Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Grinding and Polishing.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Grinding and
Polishing.
We, RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS and ARCHER EDWARDS, both of Curtain Road,
in the City of London, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of our
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GRINDING AND
POLISHING" to be as follows:-
Our present invention relates to machinery or apparatus for grinding and
polishing the surface of spindles, wires, bars, shafts, or tubes, more or less
cylindrical in transverse section and of any length, of metal or other material.
It has for its object more especially further improvements in the machinery or
apparatus for grinding and polishing the surface of cylindrical wires or spindles
described and shewn in the specification of Letters Patent granted to us dated
April 15th A.D. 1880 and numbered 1544.
In order to put our present invention in operation, we use a number, preferably
two or more, of abrasive bands, or bands coated with suitable abrasive powder,
passed round revolving drums by which they can be set in rapid motion, adjusting
springs or weights being aranged so as to ensure the proper tension being always
kept upon the moving bands.
Supposing that a brass tube of any suitable diameter and of any length is to be
ground and polished externally, and that four parallel abrasive bands are to be
used which successively come in contact with the surface of the tube, the first of
such bands being supplied with the coarsest abrasive material, the fineness of which
increases progressively to the last which is used for polishing, we arrange two
parallel frames or standards at a short distance apart, their lower part being
provided with bearings in which fits a shaft made to revolve at the desired speed
by steam or other suitable power, and having at its ends drums round which pass
the endless abrasive bands, two of which are arranged at one end and two at the
other end of the machine, the two in each pair being in close proximity to each
other. The upper ends of the frames carry pulleys round which pass the upper
ends of the endless abrasive bands, the bearings which carry these pullies being
provided with adjustable springs or weights by which the tension of the bands can
be always regulated as desired. The spindles of these pullies are preferably hollow,
and provided with lubricating material which escapes gradually through one or
more small holes.

page_text: Formed upon or attached to the side of each frame of the machine is a bracket,
the lower end of which is forked one side projecting upon each side of the pair of
moving abrasive bands, and in each side of such projecting fork is a vertical socket
in which fits and turns a pin the upper end of which carries bearings in which
revolves, parallel to the tube which is to be ground and to the surface of the moving
bands an axis carrying a wheel or pulley the periphery of which is preferably covered
with a soft substance such as india rubber.
The size and position of the two pulleys which are carried as described upon
each side of the pair of moving bands are arranged so that when the tube to be
ground is in its proper position and is pressing with its proper force against the
moving abrasive bands, it is exactly above the two pullies described which
support it. In order to hold the tube down upon these supporting pullies, whilst
being ground and polished, we arrange a lever horizontal or nearly so of con-
siderable weight, turning upon a centre in the frame, and having the sides of its
two outer ends fitted with two friction rollers, the peripheries of which are also
preferably covered with soft substance such as india rubber, the rollers being
arranged so that when pressed down upon the tube they form with the lower roller
three points of support by which it is steadily held and allowed to revolve without
jar or tremor. By lifting the lever, it is evident that the tube can be conveniently
introduced or withdrawn, and different sized tubes or bars can be readily ground
as required.
The lever may be held down by its own weight, or by pins or screws adjustable
in any desired position.
The position of the upper rollers upon the lever may be varied, their centres
being arranged further apart where tubes or bars of large diameter are being
ground or polished.
In order to facilitate the introduction of a fresh tube or bar, the outer end of
the lever carries two levers turning upon a centre and fitted upon the inner ends
with rollers turning freely on centres, and at their outer ends with handles. By
raising the handles the rollers are depressed and pressing against the moving
abrasive band keep it back from the position in which it acts upon the tube,
whilst when the latter has been introduced into its position, the handles are
depressed and the rollers removed so that the bands come in contact with the
tube. Or for the same object, the end of the tube may be temporarily fitted with
a conical point of wood or other material by which it can be introduced into its
proper position.
The two rollers upon which the tube rests and which are themselves carried in
bearings, one on each side of the pair of bands, pivotted in the arms of the fork
below as described, can be arranged so that their axes are parallel with that of the
tube being ground, or at a variable angle with the latter (in plan) and the two
pivots are provided with horizontal projecting arms connected by a link, so that
the axes of the two supporting rollers always remain parallel to each other when
they are turned to any angle.
A handle is provided by which the angle can be altered, and a set screw or other
fastening by which they can be fixed in any position.
