EP0161748A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Improved microfinishing apparatus and method
Assignee: Industrial Metal Products Corp
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Filing: 1985-03-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A microfinishing apparatus and method is disclosed particularly useful for microfinishing workpiece surfaces such as are found in journal bearings and cylinder bores. This invention improves over conventional machines and methods wherein coated abrasive tape is brought into contact with a relatively rotating workpiece surface and is pressed against that surface by an elastomeric plastic insert. According to this invention, the insert is made from a relatively rigid substance such as honing material stone. Since the insert is made from a rigid material, the insert surface shape is generated in the workpiece surface and therefore geometry corrections in the workpiece surface can be accomplished. In alternate embodiments of this invention, the rigid inserts have relieved portions or noncylindrical surfaces such that a desired surface profile in the workpiece surface is generated. In another embodiment, one or more flexible inserts are added to the rigid insert enabling the fillet radius area to be microfinished. In yet another embodiment, coated abrasive tape includes a multiplicity of perforations thereby permitting the exchange of cutting fluids between the surfaces. Finally, several means for supporting the rigid inserts for slight rotation relative to the workpiece surface are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Earl Judge, Jr.
- 👤 Arthur George Reiser
- 👤 Norman Roy Judge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:15
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B5/00; B24B5/36; B24B5/42; B24B21/00; B24B21/02; B24B35/00; B24D; B24D3/00; B24D3/001; B24D3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece, said machine using coated abrasive tape as the machining agent, comprising: means for rotating said workpiece, a shoe assembly having means for attaching said tape and having at least one rigid insert which presses said tape into contact with said workpiece surface, and an arm which supports said shoe assembly such that relative movement between said workpiece surface and said tape occurs as said workpiece is rotated relative to said tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece, said machine using coated abrasive tape as the machining agent, comprising: means for rotating said workpiece, a shoe assembly having means for attaching said tape and having at least one rigid insert which presses said tape into contact with said workpiece surface, and an arm which supports said shoe assembly such that relative movement between said workpiece surface and said tape occurs as said workpiece is rotated relative to said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece according to Claim 1, wherein said rigid insert is mounted to said shoe assembly by a mounting pin such that slight relative rotation of said rigid insert with respect to said shoe assembly is permitted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpieoe according to Claim 1, wherein said rigid insert is mounted to said shoe assembly and said shoe assembly is mounted for rotation about a mounting pin such that slight relative rotation of said shoe assembly with respect to said workpiece is permitted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece according to Claim 1, wherein said rigid insert is composed of honing stone material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece according to Claim 1, wherein said rigid insert has a hardness exceeding 90 Durometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece according to Claim 1, wherein said machine is useful for microfinishing outside surfaces of workpieces and wherein said insert forms a predetermined surface shape which relates to the desired workpiece surface shape, said insert surface pressing said tape into contact with said workpiece surface whereby said workpiece surface is caused to conform to the shape of said insert surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The machine according to Claim 6 wherein said shoe assembly includes upper and lower shoe portions, each of said portions having at least one rigid insert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The machine according to Claim 6 wherein all portions of said insert surface extend over the same circumferential distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine according to Claim 6 wherein said insert surface extends over greater circumferential distances at its lateral ends such that more material is removed from selected areas of said workpiece surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine according to Claim 6 wherein said insert surface is shaped having cylindrical segments of varying radius, thereby forming a desired profile shape in said workpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The machine according to Claim 6 wherein said workpiece surfaces terminate laterally with radially outwardly projecting surfaces thereby forming a fillet radius therebetween, said rigid insert further including at least one elastomeric insert mounted adjacent said rigid insert which presses said tape into contact with said fillet radius.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The machine according to Claim 6 further comprising, one or more second inserts made from an elastic material having a lateral width greater said rigid insert, said second insert applying a compressive force against radially outwardly projecting surfaces of said workpiece and thereby finishing said surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The machine according to Claim 12 further comprising, resilient mounting means for said second insert which becomes deflected as said shoe assembly is moved to its extreme lateral positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine of the type wherein said insert presses coated abrasive tape against a workpiece surface as said tape moves relative to said workpiece surface, comprising: said insert having a predetermined surface shape related to the desired workpiece surface shape, said insert made from a rigid material which does not conform to the surface shape of said workpiece surface, whereby said insert causes said desired workpiece shape to be machined on said workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine of the type wherein said insert presses coated abrasive tape against a workpiece surface as said tape moves relative to said workpiece surface, comprising: said insert having a predetermined surface shape related to the desired workpiece surface shape, said insert made from a rigid material which does not conform to the surface shape of said workpiece surface, whereby said insert causes said desired workpiece shape to be machined on said workpiece.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine according to Claim 14, wherein said insert is made from stone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The insert for a microfinishing machine according to Claim 15, wherein said insert has a hardness exceeding 90 Durometer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine of the type according to Claim 14 wherein said insert presses coated abrasive tape against a substantially cylindrical workpiece surface, said insert forming a surface which defines a partial of a cylinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine according to Claim 17, wherein all portions of said insert surface extend along the same circumferential distance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The insert according to Claim 14 wherein portions of said insert surface extend along greater circumferential distances than other portions of said insert surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The insert according to Claim 17 wherein said insert surface is shaped having cylindrical surfaces of varying radius.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of microfinishing a workpiece surface which comprises the steps of rotating said workpieoe and, causing an insert to press a coated abrasive tape against said workpiece surface, said insert having a predetermined surface shape related to the desired workpieoe surface, said insert being rigid whereby said insert does not conform to the surface shape of said workpiece surface, whereby a desired workpiece surface is generated in said workpiece surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of microfinishing a workpiece surface which comprises the steps of rotating said workpieoe and, causing an insert to press a coated abrasive tape against said workpiece surface, said insert having a predetermined surface shape related to the desired workpieoe surface, said insert being rigid whereby said insert does not conform to the surface shape of said workpiece surface, whereby a desired workpiece surface is generated in said workpiece surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to Claim 21 wherein said insert has a hardness exceeding 90 Durareter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to Claim 21 further comprising the step of causing a second elastomeric insert to press said coated abrasive tape against said workpieoe surface and against the radially outwardly projecting surfaces of said workpiece.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to Claim 21 further comprising the step of moving said insert laterally as said workpiece is rotated.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine for microfinishing a surface of a workpiece according to Claim 1 wherein said rigid insert is composed of a metal having a roughened surface which presses against said workpiece surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
An insert for a microfinishing machine according to Claim 14 wherein said insert is composed of a metal having a roughened surface which presses against said workpiece surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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