Patent ID: 6220946
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A belt polishing machine comprising:a movable endless abrasive coated polishing belt that wraps around and travels over a substantial portion of a circumferential surface of a rotatable workpiece for finishing the surface;drive means for driving the polishing belt in a continuous path at a desired surface speed over the circumferential surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is being rotated at a desired rotational speed;guide means for guiding the polishing belt around and into engagement with a substantial portion of said circumferential surface, the guide means comprising guide pulleys positioned on either side of and beyond the belt engaged surface of the workpiece, the guide pulleys being carried on pivotable arms that are pivotable outward to allow gaging of the workpiece during continued finishing of the workpiece surface;tensioning means for applying tensioning force to the polishing belt during finishing operations;coolant feeding means for applying coolant against the polishing belt for separating and carrying away removed material from the belt and cleaning the abrasive for a subsequent pass; andgage means positioned beyond the workpiece when in the normal finishing position, said machine and the gage means being movable relative to the workpiece to move the gage means against the workpiece while the pivotable arms swing outward to permit entry of the gage means while continuing engagement of the polishing belt against a smaller portion of said circumferential surface for continued finishing of the surface during gaging of the workpiece.