If the axes of the rollers are adjusted parallel with that of the tube, and they
are made to revolve by any means, they cause the tube also to revolve by their
friction. If their axes be adjusted at an angle they not only cause the tube to
revolve, but also to travel in the direction of its length at a relative speed
depending upon the angle made by the axes of the rollers with that of the tube.
In this way therefore the machine becomes entirely automatic the tube being
ground as it passes before the moving abrasive bands, and being simultaneously
turned upon its axis and carried forward in front of all the bands upon the
machine until finally polished and finished. It is evident that it may be made
to travel not only past the two bands upon the first frame and thence to the
succeeding two upon the opposite frame, but also past any additional number of
bands that it may be found advisable to use.

page_text: In order to transmit the requisite movement to the lower adjustable rollers
described, we fix upon each of the latter a pulley round which passes a cord or
belt the lower parts of which also pass round a drum or pulley upon a countershaft.
directly below the axes of the pulleys, and turning in bearings in the lower part of
the machine.
This countershaft is itself kept in revolution at the proper speed by a belt.
passing round suitable pullies and driven by the driving shaft already described in
the lower part of the machine, or in any other convenient way.
The novel apparatus described may be varied more or less. For instance, a
horizontal bed or trough may be arranged, above which the tube or shaft to be
ground and polished is adjusted. This trough is provided with a sufficient number
of moving abrasive bands in contact with the tube or shaft at different parts of its
length, adjustable apparatus for causing the rotation and feed forward of the tube
or shaft, similar to that already described, being provided at frequent intervals
along the trough or bed; and adjustable guides being provided to support and
steady the tube or shaft at different parts of the length of the trough between the
several moving abrasive bands. These adjustable guides consist preferably of
transverse forks, the arms of which project up on each side of the tube or shaft
and are provided with horizontal guides preferably covered with a soft material,
and having their ends rounded and turned slightly outward.
The forks turn upon vertical pivots below, and when they are in a position
transverse to the tube or shaft, the horizontal guides are parallel to the tube or
shaft, but by turning them simultaneously upon their pivots to the requisite angle
and fixing them there the front end of one of the guides and the back end of the
opposite one of each pair, come in contact with and serve as guides to the tube and
shaft, and they can thus be adjusted to fit the latter whatever its diameter may be,
so long as it is not greater than the width between the guides. The bottoms of
the forks also carry supporting and feeding rollers similar to those already
described, which are therefore turned to the proper angle simultaneously with the
lateral guides, and the proper speed of feed forward for shafts or tubes of different
diameters is thus ensured.
The guides and forks are arranged at short distances from each other, and the
former may practically form the sides of the trough. Rollers may also be arranged
to hold the tube or shaft down.
Where the moving band is of leather or other material to which it is desirable
constantly to add a fresh supply of abrasive material, we prefer to arrange a hopper
or vessel containing such material, which may be constantly forced downward by a
weight or other means, and we make the the lower open end of the hopper fit closely
upon part of the circumference of a cylinder which is kept in slow revolution by
the machine itself. This cylinder is provided with recesses round its circumference
preferably filled with leather or other soft material. As the cylinder revolves
slowly the recesses take up and receive at intervals a supply of the abrasive
material, and as they move forward clear of the hopper they come in contact with
the moving abrasive surface of the band or bands which removes and retains the
abrasive material.
In order to increase the segment of the circumference of the tube or shaft which
comes in contact with the moving abrasive band, we sometimes arrange the latter
so that its back runs over two small pullies at a point where the tube or shaft is to
be applied, these two pullies being adjusted at such a distance apart that the tube
or shaft can press the band and follow itself between them, the band forming a
loop embracing half the circumference of the tube. Or, the tube may be introduced
end-ways as already described.
The arrangement just described may be slightly modified by arranging the
abrasive band to run round a driving pulley or drum with its abrasive side inward,
its other end passing round the tube or shaft to be ground and polished. Two
Sinall guide pulleys may be arranged inside the band near the tube or shaft, these
pullies being carried by centres upon levers or near the circumference of wheels or

page_text: segments of wheels, so that when the levers or wheels are turned round the pullies
separate and move outward, carrying the band with them until it is removed from
contact with the tube or shaft, which can then be readily removed or replaced.
The levers or wheels may be coupled together so that they move simultaneously.
In the different novel arrangements of machinery or apparatus described,
adjustable wheels or pullies, preferably covered with india rubber or other soft
material, may be arranged at the back of the moving band so as to press it against
the tube or shaft which is being ground, and guides may be fixed at the back of
the moving bands, having ends curving inward round the edges of the latter so
as to prevent them from moving laterally out of their, proper position.
