Method and apparatus for cold-end processing full lead crystal

An apparatus for bevelling, grinding and polishing an edge surface of a full-lead crystal workpiece, comprising:

• a) a housing having an entrance end and an exit end;
• b) a conveyor running lengthwise downline through said housing from the entrance end to the exit end, said conveyor supporting the workpiece without contacting the edge surface of the workpiece;
• c) a plurality of grinders having an abrasive grinding surface within a range of coarseness;
• d) a plurality of polishers located downline of said grinders, said polishers having an abrasive polishing surface within a range of coarseness;
• e) control means for raising, lowering and tilting said grinders and polishers relative to said conveyor and the unfinished edge surface of the workpiece supported thereon;
• wherein said grinders and polishers are constructed and arranged to automatically process full-lead crystal without visible flaws.

A system for cold-end processing a full-lead crystal workpiece, comprising:

• a) an apparatus for grinding and polishing the face surface of a full-lead crystal workpiece, having
• i) a housing having an entrance end and an exit end;
• ii) a conveyor running lengthwise downline through said housing from the entrance end to the exit end;
• iii) a calibrator proximate the entrance end of said housing;
• iv) a plurality of grinders located downline of said calibrator, said grinders having an abrasive grinding surface within a range of coarseness;
• v) a plurality of polishers located downline of said grinders, said polishers having an abrasive polishing surface with a range of coarseness;
• vi) control means for raising and lowering said calibrator, grinders and polishers and positioning said calibrator, grinders and polishers relative to said belt conveyor and the unfinished surface of the workpiece supported thereon;
• b) an apparatus for bevelling, grinding and polishing an edge surface of a full-lead crystal workpiece, having:
• i) a housing having an entrance end and an exit end;
• ii) a conveyor running lengthwise downline through said housing from the entrance end to the exit end, said conveyor supporting the workpiece without contacting the edge surface of the workpiece;
• iii) a plurality of grinders, said grinders having an abrasive grinding surface within a range of coarseness and being arranged sequentially downline within the housing;
• iv) a plurality of polishers located downline of said grinders, said polishers having an abrasive polishing surface within a range of coarseness and being arranged sequentially downline within the housing;
• v) control means for raising, lowering and tilting said grinders and polishers relative to said conveyor and positioning said grinders and polishers relative to said conveyor and the unfinished edge surface of the workpiece supported thereon.