U.S. patent application number 09/344852 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for wet type buffing method, deposition plating method work buffing method, work buffing apparatus barrel buffing apparatus, work surface treatingmethod, work supporting unit for barrel buffing apparatus and buffing medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to BBF YAMATE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to KAWASAKI, SHUJI, MATSUSHITA, AKITAKA.
Application Number | 20010003699 09/344852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27550266 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAWASAKI, SHUJI ; et
al. |
June 14, 2001 |
WET TYPE BUFFING METHOD, DEPOSITION PLATING METHOD WORK BUFFING
METHOD, WORK BUFFING APPARATUS BARREL BUFFING APPARATUS, WORK
SURFACE TREATINGMETHOD, WORK SUPPORTING UNIT FOR BARREL BUFFING
APPARATUS AND BUFFING MEDIUM
Abstract
A wet type buffing method is practiced such that a final buffing
step is conducted in a buffing liquid having alkality and the
remaining buffing steps are conducted in other buffing liquid
having acidity. A work buffing apparatus is constructed such that a
disconnection preventive member is disposed at the foremost end of
a shaft for a work, the outside of a buffing wheel comes in contact
with the disconnection preventive member, a tightening nut is
threadably engaged with the buffing wheel, and the buffing wheel is
tightly fixed to the shaft by displacing the tightening nut along
the shaft. In addition, a surface treatment conducting method is
practiced such that each surface treatment is conducted after a
work is subjected to barrel buffing before or after the surface
treatment. Additionally, a work supporting apparatus includes a
buffing medium receiving container having a buffing medium received
therein and a work supporting arm. Further, a buffing medium
employable for a buffing apparatus is composed of grain of soft
material or small block of the soft material.
Inventors: |
KAWASAKI, SHUJI;
(HAMAMATSU-SHI, JP) ; MATSUSHITA, AKITAKA;
(HAMAMATSU-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MURAMATSU AND ASSOCIATES
7700 IRVINE CENTER DRIVE SUITE 225
IRVINE
CA
92618
|
Assignee: |
BBF YAMATE CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
27550266 |
Appl. No.: |
09/344852 |
Filed: |
June 28, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09344852 |
Jun 28, 1999 |
|
|
|
08929785 |
Sep 15, 1997 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 31/14 20130101;
B24B 1/00 20130101; B24D 13/20 20130101; B24B 29/00 20130101; B24B
29/02 20130101; B24B 57/02 20130101; B24B 31/064 20130101; B24B
31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/85 |
International
Class: |
B24B 001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 1996 |
JP |
8-332865 |
Nov 27, 1996 |
JP |
8-332866 |
Dec 31, 1996 |
JP |
8-358014 |
Dec 31, 1996 |
JP |
8-358015 |
Feb 14, 1997 |
JP |
9-47369 |
Feb 14, 1997 |
JP |
9-47370 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of practicing a wet type buffing process by way of a
series of wet type buffing steps, wherein a final buffing step in
said plurality of buffing steps is practiced in a buffing liquid
having alkality, and buffing steps to be practiced before said
final buffing step are practiced in another buffing liquid having
acidity.
2. A method of conducting deposition plating, wherein a work is
subjected to wet buffing after said work is subjected to dry
buffing, and thereafter, said deposition plating is conducted for a
surface of said work to be buffed.
3. A method of buffing a work, wherein said work is subjected to
dry buffing after a surface of said work to be buffed is subjected
to barrel buffing, and thereafter, said work is subjected to wet
buffing.
4. A method of buffing a work, wherein said work is subjected to
dry buffing after a surface of said work to be buffed is subjected
to barrel buffing, thereafter, said work is subjected to barrel
buffing, and subsequently, said work is subjected to wet
buffing.
5. A method of buffing a work, wherein said work is subjected to
dry buffing after a surface of said work is subjected to barrel
buffing, thereafter, said work is subjected to barrel buffing,
subsequently, said work is subjected to wet buffing, and finally,
said work is subjected to barrel buffing.
6. A method of practicing a wet type buffing process by allowing a
work to be subjected to buffing with the aid of a buffing wheel
while a buffing liquid is fed between the buffing surface of the
rotating buffing wheel and a surface of said work to be buffed,
wherein said work is buffed in the vacuum atmosphere or in the
nitrogen gas atmosphere during said wet type buffing process.
