Patent ID: 12194589

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numbers are used to refer to similar or identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed generally to systems, methods, and apparatuses for grinding/polishing devices. Preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail, since such descriptions would obscure the disclosure in unnecessary detail.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the claimed technology and presenting its currently understood, best mode of operation, reference will be now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the claimed technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would typically occur to one skilled in the art to which the claimed technology relates.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the term “embodiments” does not require that all disclosed embodiments include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first set of one or more lines of code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second set of one or more lines of code. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one or more of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by an operator-configurable setting, factory trim, etc.).

An example of a grinding/polishing device for performing grinding and polishing operations on a workpiece or specimen is shown inFIGS.1-3. With reference toFIG.1, a grinding/polishing device100includes a power head assembly102with a specimen holder112with specimens116(one shown), a cabinet or base104with a bowl106, a controller190(FIG.2), and an input device or unit control panel122.

With continued reference toFIG.1, the bowl106forms an opening in the base104in the embodiment depicted. The bowl106includes a removable bowl liner (not shown), such as a transparent plastic bowl liner, to prevent accumulation of debris, contaminant, and residue in the bowl. A splash guard (109) may further be positioned around the bowl106to contain the fluid in the bowl and minimize over-spray, and to prevent items from unintendedly entering the bowl or contacting a moving component of the grinding polishing device, such as the platen108or specimen holder112.

The platen108is installed in the bowl106. A pad110is secured to the top of the platen108and is configured to contact the specimens116during a grinding/polishing cycle. Many types of pads110may be used in a grinding/polishing operation. For example, the pad110may be a grinding disc, such as a silicon carbide grinding disc or a diamond grinding disc. In other embodiments, the pad110may be a polishing pad. The platen108is operably connected to an actuator117(FIG.2). As an example, the underside of the platen may include openings for receiving drive pins on the top of a drive plate of an actuator to secure the platen to the actuator, but many other mechanisms may be used to secure the platen to the actuator.

The actuator117is controlled by the controller190to rotate, oscillate, or otherwise move the platen108to work the specimen116during a grinding/polishing operation. The actuator117in embodiments is a bi-directional motor configured to rotate the platen108at selected speeds and in either direction. In other embodiments, the actuator includes a motor operable to oscillate or otherwise move the platen so as to work the specimen. In some embodiments, the actuator may further be configured to move the platen towards or away from the specimen in order to adjust the load or force applied between the platen and specimen (e.g., a linear-type actuator controlled to move or drive the platen towards and away from the specimen). Many types of actuators may be used to facilitate a grinding/polishing operation.

The power head assembly102is secured to the base104and positions the specimen holder112with respect to the platen108. In the embodiment depicted, the specimen holder112includes a number of specimen receiving slots114that hold specimens116(one shown) subject to a grinding/polishing operation by the device100. The specimen holder112is operably connected to an actuator118(FIG.2) of the power head assembly102. In the embodiment shown, the specimen holder112is removably secured to the actuator118via a chuck115. The actuator118is controlled by controller190to rotate, oscillate, or otherwise move the specimen holder112(and specimen116) with respect to the platen108(and pad110) to work the specimen116during a grinding/polishing operation. The actuator118in the embodiment shown includes a bi-directional motor configured to rotate the specimen holder112at selected speeds and in either direction, and further includes a linear-type actuator configured to press the specimen holder112(with specimen116) towards or away from the platen108in order to adjust the load or force applied between the specimen and platen. In other embodiments, the actuator is configured to oscillate or move the specimen holder112with respect to the platen during an operation. Any desired actuator may be used.

Fluid dispenser120is located on the base104and positioned to dispense water and, in embodiments as the one depicted, may dispense other types of fluid onto the platen108. Fluid dispensed onto the platen108may be collected in the bowl106, and drained as needed. The dispenser includes valves that may be operated to control the dispensation flow rate. In embodiments, controller190operates the dispenser to turn the dispenser on and off and to adjust the flow rates. In the embodiment shown, a manual control knob121is also positioned on the base106and operable to control the volume of flow rate delivered by the dispensers120.

