US1262217A - Automatic diamond cutting and polishing machine. - Google Patents

Description

E. LEPERRE.

AUTOMATIC DIAMOND CUTTING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. I913- l fifi m 7D I Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I I l 11% E. LERERRE. AUTOMATIC DIAMOND CUTTING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.'20| I913.

1362 2170 Patented Apr. 9, 19m

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. LEPER .v

AUTOMATIC DIAMOND CUTTIN LISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED .1913. 1,,%2,21 7o Patented Apr. 9,1918..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E.LEPERRE.

AUTOMATIC DIAMOND-CUTTING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED on. 20. 1913.

1 262 21 70 Patented. Apr. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ran erars Parana @FFTE EMILE LEIEEBRE, 0F BERCI-IEM ANTWEBP, BELGIUM.

AUTOMATIC DIAMOND CUTTING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

I Be it known that I, EMILE LEPERRE, en gineer, a subjectof the King of the Belgians, and resident of 46 Rue du Champ, Berchem-Antwerp, Belgium, have invented a certain new and useful Automatic Diamond Cutting and Polishing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cutting diamonds in which the diamond is carried by a stick or holder which can be adjusted at varying angles to the plane of the cutting surface on the wheel or lap for the cutting of facets on the stone in varying positions and can be adjusted about its own axis for the cutting of series of such facets.

. The invention has for its objects to provide an improved machine the operation of which is largely automatic, thus reducing the cost of labor, while at the same time the diamonds can be cut with the maximum of symmetry. The machine is such that it can be used for the cutting of diamonds which hitherto it was found impossible to cut.

According to the invention means are provided for indicating mechanically the progress of the cutting operation, consisting of a micrometer mounted under the action of a spring and held in position by an adjustable abutment maintained in determined relation to the diamond, in such manner that, when the thickness of the diamond diminishes during the cutting operation, the abutment is moved accordingly and permits the micrometer to move under th action of its spring. r

Accordingto the invention, also, the micrometer may be provided as a body with a graduated disk carrying a cursor or slider which can be adjusted according to the thickness-which is required to be removed from the 'diamond.

According to the invention, also, the

diamond is withdrawn automatically from the cutting wheel orlap when. a-facet has acquired the ,size determined by. the mi crometenf The dop is mounted upon a carrier which is reciprocated togive the dop a similar movement in a. direction parallel to the plane of the cutting surface at the point Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application fied October 20, 1913. Serial No. 796,323.

of contact of the diamond with the said surface. On the completion of the cutting of a facet the adjustable cursor or slider of the micrometer closes the circuit of an velectromagnet or solenoid which thereupon moves an obstructing member into the path of a projecting member on the dop carrier. The said members are so formed that in the reciprocation of the dop carrier or frame, the projecting member is forced below the obstructing member and thus carries the dop carrier to an inoperative position where it reached the size of the first facet.

According to the invention the dop is mounted upon the carrier through the medium of a member having a truncatedcone portion adapted to fit into a corresponding seating in the carrier, the diamond being maintained always on the axis of the cone. Thus it is possible completely to rotate the diamond while it is beingcut without withdrawing it from the cutting surface. In order however, that this may be possible for all positions of the dop, whatever its angle with respect to the cutting surface, the dop is formed with a sector adapted to fit in a corresponding groove or slot formed 1n the memberv having the I truncated cone in such manner that the axis of the dop can'be placed at different angles while the diamond is maintained at the axis of the cone.

According to'the inventiomalso, the'combination of adop mounted in the manner described with. the micrometer mechanism permits the best direction for cutting a diamond to be readily and. accurately j detercenter of curvature ofthe sector and onfthe mined as it is only necessary, after having adjusted the micrometer, to rotate the diamond about the cone axis of the dop mountmg until it is in a position in which the micrometer is observed to move most rapidly.

There are many diamonds, known as naths, which are composed of several crystals-bound together and these cannot be cut by the most experienced craftsmen with the means usually employed. With the mechanism according to the invention it is not necessary to know the structure of the stone, the direction in which it should be out being determined automatically, while the cutting can be effected with as much ease in one direction or another without altering the adj ustment of the mechanism.

According to the invention, also, the diamond can be completely finished with only two settings. This is due to the particular mechanism provided for holding the diamond in position. The dop is provided with eight holes or seatings in which can be inserted claws in the form of feet adapted to engage the sides of the diamond, three claws su cing to maintain the diamond rigidly in position so that it is always possible to remove a claw from a particular part of the diamond which it may be desired to out. In this way the upper and lower sides of the diamond can be out without removing it from the dop. Again, a single claw may be employed adapted to press upon the table of the diamond, such claw being mounted adjacent the dop in such manner as to move with the dop when its axis is moved while permitting independent rotation of the dop about its axis for the cutting of the facets at the side of the table of the diamond.