7. A method of practicing a wet type buffing process by allowing a
work to be subjected to buffing with the aid of a buffing wheel
while a buffing liquid is fed between the buffing surface of said
buffing wheel and a surface of said work to be buffed, wherein said
surface of said work to be buffed is subjected to buffing while
nitrogen gas is fed to said surface of said work to be buffed.
8. An apparatus for buffing a work while a shaft is fitted to a
buffing wheel, and then, said shaft is rotated about an axis line
of said shaft, wherein a disconnection preventive member is
disposed at the foremost end of said shaft, the outside of said
buffing wheel is brought in contact with said disconnection
preventive member, a tightening nut is threadably engaged with the
inside of said buffing wheel, and said buffing wheel is tightly
fixed to said shaft by threadably displacing said nut along said
shaft.
9. The apparatus for buffing a work as claimed in claim 8, wherein
a diameter enlarged part is formed around the periphery of a shaft
hole on the outside of said buffing wheel so as to enable said
disconnection preventive member to be received in said diameter
enlarged part.
10. An apparatus for buffing a work in a barrel, wherein said
apparatus includes a buffing medium receiving container having a
buffing medium received therein and a work adapted to be vibrated,
said buffing medium receiving container includes an upper end
opening, a buffing medium feeding port is formed at the bottom of
said upper end opening, said work is located below said buffing
medium feeding port, and said buffing medium can continuously be
fed to the surface of said work while said work is vibrated.
11. The apparatus for buffing a work in a barrel as claimed in
claim 10, wherein a guide sleeve is arranged between said buffing
medium feeding port of said buffing medium receiving container and
the surface of said work.
12. The apparatus for buffing a work in a barrel as claimed in
claim 11, wherein said guide sleeve is vibrated integrally with
said work.
13. The apparatus for buffing a work in a barrel as claimed in
claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said buffing medium received in said
buffing medium receiving container can be compressed by using
suitable means.
14. A method of conducting surface treatment, wherein said surface
treatment is conducted after a work is subjected to barrel buffing
before said surface treatment or after said surface treatment.
15. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in claim
14, wherein barrel buffing is conducted with the use of a barrel
buffing apparatus including a buffing medium receiving container
having a buffing medium received therein and a work adapted to be
vibrated, said buffing medium receiving container includes an upper
end opening, a buffing medium feeding port is formed at the bottom
of said buffing medium receiving container, said work is located
below said buffing medium feeding port, and said buffing medium
received in said buffing medium receiving container can
continuously be fed to the surface of said work while said work is
vibrated.
16. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in claim
14, wherein barrel buffing is conducted with the use of a barrel
buffing apparatus including a buffing medium receiving container
having a buffing medium received therein and a work supporting arm,
said buffing medium receiving container includes an upper end
opening, and the upper end part of said work supporting arm can
vibratively be displaced from the position located substantially
directly above said upper end opening along the vertical surface
within the range defined by said buffing medium receiving
container.
17. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in claim
16, wherein said work supporting arm can turnably be displaced in
the horizontal direction.
18. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in claim
16 or claim 17, wherein said work supporting arm can forwardly and
backwardly be displaced in the axial direction.
19. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in any
one of claim 14 to claim 18, wherein said surface treatment is
coating.
20. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in any
one of claim 14 to claim 18, wherein said surface treatment is
plating.
21. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in any
one of claim 14 to claim 18, wherein said surface treatment is
alumite treatment.
22. The method of conducting surface treatment as claimed in any
one of claim 14 to claim 21, wherein said work is a wheel usable
for a vehicle or the like.
23. An apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus, wherein said apparatus includes a buffing medium
receiving container having a buffing medium received therein and a
work supporting arm, said buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, and said work supporting arm can
turnably be displaced from the position located substantially
directly above said upper end opening within the range defined by
said buffing medium receiving container along the vertical
surface.
24. The apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said work supporting arm
can turnably be displaced in the horizontal direction.
25. The apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein said work
supporting arm can forwardly and backwardly be displaced in the
axial direction.
26. A buffing medium usable for a buffing apparatus, wherein said
buffing medium is composed of grain of soft material or small block
of said soft material.