Fluids that may be dispensed may include, for example, water, suspensions including diamond and other suspensions, polishing suspensions, lubricants and other fluids. In certain embodiments, one or more fluids may be supplied by one or more dispensers. In embodiment where multiple fluids are dispensed, such as water and another type of fluid, the water and the other fluid(s) are provided by respective supply lines (not shown), such as water service lines and fluid supply lines. In embodiments, water and other fluids are supplied from a reservoir or canister tank located on the device or located remotely. The controller may also provide automatic control of the fluid which may be selected by the user at the control panel. In embodiments, controller190operates the dispenser to turn the dispenser on and off and to adjust the flow rates.

While in the embodiment depicted the dispenser may dispense water from one nozzle and another type of fluid from a second nozzle shown, in other embodiments, the second nozzle may be part of a second dispenser that is a standalone unit and separate from the base104. In such embodiments, the fluid flow from may be controlled by the standalone unit, for example, manually by a knob or by a controller of the standalone dispenser unit. The second nozzle may be positionable next to the device100and, in embodiments, secured to the base104.

The unit control panel122displays, among other things, grinding/polishing device data and information, and receives input from a user. In embodiments, the unit control panel may include various buttons, knobs, switches, sliders, displays, touch screens, touch pads, lights, indicia, and so on, to display information and receive input from a user. The Unit control panel may further include other components, such as peripheral device, audio circuits and speakers, microphones, communications devices (wired or wireless), and other components as will be recognized. In the embodiment depicted, unit control panel122has a touch-sensitive display124.

Turning toFIG.2, the control circuitry or controller190comprises circuitry (e.g., a microcontroller and memory such as a non-transitory machine readable storage device191) operable to process data from the actuators117,118, the dispenser120, and the unit control panel122. For example, the controller190may include processor(s) and/or other logic circuitry that controls the operations of the grinding/polishing device. Example processor(s) may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, one or more microcontrollers, and/or any other type of processing and/or logic device. For example, the controller190may include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The controller190is operable to receive user input signals from the unit control panel122and, in response, control components of the grinding/polishing device such as the actuators, dispensers, components thereof, and other elements of the device.

Turning toFIG.3, the unit control panel122in the embodiment shown includes a touchscreen display124with a graphical user interface126to an operator. The graphical user interface126in embodiments provides various screens that display information and controls for the grinding/polishing device, including various grinding/polishing parameters. The graphical user interface126may have a number of different screens, menus, display formats, etc., that are selectable by a user to view information and provide input.

Graphical user interface126may further include a home screen128which, in embodiments, is a default screen that is displayed by the control panel122, for example, when powered on. The home screen128provides a user with information and enables user input that is immediately accessible to the user, for example, without requiring navigation to other screens, navigating through menus, etc. In embodiments, the home screen128is displayed by default upon powering-on the device. In other embodiments, the contents of the example home screen128ofFIG.3are provided on one or more screens accessible through one or more navigation actions on the interface126.

The home screen128may include a number of grinding/polishing parameter inputs, such as the grinding/polishing parameter inputs130-142depicted, that are associated with various grinding/polishing parameters. The grinding/polishing parameter inputs enable a user to adjust various grinding/polishing parameters for a grinding/polishing operation. Example grinding/polishing parameters include device cycle on/off and cycle time, platen speed (e.g., the rotations or oscillations per minute of a rotating or oscillating platen), rotation direction of the platen, specimen holder speed (e.g., the rotations or oscillations per minute of a rotating or oscillating specimen holder), rotation direction of the specimen holder, fluid dispenser(s) on/off (e.g., whether a water dispenser and/or dispenser for a fluid other than water is on/off), fluid dispenser(s) flow rate, load applied (e.g., the force applied between the platen and the specimen by, for example, operating an actuator to press the platen or the specimen holder into the other of the platen or specimen holder), and so forth.