The method of feeding the shafts or tubes forward may be applied to apparatus
in which wheels or other grinding devices are used instead of bands.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Grinding and
Polishing.
We, RICHARD JOHN EDWARDS, and ARCHER EDWARDS, both of Curtain Road,
in the City of London, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of our invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying Drawings
(that is to say) :—
Our present invention relates to machinery or apparatus for grinding and
polishing the surface of spindles, wires, bars, shafts, or tubes, more or less
cylindrical in transverse section and of any length; of metal or other material.
It has for its object more especially further improvements in the machinery or
apparatus for grinding and polishing the surface of cylindrical wires or spindles
described and shewn in the specification of Letters Patent granted to us dated
April 15th A.D. 1880 and numbered 1544.
In order to put our present invention in operation, we use a number, preferably
two or more, of abrasive bands, or hands coated with suitable abrasive powder,
passed round revolving drums by which they can be set in rapid motion, adjusting
springs or weights being arranged so as to ensure the proper tension being always
kept upon the moving bands.
Supposing that a brass tube of any suitable diameter and of any length is to be
ground and polished externally, and that four parallel abrasive bands are to be used
which successively come in contact with the surface of the tube, the first of such
-

page_text: bands being supplied with the coarsest abrasive material, the fineness of which
increases progressively to the last which is used for polishing, we use the arrange-
ment shewn in figures 1, 2, and 8, in the accompanying drawings, in which two
parallel frames or standards are arranged at a short distance apart, (the upper part
of one of which frames is shewn in figure 8) their lower part being provided with
bearings in which fits a shaft nade to revolve at the desired speed by steam,
treadle, or other suitable power, and having at its ends drums or pulleys round
which pass the endless abrasive bands A, two of which are arranged at one end
and two at the other end of the machine, the two in each pair being in close
proximity to each other. The upper ends of the frames carry pulleys round which
pass the
upper ends of the endless abrasive bands A, the bearings which carry these
pulleys being provided with adjustable springs x figure 8, or weights by which the
tension of the bands A can be always regulated as desired. The spindles of these
pullies are preferably hollow, and provided with lubricating material, which escapes
gradually through one or more small holes.
Formed upon or attached to the side of such frame of the machine is a bracket a,
the lower end of which is forked- -one side projecting upon each side of the pair of
moving abrasive bands as shewn in figure 2, and in each side of such projecting
fork is a vertical socket b, b¹, in which fits and turns a pin the upper end of which
is forked at c, c¹, and carries bearings in which revolves parallel to the tube d which
is to be ground and to the surface of the moving bands, an axis e, e¹, carrying a
wheel or pulley f, f¹, the periphery of which is preferably covered with a soft
substance such as india rubber. The size and position of the two pulleys which are
carried as described upon each side of the pair of moving bands are arranged so
that when the tube'd to be ground is in its proper position and is pressing with its
proper force against the moving abrasive bands, it is exactly above the two pullies
described ff, which support it. In order to hold the tube down upon these
supporting pullies, whilst being ground and polished, we arrange a lever g figures 1
and 2 horizontal or nearly so of considerable weight, turning upon a centre h in the
frame, and having the sides of its two outer ends fitted with two friction rollers i, i¹³,
the peripheries of which are also preferably covered with soft substance such as
india rubber, the rollers being arranged so that when pressed down upon the tube d
they form with the lower roller f three points of support by which it is steadily held
as shewn in figures 1 and 8 and allowed to revolve without jar or tremor. By lifting
the lever g. it is evident that the tube d can be conveniently introduced or
withdrawn, and different sized tubes or bars can be readily ground as required.
The lever may be held down by its own weight, or by pins or screws adjustable
in any desired position.
The position of the upper rollers i, i, upon the lever g may be varied; their
centres being arranged further apart where tubes or bars of large diameter are being
ground or polished.
In order to facilitate the introduction of a fresh tube or bar, the outer end of the
lever g is shewn in figure 1 carrying two levers (shewn in dotted lines at k figure 1)
turning upon a centre and fitted upon their inner ends with rollers m turning
freely on centres and at their outer ends with handles k¹. By raising the handles k¹
the rollers m are depressed and pressing against the moving abrasive band A keep
it back from the position in which it acts upon the tube d, whilst when the latter
has been introduced into position, the handles k¹ are depressed and the rollers m
removed so that the bands come in contact with the tube d. Or, for the same
object, the end of the tube may be temporarily fitted with a conical point of wood
or other material by which it can be introduced into its proper position.
