Automated drill bit re-sharpening and verification system

An apparatus for re-sharpening a dull drill bit defining a top and a front, the apparatus comprising:

• an optical assembly operative to generate images of the drill bit top and the drill bit front, wherein the optical assembly comprises a first camera for generating images of the drill bit top and a second camera for generating images of the drill bit front;
• a grinder for sharpening the drill bit;
• and
• a workhead assembly for holding the drill bit, the workhead assembly in communication with the optical assembly and operative to rotate and linearly displace the drill bit based on the generated images of the drill bit top and front to align the drill bit to the grinder for sharpening the drill bit.

An apparatus for re-sharpening a dull drill bit defining a top and a front, the apparatus comprising:

• a first device having a viewing direction toward the drill bit top and being operative to provide electrical information related to the drill bit top;
• a front optical device having a viewing direction toward the drill bit front and being operative to provide information related to the drill bit front;
• a workhead assembly operative to hold the drill bit and rotate and linearly displace the drill bit;
• a grinding assembly for grinding the drill bit;
• and
• a control device communicable with the first device, the optical device and the workhead assembly, the control device operative to download the information related to the drill bit top and drill bit front from the first and optical device and rotate and linearly displace the drill bit with the workhead assembly based on such information to align the drill bit to the grinding assembly for sharpening the drill bit.