In order to make the explanation given hereafter as clear as possible there are annexed drawings which show one form of the machine provided according to the invention', such machine being provided with a cylindrical cutting wheel or lap, which is preferable to the usual disk or plate lap.

Figure 1 isa general view of the machine,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the block,

Fig. 3 is a front view of the block,

F igs. 1 and 1 show details of the regulating d'evice,

' ig. 5 shows details of the pressure regu- 'lating device with the safety stop,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the block sup- P Fig. 7 is a section of the dop,

Fig. 8 is a semi-development of the dop dividing-plate,

Fig. 9" is a plan view of the top of the dop,

Fig. 10 shows details of the claws,

Fig. 11 is a plan View of the Vernier serving to regulate the height of'the sleeve 43.

' The wheel 1 (Fig. 1) revolves at a speed of about 2,000 revolutions per minute. The inner peripheral face thereof is coated with diamond powder. During cutting the diamond held by the block 2 is constantly pressed against the inner peripheral face of the cylindrical wheel 1.

The block 2, the various members of which are hereinafter described, slides in a groove provided in the block support 6. The slots in the block support 6 are shown in Fig. 6. Reciprocating motion is imparted to the block 2 by means of the helicoidal slot 11 in the bush 12 forming a cam.

The cam 12 revlove's at the rate of about 25 revolutions per minute on the shaft 13.

The cam 12 is secured in position upon the shaft-13 by means of collars 1 1 and 1 1.

The shafts 13 and 13 are mounted in bearings 15 and 15.

The bearings of the wheel 1 are arranged at the inner ends of the shafts 13 and 13.

The roller 16 can be disengaged from the slot 11 so as to be able to slide the cam and collars ofi the shaft and remove the dop 7 from the machine (Fig. 2).

The diamond 17 (Figs. 7 and 9) placed in the cup 18 is secured in position by means of claws 19 for cutting the table and the lower face of the diamond, and by means of ;he claw 20 (Fig. 10) for cutting the other acets.

It is' possible to completely out the diamond by securing the same .in position by means of the claws 19 only.

The claws 19 serve for the purpose of keeping the stone in position during cutting so that in order to be able to cut, the diamond completely it is only necessary to re-adjust the stone once that is to say for the purpose of cutting the pavilion or lower face of the diamond. To effect this the dop is provided wit-h eight holes drilled at equal distances within which the claws 19 can be securely mounted. These claws secure the stone to be cut in position by pressing against the edges thereof but, if desired, another claw 20 may be substituted which secures the stone by pressin against the table.

The op 7 is capable of revolving on its axis within the limits of the sector 2 The inner member 52 (Fig. 7) ofthe dop is capable of being displaced eccentrically to the axis of the outer member 53 of the dop. The sector 21 (Fig. 3) is capableof sliding in a slot provided in a bent part 22, so that. it is possible to dispose the axis of-the dop at various angles while keeping the diamond in the center of the radius of the sector 21.

A graduated plate 23 shows the degree of inclination of the dop.

Underneath the dop there is arranged a each acet "of the diamond by placing the line corresponding to each facet exactly opgraduated ring 8 which is capable of being posite the pointer 24. A screw 25 serves to clamp the sector 21 to the member 22.

The whole of the dop and of the cylindrical part 22 can be easily removed from the dop frame 26, and be replaced in position by introducing the cone of the sector support 22 into a conical opening provided on the frame 26.

The frame 26 is movable on a fixed plate 27.

Two ball bearings 28 and 28 guide the motion of the frame26 on the fixed plate 27.

A spiral spring 29 constantly tends to press the frame 26 away from the plate 27 and consequently to press the diamond against the wheel.

The spring 29 (Fig. 5) is arranged in a threaded bush. A milled nut 31 enables the pressure ofv the spring 29 to be regulated. A rack 32 (Fig. 2) serves to support the frame 26 when the diamond is moved away from the wheel.

A facet regulator or micrometer (Figs.

4 and 4*) is arranged within the members 26 and 27. The said micrometer consists of a graduated disk 34 formed integral with a hollow screw 33 which is screwed into the plate 27.

A torsion spring 35 arranged within the screwed sleeve 33 tends to unscrew the latter (33). The screw 36 secures one of the ends of spring 35 to the plate 27 while a screw 37 secures the outer end of the spring 35 to the disk 34. l

The milled nut 39 serves to adjust the recoil spindle 38.

An index stop 40 (Fig. 4 is adjustably secured to the disk 34 and a projection thereon can contact with a stop at the end of an insulating plate 41, mounted on the plate 27 and electrically insulated from the latter.

Within the members 26 and 27 there is also arranged an adjustable safety catch 65 (Fig. 5). I

A spindle 42 has its lower end secured 'to the plate 27, while the other end is threaded. A bush or sleeve spindle 42. I

1The roller 44 serves to adjust the height of the sleeve 43. The head of the latter sleeve can contact with the shoulder 45 of the frame 26. On the side of the frame 26 there is arranged a roller 46 (Fig. 3).

