Patent ID: 9358654
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: B24B,B24D

Claim Text:
1. A method of sharpening a cutting tool having an elongated cutting edge, the method comprising: installing a first abrasive belt to be advanced along a belt path comprising a pair of spaced apart first and second rollers, the first roller being connected to a tensioner assembly providing a selected tension to the first abrasive belt, the first abrasive belt having a first abrasive surface and a first flexibility level, the first abrasive surface having a relatively coarse abrasiveness level; driving the first abrasive belt along the belt path; providing a sharpening guide adjacent the flexible belt between the first and second rollers comprising a substantially v-shaped slot formed by opposing first and second guide surfaces which converge to a limit stop, the first guide surface disposed at a selected angle to the abrasive belt; placing the cutting tool into the sharpening guide such that a first side of the cutting tool is placed against the first guide surface; advancing the cutting tool along the first guide surface to displace the first belt out of the belt path until the cutting edge contactingly engages the limit stop, the first abrasive belt bending out of the belt path at a first radius of curvature responsive to the selected tension and the first flexibility level; moving the cutting tool across the abrasive belt while maintaining the cutting edge in contacting engagement against the limit stop; installing a second abrasive belt along the belt path, the second abrasive belt having a second abrasive surface and a second flexibility level greater than the first flexibility level, the second abrasive surface having a relatively fine abrasiveness level; placing the cutting tool into the guide slot in contact with the first guide surface; advancing the cutting tool along the first guide surface to displace the second belt out of the belt path until the cutting edge contactingly engages the limit stop, the second abrasive belt bending out of the belt path at a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature responsive to the selected tension and the second linear stiffness; and moving the cutting tool across the abrasive belt while maintaining the cutting edge in contacting engagement against the limit stop to apply a curved geometry to the cutting tool having a first segment that nominally extends at the first radius of curvature and a second segment between the first segment and the cutting edge that nominally extends at the second radius of curvature.