under the influence of centrifugal forces produced by the high speed rotation of the housing during operation. Portions 87 of the housing bottom surface adjacent the finishing elements are bent upwardly to define a barrierfor preventing, insofar as possible, particulate matter from escaping from the housing. The bottom portion 76 is constructed to be removable for easy cleaning.

A further development of the apparatus of Fig. 5 is illustrated in Fig. 6 and comprises a housing wherein the bottom portion 53 thereof is selectably positionable relative to finishing elements 75 in order to compensate for wear therein, and the resulting significant decrease in their diameter.

Bottom portion 53 is spring mounted onto the housing base 71 by means of a pair of bent leaf springs 55 and is secured to the housing base by means of a screw fastener 57. The extent to which the screw fastener 57 is inserted into a corresponding socket 59 formed in the housing base 71 determines the relative disposition of the bottom surface of the bottom portion 53.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate different embodiments of finishing elements constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The element of Fig. 7 is of generally annular configuration having a truncated conical cross section of increasing width with decreasing radius and is formed of a resilient material, typically rubber based, having abrasive material, typically in the form of grains, dispersed therein throughout the usable volume thereof. The configuration of Fig. 7 is designed to maintain the operating characteristics of the element generally constant notwithstanding wearing down and consequent reduction of the diameter of the element during use. Thus, as the element is worn down, the same effective width and pressure is applied to the workpiece surface.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative form of finishing element comprising an outer annular ring 61 of generally uniform resilient abrasive material of the type described in connection with Fig. 7, preferably with a resiliency greater than 75 of the Shore scale.

The inner core 63 may be constructed of natural rubber, for example, for use in polishing applications. For use in grinding applications, however, the inner core 63 should be formed of metal or hard plastic or similar material to provide precision mounting of the element on a mounting shaft, for accurate grinding. It is appreciated that when the finishing elements of the type described herein are used for grinding, the resiliency will be less than in polishing applications and the abrasive will be substantially rougher.

Fig. 9 illustrates the use of a conically shaped finishing element of generally uniform resilient abrasive composition. In the illustrated embodiment, the element is arranged such that its radius about its axis Il-Il of rotation increases with an increasing distance from the axis I-I of rotation of the housing. Thus the element is particularly suited for finishing of interior corners. Alternatively the finishing element of Fig. 9 may be oriented oppositely such that its radius about its axis Il-Il of rotation decreases with an increasing distance from axis I-I. Thus the absolute value of the velocity of rotation at all points along the element is generally the same.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the finishing elements may comprise a relatively soft resilient elastic base formed with an abrasive outer surface. The base may be a resinoid, rubber or a porous polyurethane. The abrasive may comprise grains of diamond, borozone or silicone carbide, for example.

Reference is now made to Figs. 10A and 1 OB which show a finishing device constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and comprising a base 200 on which are mounted at least two finishing elements 210 and 211. Elements 210 and 211 are arranged so as to simultaneously contact a rotating workpiece 212 mounted for rotation on a conventional lathe such as a metal lathe. Base 200 is in turn rotatably mounted by means of mounting means 201 comprising a pin and sprocket 202 and a biasing spring 204 or similar suitable apparatus onto a tool holder 205 which may be inserted into a conventional tool holding clamp on the lathe.

Biasing spring 204 is operative to maintain the finishing elements in operative engagement with the workpiece surface.

Elements 201 and 211 are interconnected by a transmission typically comprising a pair of gears 209 which engage corresponding gears 213 and 215, having different numbers of teeth, which gears are mounted onto elements 210 and 211 respectively.

This arrangement insures that elements 210 and 211 move in respective opposite directions at different speeds against the workpiece, thus providing enhanced finishing action. Preferably the faster one of the finishing elements moves together with the workpiece in a generally non-slipping engagement, while the other moves against the workpiece surface. Alternatively elements 210 and 211 may be caused to move in the same direction at different speeds.

It is noted that the embodiment of Fig. 4B, for example, may be constructed with a similar transmission.

It is noted that finishing elements 210 and 211 are generally surrounded by a housing 220 which defines a collector for particulate matter produced by wearing down of the finishing elements. Housing 220 is designed to retain as much as possible of such particulate matter which is propelled inwardly thereto by the adjacent inward rotation of the finishing elements 210 and 211. Bottom and top edges 222 are disposed adjacent the finishing elements to discourage escape of the particulate matter.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 OB it is noted that the finishing elements 210 and 211 are located at one side of the apparatus at collector housing 220.

Adjacent thereto in the middie of the apparatus indicated by reference numeral 224, there are provided the mounting bearings for the finishing elements. At location 226, entirely sealed from the outside for safety, are provided the gears 209,213 and 215.

It is a particular feature of the present invention that the gear ratio of the transmission is selected such that the ratio of the surface speeds of finishing elements 210 to element 211 is at least 1.1.

It is noted that enhanced surface quality may be realized by moving the finishing apparatus transversely along the workpiece in opposite directions.

It is appreciated that the apparatus of Figs. 1 GA and 1 OB may be used also for finishing the flat end face of a surface of rotation mounted on a lathe by arranging the housing such that elements 210 lie against the flat face. A high quality finish on the surface of rotation may be realized by back and forth movement of the tool axially along the workpiece.

This is equivalent to operation of a milling machine in opposite directions in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Reference is now made to Fig. 11 which illustrates a finishing tool particularly suitable for the finishing of internal surfaces of a workpiece. A workpiece 300 having formed therein a bore 302, whose inner surface it is sought to finish, is secured in the chuck (not shown) of a conventional lathe for rotation about an axis 304. The finishing tool, indicated generally by reference numeral 310 comprises a tool holder 312 which is secured in an appropriate mounting socket (not shown) arranged on the lathe.