27. An apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus, wherein said apparatus includes a buffing medium
receiving container having a buffing medium received therein and a
work supporting arm, said buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, said work supporting arm is arranged
at the position tortuously located relative to a rotational shaft,
said work supporting arm can turnably be displaced about said
rotational shaft within the range of about 180.degree. from said
buffing medium receiving container, and the fore end part of said
work supporting arm assumes a downwardly inclined state in the
forward direction when said work supporting arm is located on the
buffing medium receiving container side.
28. The apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said work supporting arm
can forwardly and backwardly be displaced in the axial
direction.
29. The apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing
apparatus as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein a tortuous
angle of said work supporting arm relative to said rotational shaft
can be adjusted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a wet type buffing method,
a deposition plating method, a work buffing method, a work buffing
apparatus, a barrel buffing apparatus, a work surface treating
method, a work supporting unit for a barrel buffing apparatus, and
a buffing medium. Particularly, with respect to the deposition
plating method, the present invention is applicable to a method of
conducting deposition plating after a work is subjected to buffing,
and moreover, with respect to the work buffing apparatus, the
present invention is applicable to a method of mounting a buffing
wheel on the work buffing apparatus.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] (First Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0005] The conventional wet type buffing method is exemplified by a
method of improving a buffing efficiency by using an acid buffing
agent and a method of smoothly buffing a work by using an alkaline
buffing agent.
[0006] However, with respect to the conventional buffing method as
mentioned above, in the case that a buffing agent having acidity is
used like the first-mentioned conventional buffing method, the
buffing efficiency can be improved but there appears an
inconvenience that it is appreciably difficult to smoothly buff
each work. On the other hand, in the case that a buffing agent
having alkality is used like the last-mentioned conventional
buffing method, each work can smoothly be buffed but an oxide film
or the like remaining on the surface of the work can be removed
from the work only with much difficulties. As a result, there
appears an inconvenience that it is difficult to improve the
buffing efficiency with the conventional buffing method.
[0007] (Second Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0008] In the case that a deposition plating operation is performed
with a work after this work is subjected to buffing, the
conventional plating process is practiced in accordance with either
one of the hitherto employed methods as mentioned below. In detail,
one (1) of the hitherto employed methods is a method of conducting
deposition plating after completion of the dry type buffing
operation, and other one (2) of the hitherto employed methods is a
method of conducting deposition plating after completion of a wet
type buffing operation.
[0009] However, with respect to the first-mentioned conventional
buffing method, since dry type buffing is employed as buffing
means, the buffing time can be shortened but the resultant buffed
surface of the work exhibits poor surface roughness with a reduced
degree of brightness. Consequently, there arises an inconvenience
that the thickness of a deposition plated layer should be
increased, and moreover, it is practically difficult to improve the
operational efficiency of each deposition plating operation
performed for the work. In addition, with respect to the
last-mentioned conventional buffing method, since wet type buffing
is employed as buffing means, a quantity of surface roughness
attained by the conventional buffing method on completion of each
buffing operation can improvably be elevated. As a result, the
thickness of deposition plating can be reduced but the time
required for performing each buffing operation is undesirably
elongated. For this reason, an inconvenience arises in the same
manner as mentioned above such that it is practically difficult to
improve the operational efficiency attained by the deposition
plating process with each buffed work.
[0010] (Third Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0011] Among the conventional work buffing methods, there is a wet
type buffing method which is practiced such that a work is
subjected to dry buffing with the aid of a buffing wheel, and
thereafter, the dry buffed surface of the work is subjected to wet
buffing.
[0012] However, when the conventional buffing method as mentioned
above is employed for the purpose of buffing each work, this work
is subjected merely to wet buffing in the presence of an acid
detergent liquid. For this reason, there arises an inconvenience
that dirty foreign matters are removed from the surface of the work
with some difficulty, and moreover, it is practically difficult to
remove an oxide film from the surface of the work due to the
substantially intense strengthening achieved for the work in the
presence of the acid detergent liquid.
[0013] (Fourth Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0014] With the conventional wet type buffing method, the surface
of a work to be buffed is subjected to wet buffing by using a
buffing wheel while a buffing liquid is fed between the surface of
the work to be buffed and the rotating buffing wheel.
