US 2001/0024931 A1 · Method and apparatus for polishing

Abstract

A method and machine for polishing, especially adapted for polishing fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components. The polishing machine includes a first stage having a first mounting member and a first staging member supported on the first mounting member for reciprocal movement along a first path; a second stage having a second mounting member supported on the first staging member and a second staging member supported on the second mounting member for reciprocal movement along a second path in angular relation to the first path; a polishing member mounted on the second staging member; and a drive mechanism operable to simultaneously reciprocate the first and second staging member along their respective paths so that the polishing member traces a predetermined pattern. The method of polishing involves reciprocating the first stage along its path, and reciprocating the second stage along its path in a predetermined timed relationship so that the polishing member traces the predetermined pattern. The subject invention enables the polishing member to be moved along a uniform and constant figure eight polishing pattern, which pattern is mechanically created and maintained during the polishing action. The method and apparatus are suited for simultaneously polishing a large number of fiber optic connectors or similar items.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A polishing machine, comprising:

a first stage including a first mounting member and a first staging member supported on the first mounting member for reciprocal movement along a first path,
a second stage including a second mounting member supported on the first staging member and a second staging member supported on the second mounting member for reciprocal movement along a second path in angular relation to the first path,
a polishing member mounted on the second staging member, and
a drive mechanism operable to simultaneously reciprocate the first and second staging members along their respective paths so that the polishing member traces a predetermined pattern.

1 more element

A machine for polishing fiber optic connectors, comprising:

a casing adapted to hold fiber optic connectors in positions to be polished,
an x-stage including a lower track mounted on the casing and an x-stage plate mounted on the lower track for reciprocal rectilinear movement along an x-axis,
a y-stage including an upper track mounted on the x-stage plate and an y-stage plate mounted on the upper track for reciprocal rectilinear movement along a y-axis perpendicular to the x-axis,
a polishing member mounted on the y-stage plate for engagement with such fiber optic connectors,
an x-pulley,
a y-pulley approximately one-half the diameter of the x-pulley,
connecting rods individually interconnecting the x- and y-pulleys so that rotation of the pulleys reciprocates the x- and y-stages and wherein the stroke of the x-stage plate is approximately twice the stroke of the y-stage plate,
a drive pulley approximately the same diameter as the x-pulley,
a timing belt interconnecting the pulleys so that upon rotation of the drive pulley the x- and y- pulleys are rotated thereby to reciprocate the x- and y-stage plates and move the polishing member in a figure eight pattern, and
a drive motor connected to the drive pulley.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for polishing

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for polishing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20