Qn the member6 (Fig. 3) opposite the roller 46 there is mounted an electro-magnet 43 is screwed on the 47 which is capable of being displaced and adjustedin relation to the length d the height of'the block 2; j v j The'core 48' of the electrmmagnet" pro- 4 jects partly from the solenoid 49 by means 'of the spring 50. 1 51 of the core 48 is made of v The end copper.

catch 55 engaging a rack 32 so as to sup port the frame 26 when the diamond has i been moved away from the cutting surface of the wheel.

Automatic cutting takes place as follows:

The diamond is placed table upward in the cup 18 and secured in position by means of the claws 19; after having adjusted the sector 21 at the zero position, that is to say, so that the axis of the dop shall be in alinement with that of the cone 54 of the bent sector support 22, the dop is placed in position by introducing the cone 54into the conical opening in the frame of the block 2.

The dop is then lowered by pressing on the member 26. The catch 55 then engages one of the notches of the rack 32 and thus supports the member 26.

After having introduced the diamond into the wheel 1, the roller 16 is placed in the slot 11 of the cam 12 in order to impart to the block 2 a reciprocating motion; the catch 55 is then disengaged and owing to the pressure of the spring 56 .the diamond is pressed against the wheel and the recoil spindle 38 is adjusted so that after having screwed down the disk 34 by about one revolution corresponding to. a distance of 1 mm. equal to the distance between each of the threads 33, the disk can only be raised by the spring 35 to the extent of one half-revolution.

The torsion of the spring 35 is not strong enough to overcome the pressure of the spring 56 which raises the recoil spindle 58 until the latter is stopped by the pin 57 on the spindle or sleeve 58; the pin 57 engaging the closed end of a slot provided in the recoil spindle 38.

While the diamond is being cut, the mem ber 26 gradually rises from the member 27, while the micrometer disk 34 owing to the action of the spring 35 slowly revolves, the index stop 40 approaches the stop 41 (Fig. 4 1

The circumference of the micrometer disk '34 is divided into 200 equal parts; therefore when the index slider has approached the stop 41 to the extent of one division, a thickness of th of 2. mm. will have been taken off the diamond. j j

When starting to cut a facet, the distance between the index slider 40 and the stop 41 is adjusted according to the amount to be taken'off the diamond.

In order to find the best direction for cutting, the sector support 22 (Fig.3) is slowly rotated until the index slider 40 approachesclose to the stop 41.

The electro-magnet 47 is adjustedso that the end 51 of the core is about 2 mm. lower than the top peripheral edge .ofthe roller 46.

'VVhen the index slider 40 contacts with the diamond is of the required size, an electric circuit passing through the solenoid 49 is closed. The copper end 51 of the mildiron core 48 projects either in the path of or clear of the roller 46, according to whether the electric circuit is completed or not.

Through the reciprocating motion imparted to the block 2, the latter causes the roller. 46 to pass underneath the end 51 of the core, the latter being lower thanthe and remains out of contact therewith owing to the catch 55 engaging a notch of the rack 32.

The table of the diamond being completed, the dop is placed. at a suitable angle, according to the thickness of the stone. One of the claws 19 securing the diamond is then removed and the dop 7 is turned on its axis so that the side of the diamond from "which the claw was removed can be placed against the wheel. 1

For the purposeof cutting a fairly large diamond the claw 20 may be used by securing the point thereof on to the table of the stone, the claws 19 not being then required. Tlfe claw 20 is arranged in a support 59 fixed on to the sector 21, so that the dop is the table. d

capable of rotating on its axis while allowing the claw to press on the diamond.

Since-the stone is arranged in alinement with the axis of the cone 54 of the member 22, the cutting of all the facets of stone is proceeded with in the .same manner as for The first side facet of the diamond being cut the desired size, the graduated ring 8 arranged on the dop 7 is turned so that one of its dividing lines 60 (Fig. 8) (which divide the ring in eight equal parts). is exactly opposite the index 24; the ring is then secured in position by means of the clamping screw 64.

Before startin the safety stop Fig. 5) is adjusted so that contacts withQthe shoulder at the top of the.

the frame 26 cannot'eontinue to ascendwhen the index slider 40;;contact s against the stop 41. The safety stop is -ad usted by pressing down the sleeve 43 s'o-that the shoulder 45 sleeve 43 when the index slider 40 touches the contact 41.- Should the contact 41 be-- come clogged and thus preventing'the closing of thesolenoid circuit the stone cannot be removed from the cutting surface, the

safety stop prevents the stone from being out further when the faet is'of the required size.