Afinishing assembly 313 is mounted onto tool holder 312 at a selectable angular disposition thereto by means of a securing bolt 314. Loosening of bolt 314 permits rotation of finishing assembly 313 relative to tool holder 312 to define a desired angle with axis 304. Spindle assembly 317 defines a mounting location 322 arranged symmetrically about axis 320. A selected finishing head 324 may be mounted at location 322 onto spindle assembly 317 for rotation about axis 320 and may be secured onto the spindle assembly by means of a retaining screw 326.

Finishing head 324 is arranged to have a tapered configuration defining a rectiliner generatrix 328. A tapered finishing head of truncated conical configuration is employed herein as illustrated.

It is noted that the finishing tool is a passive element and engages in a rolling-slipping motion against the workpiece as is the case in the embodiments of the invention described above.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1 2A and 1 2B which illustrate a spindle assembly 600 and associated tool holder mounting means 602 in alternative selectable positions with respect to a workpiece 604 mounted on a lathe (not shown). The mounting means comprises a pair of channels 606 and 608 angled with respect to each other by a predetermined amount, onto which a mounting element 607 fixedly attached to spindle assembly 600 may be selectably mounted for selectable angular disposition of the spindle assembly and the finishing head 610 with respect to the workpiece.

Fig. 1 2A indicates an orientation where the axes of rotation of the workpiece and of the finishing head lie in the same plane, while Fig. 12B illustrates an orientation wherein the two axes of rotation lie in different planes.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

1. Apparatus for finishing a workpiece surface comprising: a mounting member; and at least one resilient abrasive finishing element rotatably mounted on said mounting member for motion relative to said workpiece surface.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said finishing element defines a surface of rotation which engages said workpiece surface.

3. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims and wherein said finishing element comprises an annular body of resilient material having abrasive material uniformly imbedded therein.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 and wherein the body of abrasive imbedded resilient material extends along a majority of the overall radius of the finishing element.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said finishing element comprises a centre mounting portion of relatively rigid material.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said apparatus is operative to produce area contact as distinguished from line contact between said finishing element and the workpiece surface.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said finishing element is freely rotatable with respect to said mounting member, about at least one axis of rotation.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 and wherein said at least one axis comprises first and second axes, said mounting member being arranged for rotation about a first axis and said finishing element being arranged for rotation relative to said mounting member about a second axis.

9. A method according to Claim 8 and substantially as herein described.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 and wherein said first and second axes are non-intersecting.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising means for collecting particulate matter resulting from wear of said at least one finishing element.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 and wherein said means for collecting comprises a housing mounted onto said mounting means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 and wherein said at least one finishing element is disposed mainly within said housing and extends outwardly therefrom through generally rectangular openings formed therein at a bottom surface thereof.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 and wherein said apertures have a length which is less than the diameter of said at least one finishing element.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 and wherein said housing comprises a bottom surface which is selectably positionable with respect to the remainder of the housing.

15. Apparatus according to claim 11 and wherein said housing is configured to define a recess for collection of particulate matter produced during operation.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising means for providing pressure engagement between said at least one polishing element and said workpiece surface.

17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and also comprising means for providing rotation of said mounting member in opposite directions.

18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said apparatus provides a workpiece surface finish of 2-16 microinch r.m.s.

19. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and wherein said apparatus provides a workpiece surface finish of 24 microinch r.m.s.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one finishing element comprises a plurality of finishing elements, and also comprising transmission means coupled to said finishing elements for causing said finishing elements to move with respect to each other in a predetermined relationship.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 and wherein said transmission means is operative to cause said plurality of finishing elements to move at different surface speeds.

22. Apparatus according to either of claims 20 or 21 and wherein said plurality of finishing elements comprise at least two elements which move in opposite directions.

23. Apparatus according to either of claims 20--21 and wherein one of said finishing elements moves in non-slipping engagement with said workpiece while another of said finishing elements moves thereagainst.

24. Apparatus according to any of claims 2023 and wherein said mounting member also comprises means for collecting particulate matter resulting from wear of said finishing elements.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 20--24 and wherein said mounting means also comprises a biasing spring for maintaining said plurality of finishing elements in operative engagement with a workpiece surface.

26. A method of finishing a workpiece comprising the steps of employing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims to cause motion of a finishing element in pressure engagement with a workpiece surface.

27. Apparatus according to claim 20 and wherein the rotation of said plurality of finishing elements is provided solely by frictional engagement thereto with a moving workpiece.

28. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

29. A method according to Claim 26 and substantially as herein described.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-29 above have been deleted.

(b) New Claims have been Filed as follows:

1. Apparatus for finishing a workpiece surface, comprising: a mounting member,a plurality of resilient abrasive finishing elements rotatably mounted on said mounting member and at least one such element being for motion relative to said workpiece surface; and transmission means coupled to said finishing elements for causing said finishing elements to move with respect to each other in a predetermined relationship.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and wherein said transmission means is operative to cause said plurality of finishing elements to move at different surface speeds.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said plurality of finishing elements comprise at least two elements which move in opposite directions.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein one of said finishing elements moves in non-slipping engagement with said workpiece while another of said finishing elements moves thereagainst.

5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 14 and wherein said mounting member also comprises a biasing spring for maintaining said plurality of finishing elements in operative engagement with a workpiece surface.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and wherein the rotation of said plurality of finishing elements is provided solely by frictional engagement thereto with a moving workpiece.

7. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of finishing a workpiece comprising the steps of employing apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims 1-5 orto Claim 7 to cause motion of a finishing element in pressure engagement with a workpiece surface.