Apparatus and methods for abrading a work piece

A rotary coupler for coupling an abrading wheel to a spindle having a longitudinal channel for receiving a fluid, the rotary coupler comprising:

• a driver hub configured to be mounted to the spindle, said driver hub comprising a plurality of fluid distribution channels configured for fluid communication with the longitudinal channel of the spindle;
• a universal joint mounted to said driver hub, said universal joint comprising a plurality of passageways, each passageway in fluid communication with one of said plurality of fluid distribution channels;
• and
• a housing mounted to said universal joint and configured for attachment to the abrading wheel.

A method for abrading a work piece using an abrading apparatus having an upper abrading wheel and a lower abrading wheel, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a work piece on the lower abrading wheel;
• moving a carriage member vertically downward along at least two vertical support members disposed in a plane, said carriage member supporting a spindle disposed outside said plane and coupled coaxially to the upper abrading wheel;
• contacting the work piece with a working surface of the upper abrading wheel;
• rotating said spindle and the upper abrading wheel;
• rotating the lower abrading wheel;
• urging a coolant through a longitudinal channel disposed within said spindle and through a plurality of conduits disposed within said upper abrading wheel and in fluid communication with said longitudinal channel so that said coolant is delivered to said working surface of the upper abrading wheel;
• and
• moving said carriage member vertically upward along said at least two vertically disposed support members.

An apparatus for abrading a work piece, the apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• two support members fixedly attached to said base and extending vertically from said base, said two support members disposed a distance from each other in a plane;
• a carriage member slidably mounted to said at least two support members and at least partially extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said plane;
• at least one vertical drive means for reciprocating said carriage member vertically along said at least two support members;
• a spindle supported by said carriage member and disposed outside said plane, said spindle configured to rotate about a central axis, wherein said spindle has a longitudinal channel that is configured to receive a fluid;
• a rotary drive means for rotating said spindle about said central axis;
• a lower abrading wheel assembly disposed partially within said base, said lower abrading wheel assembly comprising a lower abrading wheel with a first working surface;
• an upper abrading wheel assembly comprising an upper abrading wheel having a second working surface, said second working surface of said upper abrading wheel disposed parallel to and in vertical opposition to said first working surface of said lower abrading wheel, wherein said upper abrading wheel assembly comprises a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with said longitudinal channel of said spindle and configured to distribute a fluid to said second working surface.

An apparatus for abrading a work piece, the apparatus comprising:

• two support members disposed in a plane;
• a carriage member slidably mounted to said two support members;
• at least one vertical drive mechanism configured to reciprocate said carriage assembly in a vertical direction along said at least two support members;
• a spindle rotationally mounted to said carriage member and disposed outside of said plane, said spindle configured to rotate about a central axis;
• an upper abrading wheel assembly coupled to said spindle, said upper abrading wheel assembly comprising an upper abrading wheel having a first working surface;
• and
• a lower abrading wheel having a second working surface, said second working surface of said lower abrading wheel disposed parallel to and in vertical opposition to said first working surface of said upper abrading wheel.