Abrading – Precision device or process - or with condition responsive... – Computer controlled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-02-06
Eley, Timothy V. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Precision device or process - or with condition responsive...
Computer controlled
C451S011000, C451S042000, C451S160000, C451S384000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183343
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention pertains to a polishing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for controlling the movement of a polishing member along a predetermined path.
BACKGROUND
Fiber optic connectors are required in large quantities in the telecommunications and cable TV markets for the manufacture of fiber optic cable assemblies and components. Current fiber optic connector polishers (a) polish only in a circular pattern which does not polish the face ends of fiber optic connectors as effectively as does a figure eight polishing, and (b) these current polishers can polish no more than eighteen connectors at one time.
The existing state of the art for fiber optic connector polishers is derived from modifications of gemstone polishing machines. These machines consisted of a rotating platter against which the gemstone was moved for polishing. This technique was adopted by the first fiber optic connector polishers, and then modified to their current state, by having a jig, holding no more than eighteen connectors, move, in small circles on the rotating platter, while endeavoring, unsuccessfully, to simulate a constant, figure eight polishing pattern. The figure eight polishing pattern, if it can be perfectly attained and maintained during the polishing operation, provides the optimum method of polishing the end faces of fiber optic connectors in that perfect figure eight pattern produces the most consistent radii and best polish obtainable on these connectors and similarly configured industrial components.
SUMMARY
An polishing apparatus is provided for creating and maintaining a substantially perfect figure eight polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components. Further, the apparatus is capable of simultaneously performing this figure eight polishing pattern on a multiplicity of such connectors and components. Moreover, the specific embodiment disclosed includes a computer program that controls the apparatus. By simultaneously polishing a minimum of forty-eight fiber optic connectors, or similarly configured industrial components, with the polish being better than any now capable of being obtained in the prior art, this invention enables the output of polished fiber optic connectors and similar industrial components to be increased three to fourfold over currently employed polishing machines, while reducing significantly the cost of such polishing.
An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for creating and maintaining a figure eight polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components.
Another object is to provide such an apparatus that is capable of polishing in a substantially perfect figure eight pattern.
A further object is to provide an apparatus for creating a substantially uniformly constant, substantially perfect, figure eight polishing pattern which will produce the optimum quality polishing of a multiplicity of fiber optic connectors or similarly configured industrial components.
An additional object is to provide an apparatus for creating a substantially perfect figure eight polishing pattern that is computer controlled.
A still further object is to incorporate a figure eight polishing apparatus into a compact polishing machine capable of creating and constantly maintaining a substantially perfect figure eight polishing pattern while simultaneously polishing, with optimum quality, at least forty-eight fiber optic connectors or similarly configured industrial components.
Yet another object is to provide such a polishing apparatus that has a layout which enables more than forty-eight such connectors or components to be subsequently added for simultaneous figure eight polishing.
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Costello Leo F.
Eley Timothy V.
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