The grinding/polishing parameters may be adjusted with the parameter inputs130-142in various ways. For example, a parameter may be toggled on and off by pressing the input on the touchscreen. The input130-142may, for example, change in appearance when toggled on/off, such as by changing color or brightness, a change in indicia or any other change to indicate that the input has been toggled. In embodiments, a parameter may be adjusted by selecting on the display124the parameter input130-142associated with the particular grinding/polishing parameter a user intends to change, and adjusting the value associated with the parameter upwards or downwards by selecting the adjustment inputs152or154, respectively, until the desired value is reached. In the embodiment depicted inFIG.3, the adjustment inputs152and154have indicia in the form of arrows to indicate adjustment upwards (e.g., increase value) and downwards (e.g., decrease value). Any desirable indicia may be utilized to convey the function of the input.

The parameter inputs130-142in the embodiment shown also display grinding/polishing parameter information160-172associated with the parameter. The parameter information160-172in embodiments is updated as the parameters are, for example, toggled, (e.g., on/off) or adjusted by the user. The parameter information160-172may include the on/off, cycle time selected (e.g., “10 minutes,” “0:10,” etc.), the rotation or oscillation speed selected (e.g., “50 rpm,” “80 rpm,” etc.), on/off, direction of rotation (e.g., indicated by an arrow), load applied (e.g., “8 lbs,” “35.5 N,” etc.), and so forth, depending on the particular grinding/polishing parameter associated with the input.

In the particular embodiment ofFIG.3, grinding/polishing parameters are assigned to each parameter input130-142. Parameter input130is a cycle time input and is adjustable to set the amount of time that controller190will control the grinding/polishing device to operate a cycle. The cycle time input130may include indicia, such as a clock logo as depicted inFIG.3, or other indicia, such as text, numerals, characters, graphics, and so forth, to convey to a user that the input is associated with cycle time. The parameter information160for cycle time input130displays the current time setting for a cycle (e.g., 10 minutes, 12 minutes, etc.). To adjust the cycle time, a user may select the cycle time input130and then press the adjustment inputs152or154to adjust the time upwards or downwards. The parameter information160will change as the user adjusts the cycle time with the adjustment inputs152,154. In one example, pressing the adjustment inputs152,154a single time adjusts the time in 10-second increments. In other examples, the time could be adjusted in increments of 1 second, 30 seconds, one minute, or any other desired increment. In certain embodiments, the time may also be manually entered, for example, with a numeric pad input or keyboard on the screen.

Parameter input132is a platen rotation speed input and is adjustable to set the speed at which the controller190during a cycle operates the actuator117to rotate the platen. The platen rotation speed input132includes a graphical indicia indicative of the platen speed, but any other indicia may be utilized. The parameter information162for the platen rotation speed input132displays the current speed setting for the cycle (e.g., 50 rpms, 80 rpms, 0 rpms/off, etc.). The platen rotation speed input132may be selected and the speed adjusted with the adjustment inputs152,154, or with another input such as a numeric pad or keyboard.

Parameter input134is a specimen holder rotation speed input and is adjustable to set the speed at which the controller190during a cycle operates the actuator118to rotate the specimen holder. The specimen holder rotation speed input134includes a graphical indicia indicative of the specimen holder speed, but any other indicia may be utilized. The parameter information164for the specimen holder speed input134may include the current speed setting for the cycle (e.g., 50 rpms, 80 rpms, 0 rpms/off, etc.). The specimen holder rotation speed input134may also be selected and the speed adjusted with the adjustment inputs152,154, or with another input such as a numeric pad or keyboard.

Parameter input136is a rotation direction input and is adjustable to set the rotation direction at which the controller190during a cycle operates the actuator117and/or118to rotate the platen and/or specimen holder. The rotation direction input136may be adjusted by toggling the input, for example, by pressing the rotation direction input136on the touchscreen. In embodiments, the direction input136may be adjusted by selecting the input and adjusting the adjustment inputs152,154. The direction of rotation of the platen and/or specimen holder is displayed at parameter information166. In embodiments, the parameter information166includes an arrow indicating the direction, but any indicia indicative of the direction of rotation of the platen and/or the specimen holder may be desirable.