[0015] However, when the conventional buffing method as mentioned
above is employed, the surface of the work to be buffed is oxidized
during each buffing operation, causing an oxide film to be readily
formed on the work. As a result, there arises an inconvenience that
it is practically difficult to improve a quality of each buffing
operation.
[0016] (Fifth Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0017] With respect to a conventional work buffing apparatus, as
shown in FIG. 3, an immovable engaging member 530 is disposed on
the inside of a buffing wheel 520 fitted onto a shaft 510, a
tightening nut 540 is threadably engaged with the outside of the
buffing wheel 520, and the tightening nut 540 is threadably
displaced along the shaft 510, causing the buffing wheel 520 to be
immovably tightened at the fore end part of the shaft 510. While
the foregoing state is maintained, a work (for example, wheel
usable for vehicle or the like) W is subjected to buffing by
rotation of the buffing wheel 520 about an axis line O of the shaft
510.
[0018] However, when the conventional buffing apparatus as
mentioned above is employed, since the tightening nut 540 disposed
on the shaft 510 of the buffing wheel 520 is displaced along the
fore end part of the shaft 510, this fore end part of the shaft 510
is caused to project from the outside surface of the buffing wheel
520 by a distance equal to the thickness of the tightening nut 540
plus the tightening distance. As a result, the projected part of
the shaft 510 becomes a kind of obstruction for a buffing operation
to be performed with the buffing wheel 520. Consequently, there
arises an inconvenience that it is practically difficult to improve
the operational efficiency attained by the buffing operation.
Especially, in the case that a pair of buffing wheels 520 are
arranged on shafts 510 in the opposing relationship relative to
each other so as to allow a single kind of work W to be subjected
to buffing as shown in FIG. 3, there arises an inconvenience that
the fore end parts of the shafts 510 projected from buffing wheels
520 function as a kind of obstruction for preventing the buffing
wheels 520 from being displaced, resulting in each buffing
operation being performed for the central part of the work W
(rotational operation of the work W about an axis line of each
shaft 510) with some difficult.
[0019] In addition, with the conventional buffing apparatus
constructed in the above-described manner, since the buffing wheels
520 are immovably mounted on the shafts 510 with the inside
surfaces thereof serving as reference, the positions assumed by the
fore end surfaces of the buffing wheels 520 are caused to vary in
dependence on the thickness of each buffing wheel 520. As a result,
there arises an inconvenience that it is practically difficult to
determine the position assumed by each buffing wheel 520 relative
to the work W.
[0020] (Sixth Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0021] With respect to the conventional barrel buffing apparatus,
each work is subjected to buffing by allowing a buffing medium to
flow in a buffing medium receiving container while the work is
received in the buffing medium receiving container.
[0022] However, with the conventional barrel buffing apparatus
constructed in the above-described manner, since an operational
extent attained by the buffing medium is limited within a certain
range by the buffing medium, it is required that the buffing medium
is replaced with other one in dependence on an object of each
buffing operation, i.e., a rough buffing step, an intermediate
finish buffing step and a final finish buffing step, and
alternatively, it is required that a plurality of barrel buffing
apparatuses each including a buffing medium selected in such a
manner as to match with a certain object of the conventional barrel
buffing apparatus are preparatively arranged. At any rate, there
arises an inconvenience that it is practically difficult to improve
an operational efficiency of each barrel buffing operation with the
conventional barrel buffing apparatus.
[0023] (Seventh Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0024] In fact, there is hitherto employed a technique for allowing
the surface of a work to be coated with a certain material after
completion of each buffing operation.
[0025] However, with the foregoing conventional technique, each
work is subjected to buffing merely by using operator's hands.
Consequently, there arises an inconvenience that an operational
extent attained by each buffing operation readily fluctuates,
resulting in each coating operation being unavoidably performed
with some fluctuation. In addition, since it is required that burrs
formed on the work because of a necessity for correctly performing
each coating operation are removed from the work, there arises an
inconvenience that it is practically difficult to improve the
operational efficiency attained by employing the foregoing
conventional technique.
[0026] (Eighth Conventional Technique and its Drawbacks)
[0027] With the conventional barrel buffing apparatus, each work is
subjected to buffing by allowing a buffing medium to flow in a
buffing medium receiving container while the work is dipped in the
buffing medium received in the buffing medium receiving
container.