The two rollers f,f¹, upon which the tube d rests and which are themselves
carried in bearings, one on each side of the pair of bands, pivotted in the arms b, b¹,
of the fork a below as described, can be arranged so that their axes are parallel
with that of the tube being ground, or at a variable angle with the latter (in plan
as shown in figure 2) and the two pivots are provided with horizontal projecting
arins n, n², connected by a link o, so that the axes of the two supporting rollers fif¹

page_text: always remain parallel to each other when they are turned to any angle. A handle p
is provided by which the angle can be altered, and a set screw or other fastening
by which they can be fixed in any position.
If the axes of the rollers are adjusted parallel with that of the tube d, and they
are made to revolve by any means, they cause the tube d also to revolve by their
friction. If their axes be adjusted at an angle (as in figure 2) they not only cause
the tube d to revolve, but also to travel in the direction of its length at a relative
speed depending upon the angle made by the axes of the rollers f,ƒ³, with that of
the tube. In this way therefore the machine becomes entirely automatic the tube d
being ground as it passes before the moving abrasive bands, and being simul-
taneously turned upon its axis and carried forward in front of all the bands upon
the machine until finally polished and finished.
It is evident that it may be made to travel not only past the two bands upon
the first frame and thence to the succeeding two upon the opposite frame, but also
past any additional number of bands that it may be found desirable to use.
In order to transmit the requisite movement to the lower adjustable rollers ƒ, ƒ¹,
described, we fix upon each of the latter a pulley r, r, round which passes a cord
or belt the lower parts of which also pass round a drum or pulley (not shewn in
figures 1 and 2) upon a countershaft directly below the axes of the pulleys, and
turning in bearings in the lower part of the machine.
This countershaft is itself kept in revolution at the proper speed by a belt
passing round suitable pullies and driven by the driving shaft already described in
the lower part of the machine or in any other convenient way.
The novel apparatus described may be varied more or less. For instance, the
arrangement shewn in figures 3 and 4 may be used, in which a horizontal bed or
trough B may be arranged above which the tube or shaft to be ground and polished
is adjusted. This trough B is provided with a sufficient number of moving abrasive
bands A, A, A, A, A, in contact with the tube or shaft d at different parts of its
length, adjustable rollers f and apparatus for causing the rotation and feed forward
of the tube or shaft, similar to that already described being provided at frequent
intervals along the trough or bed B; and adjustable guides o, o, being provided to
hold down and steady the tube or shaft at different parts of the length of the
trough B between the several moving abrasive bands A. These adjustable guides
may consist of transverse forks 8, 8, as shewn on a larger scale in plan in figure 7,
and in end view in figure 7 the arms of which project up on each side of the tube
or shaft and are provided with horizontal guides o¹, o¹, o, preferably covered with
a soft material, and having their ends rounded and turned slightly outward as
shewn.
The forks & turn upon vertical pivots below, and when they are in a position
transverse to the tube or shaft d the horizontal guides o¹, o¹, are parallel to the
tube or shaft but by turning them simultaneously upon the pivots to the requisite
angle and fixing them there the front end of one of the guides o' and the back end
of the opposite one of each pair, come in contact with and serve as guides to the
tube and shaft, and they can thus be adjusted to fit and steady the latter whatever
its diameter may be, so long as it is not greater than the width between the
guides o¹.
The bottoms of the forks may also carry supporting and feeding rollers similar
to those already described, which are therefore turned to the proper angle simul-
taneously with the lateral guides o¹, and the proper speed of feed forward for
shafts or tubes of different diameters is thus secured. The guides and forks are
arranged at short distances from each other. Rollers may also be arranged to hold
the tube or shaft down.
In figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, horizontal guides or angle irons, o, o, are shewn, pivotted
to cross connecting pieces t, t, t, which can be adjusted by handles u, so that the
guides o, o, can be adjusted at any desired distance apart, according to the diameter
of the tube which is being ground.

page_text: The guides o, o, also carry rollers i, i, which press upon and steady the tube or
shaft whatever its diameter, as shewn in figures 5 and 6. The guides o, o, are
shewn carried upon levers v, v, pivotted at w, w, so that they can all be raised out
of the way when required, in order to change the bands A, A, or for other purposes.
