US 4,375,141 A · Beveling apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for quickly and efficiently beveling the edges of a workpiece such as a sheet of glass having at least two pairs of parallel sides, generally a square, without manual intervention during the process. The workpiece is positioned on a conveyor with the first pair of parallel sides parallel to the direction in which the conveyor moves the workpiece. Guides are provided for maintaining the angular orientation of the workpiece. The workpiece is conveyed sequentially through: a first grinding apparatus which grinds the first pair of parallel edges; a first turntable which rotates the workpiece through a precisely controlled angle to position the second pair of sides parallel to the direction of transport; a second grinding apparatus which grinds the second pair of parallel edges; a first polishing station which polishes the second pair of edges; a second turntable which rotates the workpiece through a precisely controlled angle so that the first pair of edges is again parallel to the direction of transport; and a second polishing station which polishes the first pair of edges. Coolants, lubricants, and polish are sprayed on the workpiece as necessary. The position of the grinders and polishers with respect to the conveyor are adjustable such that the angle and depth at which the workpiece edges are ground and polished can be selected. In addition, these adjustments permit compensation for wear of the grinding wheels and polishing wheels. The polishers further include ammeters connected to their motors which indirectly measure the pressure exerted on the workpiece by the polishing wheel. The turntables are pneumatically operated so as to lift the workpiece from the conveyor, rotate the workpiece through a precisely controllable angle, and return the workpiece to the conveyor in a short period of time. Other configurations of grinders, polishers, and turntables are also contemplated.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for grinding the edges of a workpiece having at least two pairs of parallel sides comprising:

a conveyor for transporting the workpiece through a series of sequential work stations;
first work station means for grinding the edges of a first pair of parallel sides of the workpiece when positioned parallel to the direction in which the workpiece is transported;
first means for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor, rotating the workpiece to position a second pair of parallel sides in a direction parallel to the direction in which the workpiece is transported, and lowering the workpiece back down to the conveyor;
second work station means for grinding the edges of the second pair of parallel sides;
third work station means for polishing the edges of the second pair of parallel sides;
second means for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor, rotating the workpiece to position the first pair of parallel sides in a direction parallel to the direction in which the workpiece is transported, and lowering the workpiece back down to the conveyor;
and
fourth work station means for polishing the edges of the first pair of parallel sides.

5 more elements

An apparatus for beveling the edges of a workpiece having at least two pairs of parallel edges comprising:

a conveyor for transporting the workpiece through the apparatus;
first grinding means for grinding the first pair of parallel edges of the workpiece, said grinding means including an adjustable positioning means for controlling the angle at which the grinding means grinds the workpiece, the depth to which the grinding means grinds the workpiece, and the distance of the grinding means from the conveyor;
first polishing means for polishing the first pair of parallel edges of the workpiece, said polishing means including an adjustable positioning means for controlling the angle at which the polishing means polishes the workpiece and the distance of the polishing means from the conveyor;
a turntable for rotating the workpiece about a vertical axis;
second grinding means for grinding the second pair of parallel edges of the workpiece, said grinding means including an adjustable positioning means for controlling the angle at which the grinding means grinds the workpiece, the depth to which the grinding means grinds the workpiece, and the distance of the grinding means from the conveyor;
and
second polishing means for polishing the second pair of parallel edges of the workpiece, said polishing means including an adjustable positioning means for controlling the angle at which the polishing means polishes the workpiece and the distance of the polishing means from the conveyor.

4 more elements

An apparatus for grinding the edges of a workpiece having at least two pairs of opposing sides comprising:

a conveyor for transporting the workpiece through a series of sequential work stations;
first work station means for grinding the edges of a first pair of opposing sides of the workpiece positioned in the general direction in which the workpiece is transported;
first rotating means for rotating the workpiece independent of the conveyor to position a second pair of opposing sides in the general direction in which the workpiece is transported and comprising a turntable;
second work station means for grinding the edges of a second pair of opposing sides of the workpiece positioned in the general direction in which the workpiece is transported;
second rotating means for rotating the workpiece independent of the conveyor to position said first pair of opposing sides in the general direction in which the workpiece is transported and comprising a turntable;
third work station means for polishing the edges of said first pair of opposing sides;
third rotating means for rotating the workpiece independent of the conveyor to position said second pair of opposing sides in the general direction in which the workpiece is transported and comprising a turntable;
and
fourth work station means for polishing the edges of the second pair of opposing sides.