[0028] However, with the conventional barrel buffing apparatus,
since each work is dipped in the barrel buffing medium received in
the buffing medium receiving container while it is seized with the
aid of a certain seizing instrument, there arises an inconvenience
that it is difficult to hold the work in the immovably seized
state. In addition, there arises an convenience that it is
difficult to attach the work to the seizing instrument and detach
the work from the seizing instrument. Especially, in the case of a
work having a large mass, the last-mentioned inconvenience appears
remarkably.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention has been made in order to eliminate
the inconvenience inherent to the first conventional technique as
mentioned above. Therefore, a first object of the present invention
is to provide a wet type buffing method which assures that an
operational efficiency of each wet type buffing operation can be
improved via a series of buffing steps, and consequently, each work
can smoothly be buffed (hereinafter referred to as "a first
invention").
[0030] In addition, the present invention has been made in order to
eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the second conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a second object of the
present invention is to provide a deposition plating method which
assures that the thickness of a deposition plated layer can be
reduced in excess of the thickness obtained by the conventional
deposition plating method, each deposition plating process can
quickly be practiced, and consequently, an operational efficiency
of each deposition plating operation can be improved for each
buffed work in association with the quick execution of the buffing
process (hereinafter referred to as "a second invention").
[0031] Additionally, the present invention has been made in order
to eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the third conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a third object of the
present invention is to provide a work buffing method which assures
that dirty foreign matters adhering to the surface of a work to be
buffed and an oxide film extending over the surface of the work can
easily be removed, thereafter, the surface of the work to be buffed
is subjected to dry buffing, and subsequently, the surface of the
work can be subjected to dry buffing (hereinafter referred to as "a
third invention").
[0032] Further, the present invention has been made in order to
eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the fourth conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a fourth object of the
present invention is to provide a wet type buffing method which
assures that the surface of a work to be buffed is not oxidized
during each buffing operation, resulting in any oxide film being
not formed on the surface of the work to be buffed, and
consequently, a quality of each buffing operation can be improved
in excess of the quality obtainable by performing the conventional
buffing operation (hereinafter referred to as "a fourth
invention").
[0033] Furthermore, the present invention has been made in order to
eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the fifth conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a fifth object of the
present invention is to provide a work buffing apparatus which
assures that any projected part is hardly formed on the outside
surface of a buffing wheel in the absence of foreign matters each
undesirable for performing a buffing operation, and consequently,
an operational efficiency of each buffing operation can easily be
improved (hereinafter referred to as "a fifth invention").
[0034] Moreover, the present invention has been made in order to
eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the six conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a sixth object of the
present invention is to provide a barrel buffing apparatus which
assures that a rough buffing operation can initially be performed
with a high intensity of pressure generated by the feeding of a
single kind of buffing medium, and thereafter, an intermediate
buffing step and a finish buffing step can sequentially be
practiced as the intensity of feeding pressure generated by the
feeding of the buffing medium is gradually reduced (hereinafter
referred to as "a sixth invention").
[0035] In addition, the present invention has been made in order to
eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the seventh conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, a seventh object of the
present invention is to provide a work surface treating method
which assures that an operational efficiency of each surface
treatment can easily be improved (hereinafter referred to as "a
seventh invention).
[0036] Additionally, the present invention has been made in order
to eliminate the inconvenience inherent to the eighth conventional
technique as mentioned above. Therefore, an eighth object of the
present invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting a work
for a barrel buffing apparatus which assures that a work having a
large mass can easily be attached thereto and detached therefrom,
and an operational efficiency of each barrel buffing operation can
be improved (hereinafter referred to as "an eighth invention" and
"a ninth invention").
STRUCTURE OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0037] According to the first invention of the present invention,
the wet type buffing method including a series of wet type buffing
steps in the combined state is practiced such that a final buffing
step in the plural buffing steps is conducted by using a buffing
liquid having alkality, and moreover, other buffing steps before
the final buffing step are conducted by using a buffing liquid
having acidity.
[0038] With this wet type buffing method, a buffing efficiency
obtainable by the buffing step before the final buffing step having
no influence on a final product can be improved, and moreover, each
work can smoothly be buffed during the final buffing step having
substantial influence on the final product.
