Method and apparatus for providing a workpiece with a convex tip
AssigneeNEC Corporation
InventorsKenichi Ohno, Torahiko Kanda, Masashige Mitsuhashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for providing an optical fiber connector or similar workpiece formed of, e.g., glass, ceramic or plastic with a mirror-finished convex tip efficiently is disclosed. While a film-like abrasive tool is conveyed in contact with the wall of a groove formed in a stage, the workpiece is caused to rotate about its axis (and to move in a reciprocating motion). By the resulting grinding operation, the sectional shape (arcuate) of the abrasive tool contacting the wall of the groove is transferred to the end of the workpiece. As a result, the end of the workpiece is provided with a convex tip. The abrasive tool is replaced with an abrasive tool for finishing, as needed.
Claims23
A method of forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece by using a film-like abrasive tool, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning the abrasive tool on a stage;
- (b) causing the end of the workpiece to contact one opposite major surfaces of the abrasive tool;
- and
- (c) causing the workpiece to rotate about an axis thereof, while moving the abrasive tool across said stage and in contact therewith so that the contact area between the abrasive tool and the workpiece changes
- (d) causing the workpiece to reciprocate across said stage.
A method of forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece by using a film-like abrasive tool, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning the abrasive tool on a stage wherein a surface of said stage contacting said abrasive tool is formed with a groove;
- (b) causing the end of the workpiece to contact on opposite major surfaces of the abrasive tool;
- and
- (c) causing the workpiece to rotate about an axis thereof, while moving the abrasive tool.
An apparatus for forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece, comprising:
- a stage;
- a film-like abrasive tool set on said stage and for grinding the end of the workpiece;
- moving means for causing said abrasive tool to move across said stage and in contact therewith so that the contact area between said abrasive tool and said workpiece changes;
- reciprocating means for causing said workpiece to reciprocate across said stage;
- rotating means for causing said abrasive tool to rotate about an axis thereof;
- and
- contacting means for causing the end of the workpiece to contact said abrasive tool where said tool contacts said stage.
An apparatus for forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece, comprising:
- a stage;
- a film-like abrasive tool set on a stage and for grinding the end of the workpiece wherein a surface of said stage contacting said abrasive tool is formed with a groove;
- moving means for causing said abrasive tool to move;
- rotating means for causing said abrasive tool to rotate about an axis thereof;
- and
- contacting means for causing the end of the workpiece to contact said stage.
An apparatus for forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece, comprising:
- a stage having smoothly rounded edges at opposite ends with respect to a lengthwise direction thereof;
- a film-like abrasive tool set on said stage and for grinding the end of the workpiece;
- moving means for causing said abrasive tool to move;
- rotating means for causing said abrasive tool to rotate about an axis thereof;
- and
- contacting means for causing the end of the workpiece to contact said stage.
An apparatus for forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece, comprising:
- a stage formed in a hand-drum-like roller;
- a film-like abrasive tool set on said stage and for grinding the end of the workpiece;
- moving means for causing said abrasive tool to move;
- rotating means for causing said abrasive tool to rotate about an axis thereof;
- and
- contacting means for causing the end of the workpiece to contact said stage.
An apparatus for forming a convex tip on an end of a workpiece, comprising:
- a stage formed with a plurality of concentric annular grooves each having a generally arcuate section;
- a film-like abrasive tool positioned on walls of said plurality of concentric grooves;
- means for causing the workpiece to rotate about an axis thereof;
- means for causing the workpiece to move along any one of said plurality of concentric grooves;
- means for causing the workpiece to move across said plurality of concentric grooves;
- and
- means for causing the end of the workpiece to contact said abrasive tool contacting the walls of said plurality of concentric grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.