Abstract:
This invention consists of a process to create and maintain a perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connector end faces and the apparatus used to perform this process simultaneously on a multiplicity of fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components.

Description:
This Patent Application relates back to the Inventor&#39;s Provisional Patent Application filed on Sep. 11, 1996 Application No. 60/025,906. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a computer program controlled process for creating and maintaining a perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components, and the incorporation of this process into a polishing apparatus which simultaneously performs this Figure 8 polishing pattern on a multiplicity of such connectors and components. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     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 18 connectors, move, in small circles on the rotating platter, while endeavoring, unsuccessfully, to simulate a constant, Figure 8 polishing pattern. The Figure 8 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 a perfect Figure 8 pattern produces the most consistent radii and best polish obtainable on these connectors and similarly configured industrial components. 
     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. As above noted, 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 8 polishing, and (b) these current polishers can polish no more than 18 connectors at one time. 
     By simultaneously polishing a minimum of 48 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 will enable 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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a computer program controlled process for the creation of a uniformly constant, i.e., perfect, Figure 8 polishing pattern which will furnish the optimum quality polishing of a multiplicity of fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components. 
     A further object of the invention is the incorporation of the Figure 8 polishing process into a compact polishing machine capable of creating and constantly maintaining a perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern while simultaneously polishing, with optimum quality, at least 48 fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components, with the layout of the polishing apparatus so constructed as to allow in excess of 48 such connectors or components to be added for simultaneous Figure 8 polishing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof when read in conjunction with the attached drawings and computer program presentation, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the polisher apparatus portion of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the polisher apparatus portion of the invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a pictorial description of the direction of movement of the computer programmed Figure 8 polishing pattern of the process portion of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2 the layout of the polishing apparatus allows the use of all the space on the polishing surface. By using a rectangular array we can space connectors at 1&#34; intervals and create an array which can be expanded to as many as 200 connectors to be polished simultaneously. Polishing machines now in use do not allow for this type of expansion in that they can only place the connectors in the outermost edges of the polishing plate. As illustrated by FIG. 3 the polishing apparatus can accurately produce a constant and perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern--and move this pattern in any direction--by using the invention&#39;s computer controlled x-y motion control process with circular interpolation. 
     FIG. 1 describes the following components of the polishing apparatus: 
     The polisher includes a casino 13. Installed within said casing is an x-stage 1, a y-stage 2, an interface plate 12, a base plate 5, motor drives 6, a power supply 11, an x-y controller 7, an x-motor 15, and a y-motor 14. 
     The x-stage 2 is mounted to the casing 13, the y-stage 1 is mounted to the x-stage 2, the interface plate 12 is mounted to the y-stage 1, the base plate 5 is mounted to the interface plate 12. These items comprise the mechanical components for the motion system. 
     The x-stage 2 and the y-stage 1 are moved via a motor attached to each stage. The y-motor 14 is attached to the y-stage 1, and moves the stage in the y-axis by a ball screw mechanism built into the stage. The x-motor 15 is attached to the x-stage 2 and moves the x-stage 2 in the x-axis. 
     The y-stage 1 and the x-stage 2 are controlled by means of an x-y controller 7 and motor drives 6 which are powered by a power supply 11. The controller 7 is a computer controlled motion system which can be programmed for all types of movement. 
     FIG. 2 describes the following components of the polishing apparatus: 
     The interface plate 12 is attached to the y-stage 1 as a receiving mechanism for the base plate 5 which is the polishing surface for operation of the polisher apparatus. Different polishing surfaces can be attached to the base plate 5 for the polishing process. These surfaces include such polishing mediums as diamond, aluminum oxide, and silicon carbide polishing papers and other coated plates and pads. 
     The polishing plate 3 is set on the fixed locating members 4 so that the exposed surface of the component to be polished is touching the polishing surface which is applied to the base plate 5. Weights 16 are then applied to the top surface of the polishing plate 3 to supply the correct amount of pressure to the component to be polished. The pressure may also be applied via a pneumatic pressure control system. 
     The process is controlled by a timer 10, a start switch 9 and a stop switch 8. The amount of time to polish is set on the timer. The process is started by pressing the start switch 9. The polishing process can be stopped at any time by pressing the stop switch 8. 
     FIG. 3 describes, pictorially, the operation of the Figure 8 polishing process: 
     The Figure 8 pattern 1 is created by computer programming the x-y motion process to move in a clockwise circle starting from the center of the Figure 8, then moving in a counter clockwise circle to finish the Figure 8 pattern. The offset Figure 8 pattern 2 is created by moving the Figure 8 pattern 1 down a small amount (approximately 0.050&#34;). This pattern is repeated several times to a specified distance. Upon completion of this movement the Figure 8 pattern 1 is reversed. It then moves in the opposite direction 3 and continues until it reaches a specified distance. The whole process is repeated as many times as needed to perform the desired amount of time set by the timer (see 10, FIG. 1.). By combining these patterns the process creates a continuous Figure 8 movement which enables the polishing surface of the polishing apparatus to provide the optimum quality polishing, simultaneously, of not less than 48 fiber optic connectors or similarly configured industrial components. 
     Textual Description of the Computer Program for the Figure 8 Pattern Process 
     The following is a copy of the Computer Program for the Figure 8 pattern: 
     DEL R: required to overwrite existing program R 
     DEF R 
     PSCLD 15 
     PSCLA2 
     PSCLAV2 
     PAD1.3000 
     PA1.5000 
     COMEXL.11 
     DRFLVL11 
     L30 
     PARCOP0,0,-6000,0 
     PARCOMO,0,6000,0 
     PLINO,-400 
     LN 
     pad0.6 
     PARCOP0,0,-6000,0 
     PARCOM0,06000,0 
     END 
     DEL F: required to overwrite existing program F 
     DEF F 
     PSCLD15 
     PSCLA2 
     PAD1.3000 
     PAI.5000 
     PVI.5000 
     DRFLVL11 
     COMEXL11 
     L30 
     PARCOP0,06000,0 
     PARCOM0,0-6000,0 
     PLIN0,400 
     LN 
     pad0.6 
     PARCOP0,6000,0 
     PARCOM0,0,-6000,0 
     END 
     DEL Q: required to overwrite existing program Q 
     DEF Q 
     ZERO 
     PRUNF 
     PRUNR 
     prunf 
     prunr 
     prunf 
     prunr 
     END 
     DEL ZERO: required to overwrite existing program ZERO 
     DEF ZERO 
     comex11,1 
     A1.0000,1.0000 
     V1.0000,1.0000 
     AD.3000,.3000 
     D50000,50000 
     GO 
     D-15000,-26000 
     GO 
     END 
     del setup 
     def setup 
     comexs2 
     COMEXL11 
     DRFLVL11 
     INFEN1 
     INLVL1111111111111111111111111111111111 
     INFNC1-D 
     INFNC2-4p 
     INFNC3-p 
     INSELP2,50 
     startp setup 
     end 
     DEL START: required to overwrite existing program START 
     DEF START 
     Q 
     END 
     PCOMP R 
     PCOMP F 
     PCOMP START 
     PCOMP SETUP 
     While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the claims which follow: