Patent ID: 6565423
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: B24B,G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for polishing an optical connector ferrule end face wherein relative motion is imparted between an optical connector ferrule (10) of an optical connector and a polishing plate (4) so as to polish an end face of the ferrule (10) to a convex spherical surface, comprising:a polishing plate (4); a polishing apparatus main unit (2), capable of freely moving the polishing plate (4) within an XY plane while rotating it; a cylinder block mechanism (3) disposed above the polishing apparatus main unit (2) and provided with a plurality of pressure-applying mechanism arranged in a ring and each of which corresponds to each of a plurality of ferrules (10); a height-adjusting mechanism (5) operative for causing movement of the cylinder block mechanism (3) in a direction perpendicular to the polishing plate (4); and an air supplying source for supplying pressurized air to each of the pressure-applying mechanisms, wherein the pressure applying mechanisms (13) hold the ferrules (10) in end parts of the pressure-applying mechanisms, each of which presses a corresponding ferrule (10) in a direction perpendicular to the polishing plate (4) with a prescribed pressure.