US 4,493,166 AGranted

Ultra precise tool forming apparatus

AssigneeZenith Electronics Corporation

InventorsHoward G. Lange, Francis M. Ray

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Abstract

This invention is concerned with ultra precise apparatus for forming a complex profiled face on a diamond tool blank. The apparatus comprises an abrading device in the form of a grinding wheel and a spindle means which includes a journal for supporting the grinding wheel. This journal is rotatably supported upon an air bearing. A platform, supported for rotation about a vertical pivot axis, is also supported for displacement in a horizontal plane along an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis. An air bearing supports the platform for rotation about the pivot axis while another air bearing supports the platform for displacement in the horizontal plane perpendicular to that axis. A tool chuck is mounted upon the platform and serves to present the tool blank to the grinding wheel. A cam, mounted adjacent to the platform, is provided with a surface whose contour is related to the complex profiled face to be formed on the tool blank. A cam follower is supported by the platform for engagement with the contoured cam surface. A micrometer device, in response to displacement of the cam follower by the cam surface, selectively positions the platform along an axis intersecting the pivot axis. Finally, means are provided for rotating the platform about its pivotal axis and for simultaneously effecting a relative travel of the cam follower along the cam surface, while the tool blank is presented to the grinding wheel, thus causing the grinding wheel to generate a complex profiled face on the tool blank.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An ultra precise apparatus for forming a complex profiled face on a tool blank, said apparatus comprising:

an abrading device;
spindle means comprising a journal for supporting said abrading device;
first gaseous lubricant bearing means for rotatably supporting said journal;
a platform supported (1) for rotation about a predetermined fixed pivot axis and (2) for displacement in a two-dimensional plane disposed perpendicular to said fixed pivot axis;
second gaseous lubricant bearing means for supporting said fixed platform for rotation about said pivot axis;
third gaseous lubricant bearing means for supporting said platform for displacement in said two-dimensional plane;
chuck means, mounted upon said platform, for holding said tool blank and for presenting said tool blank to said abrading device;
cam means disposed adjacent said platform and having a surface of a predetermined contour related to the profile of said complex profiled face to be formed on said tool blank;
cam follower means supported for engagement with said cam surface;
means responsive to displacement of said cam follower means by said cam surface for selectively positioning said platform in said two-dimensional plane along a platform axis orthogonally intersecting said fixed pivot axis;
and
means for rotating said platform about said predeterminded fixed pivot axis and for effecting a relative travel between said cam follower means and said cam surface to selectively position said platform in said two-dimensional plane along said platform axis while said tool blank is presented to said abrading device, thereby causing said abrading device to generate said complex profiled face on said tool blank.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.