- r In order to cutthefsecondside facet, the

dop is turned 4th and the process is the same as forthe firstone, and as the first. eight to cut the second facet,

facets (called corners,) have to be exactl allke, 1t is no longer necessary to make ad justment until the table of the diamond has vision-lines 60 and therefore divide the ring into 16 equal parts, are placed opposite the pointer 24, and the process is the same, as for corners.

The sixteen dividing lines 62 in the center of the divisions formed by one dividing line 60 and one dividing line 61 and which therefore divide the ring in thirty-two equal parts serve to guide the cutting of facets called"fences.

Should the diamond not be set accurately in the center of dop; in order to prevent its having to be loosened the member 52 is capable of being moved eccentrically in order What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a diamond cutting machine, a stone support, a cutting surface, a carrier on which said support is mounted, spring means cooperating between said carrier and said support to press said support toward said cutting surface and indicating means forming a part of said spring means whereby the rate and extent of movement of toward said cutting surface may be determined. I

2. In a diamond cutting'machine, a carrier, a worm carried thereon, a spring cooperating between said carrier and said worm to advance said worm, a cutting surface, a stonev support mounted on said carrier worm to advance said worm,'a cutting surface, a stone support mounted on said carrier and adapted to be moved toward said cutting surface by the advance of said-worm, a scale wheel or micrometer attached to' to re-set the diamond in the axis of the dop.

said support said worm whereby the rate and extent of advance of said worm and support are indi-v cated and-means carried by said scale wheel for closing an electric circuit when it reaches a predetermined position.

4. In a diamond cutting machine, a cut-- ting surface, a carrier, a stone support o mounted on said carrier and capable of re ciprocal m'ovement thereon toward and from' said cutting surface, a spring on said carr er serving to press said support toward said cutting surface and a micrometer device interposed between said spring and said supto hold the stone to be out against s ting surface, a carrying element and means forming a part of one of said .elements and cooperating with the other of said elements for rotatably mounting said supporting element on an axis perpendicular to said cutting surface passing through the center of the stone to be cut when in position in said supporting element.

6. In a diamond cutting machine a cutting surface, a stone support,"a carrier for said support and means cooperating between said support and carrier whereby said support can be completely rotated while the cutting'operation is going on without movement of said support to or from said cutting surface.

7. In a diamond cutting machine a cutting surface, a stone support, a carrier provided with a conical recess, the axis of which is perpendicular to said cutting surface and a truncated conical extending portion forming a part of said support the axis of which is coincident with the axis of the stone when in' position on said support, said truncated portion and said recess forming means whereby said support may be completely rotated without movement to or from said cut-v ting surface.

8. A machine for cutting diamonds in which the progress of the cutting operation is indicated mechanically, comprlsing a micrometer, a movable abutment for the said micrometer and means by which the said micrometer is moved as the cutting operation proceeds, substantially as described.

9. A machine for cutting diamonds, in

\ which the .progress of the cutting operation is indicated mechanically, comprising a micrometer, consisting of a body carrying a graduated dlsk and a cursor or slider, means forthe adjustment of the cursor or slider ac-' cording to the thipkness which is required to be removed from the diamond,a movable abutment for the said micrometer and means by which the saidmicrometer is moved as the cutting operation proceeds, substantially as described.

10. A machine for cutting diamonds in which the progress of the cutting operation is indicated mechanically comprising a micrometer, a-movable abutmeiit for the said micrometer, means by which the said micrometer is moved as the cutting operation proceeds and automatic means for the recut- 1 ciprocation of the dop carrier by which a movement is imparted'to it parallel with the plane of the cutting surface at the point of contact of the diamond with the latter, substantially as described.

v 11. A machine for cutting diamonds in which the progress of the cutting operation is indicated mechanically, comprising a ceeds and means by which the diamond is withdrawn from the cutting wheel when a facet has acquired the size determined by the micrometer, substantially as described.

12. In a stone carrier for diamond cutting machines a stone support provided with recesses, and a stone holding claw provided with a cylindrical shank adapted to be inserted in one of said recesses and to be held therein by lateral presure produced by the pressure of the end of said claw against the stone to-be cut.

13. In a stone carrier for diamond cutting machines, a stone sup ort provided with a cup in which the stone to be cut is adapted -to be placed and recesses adjacent thereto being adapted to be inserted in one of said recesses and to be held therein by lateral ressure produced by the pressure of said oldin portion against the stone to be cut. 14:. n a stone carrier for diamond cutting machines, a stone support provided with 'a cup in which the stone to be cut is adapted to be placed, a rotatable mounting for said support the axis of rotation of said mounting being coincident with the axial dimension of said cup, and a stoneholding claw comprising a laterally extending holding portion resting when in position in a line with the axis of said rotatable mounting, and a cylindrical shank portion insertible in a recess provided in said support and held therein by lateral pressure produced by the pressure of said holding portion against the table of the stone to be cut.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMILE LEPERRE.

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