Five parallel bands A are shewn in figure 4, though any desired number may be
used, and two sets of guiding and feeding apparatus are shewn, the bands A being
supported by end pullies or drums y, y, as well as by intermediate ones y¹. The
driving drums and bands are driven by pullies and cords 2, upon a driving shaft
which also actuates by bands the feeding rollers f, f, the variable angle of which is
adjusted and fixed by levers and sliding rods p, p.
The trough is divided into separate parts by divisions indicated by the dotted
lines E, E, E, each band moving in a separate compartment, and being kept
properly stretched by adjustable springs or weights F. Additional feeding
apparatus may be arranged outside the trough B, so that short lengths of tube
or shaft placed upon it will be fed into and through the machine.
Where the moving band is of leather or other material to which it is desirable
constantly to add a fresh supply of abrasive material, we prefer to arrange a hopper
or vessel containing such material as shewn in dotted lines at G, G, figure 3, the
material in which may be constantly forced downward by a weight or other means,
and we sometimes make the lower open end of this hopper fit closely upon part of
the circumference of a cylinder which is kept in slow revolution by the machine
itself.
This cylinder is provided with recesses round its circumference preferably filled
with leather or other soft material, as shewn in figure 3ª.
As the cylinder revolves slowly the recesses take up and receive at intervals a
supply of the abrasive material, and as they move forward clear of the hopper they
come in contact with the moving abrasive surface of the band or bands which
removes and retains the abrasive material. Or, ordinary feeding rollers or devices
may be used in the hoppers at H. The abrasive material which falls into the
several compartments of the machine, may be raised and returned to the hopper by
endless chains of buckets of any of the well known kind.
In order to increase the segment of the circumference of the tube or shaft d
which comes in contact with the moving abrasive band A, we sometimes arrange
the latter as shewn in figures 9 and 10 so that its back runs over two small
pullies I, I, at a point where the tube or shaft d is to be applied, these two pullies
being adjusted at such a distance apart that the tube or shaft d can press the band
and follow itself between them, the band forming a loop as shown in figure 9,
enclosing half the circumference of the tube d. Or, the tube may be introduced
end-ways as already described. The arrangement just described may be slightly
modified as shewn in figures 11 and 12, by arranging the abrasive band A to run
round a driving pulley or drum (not shewn in the drawing) with its abrasive side
inward, its other end passing round the tube or shaft d to be ground and polished.
Two small guide pulleys I, I, may be arranged inside the band A near the tube or
shaft d, these pullies being carried by centres upon levers L L or near the circum-
ference of wheels or segments of wheels, so that when the lovers or wheels L, L,
are turned round the pullies I, I, separate and move outward as shown in figure 12,
carrying the band A with them until it is removed from contact with the tube or
shaft & which can then be readily removed or replaced. The levers or wheels may
be coupled together so that they move simultaneously.
In the different novel arrangements of machinery or apparatus described,
adjustable wheels or pullies, preferably covered with india rubber or other soft
material, may be arranged at the back of the moving band so as to press it against
the tube or shaft which is being ground; and guides may be fixed at the back of
the moving bands, having ends curving inward round the edges of the latter so as
to prevent it from moving laterally out of its proper position.
The method of feeding the shafts or tubes forward may be applied to apparatus
in which wheels or other grinding devices are used instead of bands,

page_text: Where necessary in the different forms of apparatus described and shewn, felt or
other soft washers may be used to protect the bearings and save them from wear,
and to keep the oil or other lubricating material used from escaping.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The method of causing tubes or shafts to revolve, and simultaneously to move
in the direction of their length at any desired speed, substantially as described and
shewn in the drawings.
2. The methods of guiding and steadying tubes or shafts which are being ground
or polished, by means of guides and rollers adjustable to the diameter of the tube
or shaft, substantially as described and shewn.
3. The methods of altering the position of the abrasive bands, for the purpose of
introducing the tubes or shafts which are to be ground and polished substantially
as described and shown.
4. The methods of arrangement by which the abrasive band is made to operate
upon a large part of the circumference of the tube or shaft which is to be ground
or polished, substantially as described and shewn in figures 9, 10, 11, and 12.
5. The arrangement of any desired number of moving abrasive bands kept
stretched by adjustable tension devices, in combination with the adjustable turning
and feeding rollers, and variable and adjustable guides and steadying rollers,
substantially as described and shewn in the drawing.
6. In combination with the abrasive bands moving as described and shewn, the
methods of feeding abrasive powder to such bands, substantially as described.
Deted this 29th day of October 1885
EDWARDS & Co.,
Agents for the Patentees,
35, Southampton Buildings, London.