Parameter input138in this embodiment is a load input and is adjustable to set the force or load between the platen and specimen by causing the controller190during a cycle to operate the actuator117and/or118to press the platen or specimen holder into the other of the platen or the specimen holder. The load input138may include indicia, such as force indicia shown inFIG.3, or other indicia as is desirable, to convey to a user that the input is associated with load setting. The parameter information168for load input130displays the force or load applied (e.g., 8 lbs, 35 N, etc.). To adjust the load, a user may select the load input138and then press the adjustment inputs152or154to adjust the force or load upwards or downwards. The parameter information168will change as the user adjusts the load with the adjustment inputs152,154. In one example, pressing the adjustment inputs152,154a single time adjusts the load in an increment of 1 lb. In other examples, the load could be adjusted in increments of 0.5 lbs, 2 lbs, etc. In certain embodiments, the load may also be manually entered, for example, with a numeric pad input or keyboard on the screen.

Parameter inputs140,142in the embodiment depicted are fluid dispenser inputs, one for water and the other for another type of fluid. Each is selectable to cause the controller190during a cycle to operate the dispensers120to dispenser water and/or other fluids. The flow rates, on/off status, or other information associated with the dispenser may be displayed at parameter information170,172. The flow rate and on/off is adjustable, for example, by selecting the desired input140,142and adjusting with the adjustment inputs152,154.

The graphical user interface126further includes a number of other inputs, menus, settings, and so forth. For example, in the embodiment depicted, the home screen128includes an input143to access various menus, setting and other data screens. The home screen further includes a start cycle input144that may be selected after all the desired parameter inputs130-142have been selected and/or adjusted as desired to initiate a grinding/polishing cycle. When a grinding/polishing cycle is initiated, the controller190operates the actuators117,118, and the dispenser120, as applicable, to perform a grinding/polishing cycle on one or more specimens116in accordance with the grinding/polishing parameters. The cycle may also be run in accordance with other parameters, which may be set by default, preprogrammed, or may not be adjustable by the user. The cycle runs for the duration selected with the cycle time input130, or until a user manually stops a cycle, for example, with the stop cycle input146. In embodiments, other inputs may be utilized in the graphical user interface and/or outside of the graphical user interface to intimate or stop a cycle. For example, with reference toFIG.1, the device may include start buttons148to start a cycle and a stop button150to stop a cycle in addition to or in lieu of start/stop inputs on the graphical user interface.

Returning toFIG.3, the home screen128of the graphical user interface126depicted also includes a number of quick-recall inputs180-188. Quick-recall inputs180-188may include indicia, for example, logos, numerals, characters, graphics, and so forth. A user may operate the user interface to cause the controller to save the current grinding/polishing parameters to memory and assign the parameters to one of the quick-recall inputs180-188. The saved parameters may be recalled quickly directly from the home screen by selecting the quick-recall input associated with the desired parameters.

More specifically, in embodiments, the user may adjust one or more grinding/polishing parameters, such as the parameters associated with the various parameter inputs130-142, by selecting or toggling the various parameter inputs130-142and adjusting parameter values, for example, with the adjustment inputs152,154, as may be desired for a particular grinding/polishing cycle. The user may then operate the unit control panel122to save the selected parameters to memory and assign the selected parameters to a particular quick-recall input. In embodiments, the controller190saves the parameters to memory or storage device191(FIG.2) and assigns the parameters to a quick-recall input180-188when a user presses and holds the quick-recall input for a period of time (e.g., one second or another preselected time).

The graphical user interface126may indicate to a user that the parameters have been saved to memory and assigned to a quick-recall input, for example, by a change in indicia on the quick-recall input, a dialogue, or the like. Each of the quick-recall inputs180-188may be programmed in a similar manner to associate the quick-recall inputs with a desired plurality of grinding/polishing parameters.

While five quick-recall inputs are shown inFIG.3, any number of quick-recall inputs may be utilized. In embodiments, the quick-recall inputs are on a home screen of the graphical user interface so as to be quickly and immediately accessible to a user without, for example, requiring navigation through a menu system of the user interface. In embodiments, the quick-recall inputs appear on the home screen and appear by default when the device is turned on. In other embodiments, quick-recall inputs may additionally or alternatively be on other screens and within other menus as may be desired by various users.

