Apparatus and method for testing an edge of a workpiece for sharpness

A method for testing an edge of a workpiece for sharpness comprising the steps of:

• providing an apparatus for testing the edge of a workpiece for sharpness including:
• a body;
• a probe extending outwardly from the body and pivotably mounted thereto, the probe being biased by biasing means in a direction for placement against an edge of a workpiece with a predetermined force;
• a test head disposed on a distal end of the probe for mounting test tape for physical contact with an edge as a test medium;
• a test point for connecting to the workpiece;
• and
• a continuity circuit mounted to the body in electrical communication with the test head and the test point for providing a predetermined electrical current between the test head and the test point through the workpiece when the test tape is cut sufficiently by the workpiece to allow the test head to touch the workpiece to form a complete circuit and thereby use electrical continuity as an indication of an excess edge sharpness;
• applying a plurality of tape members in a layered configuration on the test head in a predetermined manner;
• connecting the test point to the workpiece;
• applying the tape members on the test head to the edge to be tested in by applying a predetermined force using the body, the probe and the biasing means and drawing a stroke of predetermined length across the edge under test;
• inspecting the apparatus for an indication that continuity had been achieved wherein the tape was cut by the edge under test sufficiently to make electrical contact between the test head and the workpiece, thereby allowing electrical communication between the test head and the test point via the continuity circuit and the workpiece, and thereby indicating to the user that the edge tested had excess sharpness.

An apparatus for testing an edge of a workpiece for sharpness, the apparatus comprising:

• a carrier;
• a trip component mounted on the carrier, the trip component being deployable against an edge of a workpiece and the trip component being disposable between a trip condition that occurs when the trip component is deployed against an edge of a workpiece, the edge of the workpiece has a predetermined sharpness characteristic, and the predetermined sharpness characteristic of the edge of the workpiece effects a change in the trip component and a non-trip condition that occurs when the trip component is not deployed for testing against an edge of a workpiece and the edge of the workpiece has a predetermined sharpness characteristic;
• and
• a signal generating element, the signal generating element being operatively connected to the trip component, the signal generating element providing an electrical current that, when the trip component is in its trip condition, flows through the signal generating component and the trip component in a complete electrical circuit and the signal generating element operating to generate a signal in response to the flow of electrical current therethrough in a complete electrical circuit.