6 more elements

An apparatus for grinding the edges of a workpiece having at least two pairs of opposing sides comprising:

a conveyor for transporting the workpiece through the apparatus;
first grinding means for grinding a first pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
first rotating means for rotating the workpiece through a specified angle, said rotating means comprising a means for sensing the arrival of a workpiece at the rotating means;
a lifting piston, responsive to the means for sensing, for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor when the workpiece is in position over the lifting piston;
means for determining when the workpiece has been lifted;
a rotation pad disposed above the lifting piston such that when the lifting piston lifts the workpiece, the workpiece comes into contact with the rotation pad;
a rotation piston for turning the rotation pad through a specified angle when the workpiece is in contact with the rotation pad;
and means for determining when the rotation piston has finished rotating the rotation pad and thereupon causing the lifting piston to lower the workpiece back into contact with the conveyor;
second grinding means for grinding a second pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
first polishing means for polishing the second pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
second rotating means for rotating the workpiece through a specified angle, said rotating means comprising a means for sensing the arrival of a workpiece at the rotating means;
a lifting piston, responsive to the means for sensing, for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor when the workpiece is in position over the lifting piston;
means for determining when the workpiece has been lifted;
a rotation pad disposed above the lifting piston such that when the lifting piston lifts the workpiece, the workpiece comes into contact with the rotation pad;
a rotation piston for turning the rotation pad through a specified angle when the workpiece is in contact with the rotation pad;
and means for determining when the rotation piston has finished rotating the rotation pad and thereupon causing the lifting piston to lower the workpiece back into contact with the conveyor;
and
second polishing means for polishing the first pair of opposing sides of the workpiece.

15 more elements

An apparatus for grinding the edges of a workpiece having at least two pairs of opposing sides comprising:

a conveyor for transporting the workpiece through the apparatus;
first grinding means for grinding a first pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
first rotating means for rotating the workpiece through a specified angle, said rotating means comprising a means for sensing the arrival of a workpiece at the rotating means;
a lifting piston, responsive to the means for sensing, for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor when the workpiece is in position over the lifting piston;
means for determining when the workpiece has been lifted;
a rotation pad disposed above the lifting piston such that when the lifting piston lifts the workpiece, the workpiece comes into contact with the rotation pad;
a rotation piston for turning the rotation pad through a specified angle when the workpiece is in contact with the rotation pad;
and means for determining when the rotation piston has finished rotating the rotation pad and thereupon causing the lifting piston to lower the workpiece back into contact with the conveyor;
second grinding means for grinding a second pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
second rotating means for rotating the workpiece through a specified angle, said rotating means comprising a means for sensing the arrival of a workpiece at the rotating means;
a lifting piston, responsive to the means for sensing, for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor when the workpiece is in position over the lifting position;
means for determining when the workpiece has been lifted;
a rotation pad disposed above the lifting piston such that when the lifting piston lifts the workpiece, the workpiece comes into contact with the rotation pad;
a rotation piston for turning the rotation pad through a specified angle when the workpiece is in contact with the rotation pad;
and means for determining when the rotation piston has finished rotating the rotation pad and thereupon causing the lifting piston to lower the workpiece back into contact with the conveyor;
first polishing means for polishing the first pair of opposing sides of the workpiece;
third rotating means for rotating the workpiece through a specified angle, said rotating means comprising a means for sensing the arrival of a workpiece at the rotating means;
a lifting piston, responsive to the means for sensing, for lifting the workpiece from the conveyor when the workpiece is in position over the lifting piston;
means for determining when the workpiece has been lifted;
a rotation pad disposed above the lifting piston such that when the lifting piston lifts the workpiece, the workpiece comes into contact with the rotation pad;
a rotation piston for turning the rotation pad through a specified angle when the workpiece is in contact with the rotation pad;
and means for determining when the rotation piston has finished rotating the rotation pad and thereupon causing the lifting piston to lower the workpiece back into contact with the conveyor;
and
second polishing means for polishing the second pair of opposing sides of the workpiece.

21 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Beveling apparatus

Life of this patent

Beveling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24