A user may, as desired, perform a grinding/polishing program by operating the various quick-recall inputs in series, where the cycle associated with each quick-recall input represents a step in the program. For example, an operator may first program the quick-recall inputs180-188, and then press the inputs180-188in series to perform the cycles associated with each input. In an embodiment, the user waits for the prior cycle to complete and then presses the next quick-recall input to begin the next step in the cycle, and so forth, until completed. In embodiments, a program comprising a number of steps, each step associated with a single quick-recall input, may be executed automatically by the controller upon selection of each step by the user. Moreover, any number of quick-recall inputs may be preprogrammed, for example, by the manufacture, to enable the user to perform a grinding/polishing cycle. Any of the parameter inputs may also have preprogrammed values that are selectable with the unit control pad. Many methods of control and operation may be utilized with the parameter inputs and quick-recall inputs.

A method200of operating a grinding/polishing device is represented inFIG.4which includes executing machine readable instructions to cause a controller to perform steps202-208. Step202includes saving to the machine readable storage device a plurality of user-selected grinding/polishing parameters based on grinding/polishing parameter inputs received by an input device, the grinding/polishing parameters comprising at least two of a cycle time, a platen speed, a specimen speed, a platen direction, a specimen direction, and an applied load. Step204includes associating the plurality of user-selected grinding/polishing parameters with one of a plurality of quick-recall inputs of an input device. Step206includes configuring the grinding/polishing parameters based on the grinding/polishing parameters stored in the machine readable storage device in association with the selected one of the quick-recall inputs, in response to selection of one of the quick-recall inputs of the user interface input device. Step208includes controlling an actuator of the grinder/polisher that is configured to move at least one of a specimen holder and a platen of the grinder/polisher to perform a grinding/polishing operation in accordance with the configured grinding/polishing parameters.

FIG.5represents a method300for operating a grinder/polisher, where the grinder/polisher includes (i) a specimen holder configured to secure a specimen, (i) a platen, (ii) an actuator configured to move at least one of the specimen holder and the platen, (iii) an input device that includes a plurality of quick-recall inputs that is configured to receive grinding/polishing parameter inputs representative of grinding/polishing parameters, where the grinding/polishing parameters comprise at least two of a cycle time, a platen speed, a specimen speed, a platen direction, a specimen direction, and an applied load, and wherein the quick-recall inputs are selectable on a same interface as the user parameter inputs, (iv) a machine readable storage device, and (v) a controller.

According to the method300, step302includes saving, to the machine readable storage device, a plurality of user-selected grinding/polishing parameters based on the grinding/polishing parameter inputs received by the input device. Step304includes associating the plurality of user-selected grinding/polishing parameters with one of the quick-recall inputs. Step306includes selecting one of the quick-recall inputs. Step308includes configuring the grinding/polishing parameters based on the grinding/polishing parameters stored in the machine readable storage device in association with the selected one of the quick-recall inputs. Step310includes controlling the actuator to perform a grinding/polishing operation in accordance with the configured grinding/polishing parameters.

Steps306and308, in embodiments, are repeated to program multiple quick-recall inputs, and step310is repeated for each quick-call input to perform multiple grinding/polishing operations, for example, in sequence, where each operation represents a step in a program. By repeating step310for each quick-recall input, the entire program may be executed.

Methods and systems described may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The methods and/or systems may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computing system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may include a general-purpose computing system with a program or other code that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computing system such that it carries out the methods described herein. Another typical implementation may comprise an application specific integrated circuit or chip. Some implementations may comprise a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer readable) medium (e.g., FLASH drive, optical disk, magnetic storage disk, or the like) having stored thereon one or more lines of code executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform processes as described herein.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation. However, the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

While the present method and/or system has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. For example, block and/or components of disclosed examples may be combined, divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. Therefore, the present method and/or system are not limited to the particular implementations disclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, both literally and under the doctrine of equivalents. While the controllers and methods are described as being employed in connection with a grinding/polishing device, the teachings may be similarly applied to other devices where it is desirous to determine control grinding and/or polishing operations.

All documents cited herein, including journal articles or abstracts, published or corresponding U.S. or foreign patent applications, issued or foreign patents, or any other documents are each entirely incorporated by reference herein, including all data, tables, figures, and text presented in the cited documents.