Apparatus for low stress polishing of spherical objects
AssigneeWatkins-Johnson Company
InventorChristopher L. London
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for polishing spherical objects includes first and second plates having smooth facing surfaces. A first plate comprises ceramic material which is rotatably supported, and the first plate includes a transparent plate. Spherical objects to be polished are placed between the two plates along with an abrasive slurry, and magnets are positioned on a top surface of the first plate to magnetically limit the path of travel of the spherical objects as the second plate is rotated. The first plate includes at least one radially concave groove in which this spherical objects are mixed during a polishing operation.
Claims15
Apparatus for polishing spherical objects comprising
- a first plate having a smooth surface,
- drive means for rotating said first plate,
- a second plate having a smooth surface,
- support means for stationarily supporting said second plate adjacent to said first plate with said smooth surfaces facing each other, and
- magnet means positioned on said second plate for limiting the travel of particles between said first plate and said second plate during a polishing operation.
A method of polishing spherical objects comprising the steps of
- placing said spherical objects and an abrasive slurry between a first stationary plate and a second rotatable plate, said first and second plates having smooth facing surfaces,
- placing a light load on said spherical objects,
- rotating said second plate, and
- magnetically restricting the path of travel of said spherical objects between said plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.