Grinding method, surface grinder, workpiece support, mechanism and work rest

A grinding method comprising the steps of:

• fitting a workpiece into one of a recess and a through hole formed in a rotary disk in such a manner that a workpiece drive section formed on said rotary disk engages with an engaged portion formed in said workpiece to rotationally fix together said rotary disk and said workpiece, wherein said engaged portion of said workpiece (1) is one of a notch and an orientation flat formed on an outer periphery of said workpiece and (2) defines a crystal orientation of said workpiece;
• rotating said rotary disk and said workpiece together, said workpiece being positively driven to rotate by said rotary disk;
• and
• grinding a work surface of said workpiece with a grinding wheel while said workpiece is being rotated.

A surface grinder comprising:

• a workpiece support member for rotating a workpiece, said workpiece support member rotationally fixed to said workpiece;
• a grinding wheel which is rotated to grind a work surface of said workpiece;
• and
• a work rest for confronting and supporting at least a part of said work surface of said workpiece when said grinding wheel grinds said work surface.

A grinding method comprising the steps of:

• rotating a grinding wheel;
• rotating a workpiece that is rotationally fixed to a rotatable disk;
• grinding a work surface of said workpiece while said grinding wheel being rotated is brought in contact with said work surface of said rotating workpiece;
• and
• simultaneously with said grinding step, supporting at least part of said work surface with a work rest member that confronts said work surface.

A workpiece support mechanism comprising:

• a support member;
• and
• a rotary disk mounted on said support member for rotation, said rotary disk having one of a recess and a through hole that receives a workpiece having an engaged portion, said rotary disk having a workpiece drive section for engaging with said engaged portion of said workpiece to rotationally fix together said rotary disk and said workpiece, said workpiece having a work surface that slides across a grinding surface when said rotary disk rotates, said workpiece being positively driven to rotate by said rotary disk;
• wherein said engaged portion of said workpiece (1) is one of a notch and an orientation flat formed on an outer periphery of said workpiece and (2) defines a crystal orientation of said workpiece;
• and
• wherein said support mechanism accommodates said workpiece without pulling a vacuum.