[0039] Therefore, when this wet type buffing method is employed, an
efficiency of each buffing operation can be improved during a
series of buffing steps, and finally, each work can smoothly be
subjected to buffing.
[0040] According to the second invention of the present invention,
the deposition plating method is practiced such that each work is
subjected to wet buffing, and thereafter, deposition plating is
conducted on the surface of the work to be buffed. Thus, after the
work is quickly buffed during the dry type buffing step, a quality
of surface roughness of the work is elevated during the wet type
buffing step, and thereafter, deposition plating is conducted for
the work in accordance with the deposition plating method.
[0041] Therefore, when this deposition plating method is employed,
a thickness of the deposition plated layer can be reduced in excess
of the thickness of the plated layer formed in accordance with the
conventional deposition plating method, whereby the deposition
plating step can quickly be conducted. As a result, an operational
efficiency of each deposition plating operation performed for each
buffed work can be improved in association with quick execution of
the buffing step.
[0042] According to the third invention of the present invention,
the work buffing method is practiced such that each work is
subjected to dry buffing after a surface of the work to be buffed
is subjected to barrel buffing, and thereafter, the work is
subjected to wet buffing. Thus, dirty foreign matters adhering to
the surface of the work to be buffed and an oxide film extending
over the whole surface of the work can easily be removed prior to
steps to be conducted subsequent to the dry buffing and the wet
buffing.
[0043] Therefore, when this work buffing method is employed, the
surface of the work to be buffed can be subjected to dry buffing
after dirty foreign matters adhering to the surface of the work to
be buffed and an oxide film extending over the whole surface of the
work are easily removed, and thereafter, the work can be subjected
to wet buffing.
[0044] Incidentally, when barrel buffing is conducted as a step to
be practiced after the dry buffing, wet buffing can be conducted
after the oxide film formed when the dry buffing is conducted as
well as the buffing refuse adhering to the surface of the work are
removed from the work. Consequently, each wet type buffing
operation can be performed at a high efficiency, and moreover,
concave parts or the like remaining on the surface of the work, for
which any buffing operation can not practically be achieved with
buffing wheels during the dry buffing step can be subjected to
buffing. can be subjected to buffing.
[0045] In addition, when barrel buffing is conducted as a step to
be practiced after completion of the dry buffing and the wet
buffing, each wet buffing operation can be performed after the
oxide film formed during the dry buffing step as well as the
buffing refuse adhering to the surface of the work are removed from
the work, and moreover, concave parts or the like remaining on the
surface of the work, for which any buffing operation can not
practically be performed with buffing wheels during the dry buffing
step, can be subjected to buffing.
[0046] According to the fourth invention of the present invention,
the wet type buffing method wherein each work is buffed with the
aid of buffing wheels while a buffing agent is fed between the
buffing surface of each buffing wheel and the surface of the work
to be buffed is practiced such that each buffing operation is
performed under the vacuum atmosphere or under the nitrogen gas
atmosphere. Thus, the surface of the work to be buffed can be held
under the vacuum atmosphere or under the nitrogen gas atmosphere
during each buffing operation. Therefore, when the wet type buffing
method is employed, the surface of the work to be buffed is not
oxidized during each buffing operation, resulting in any oxide film
being not formed on the surface of the work to be buffed. As a
result, a quality of buffing operation can be improved in excess of
the quality of buffing operation obtainable by the conventional wet
type buffing method.
[0047] Incidentally, with this wet type buffing method, when the
surface of the work to be buffed is subjected to buffing while
nitrogen gas is blown to the surface of the work to be buffed, the
nitrogen atmosphere can be formed on the surface of the work to be
buffed without any necessity for covering the surface of the work
to be buffed with a casing or the like.
[0048] Therefore, when this wet type buffing method is employed,
any formation of the oxide film on the surface of the work can
reliably be prevented by using a simple unit.
[0049] According to the fifth invention of the present invention,
the work buffing apparatus including a shaft fitted to each buffing
wheel so as to allow a work to be buffed while the shaft is rotated
about its axis line is constructed such that a disconnection
preventive member is disposed at the foremost end of the shaft, the
outside of the buffing wheel is brought in contact with the
disconnection preventive member, a tightening nut is threadably
engaged with the inside of the buffing wheel mounted on the shaft,
and the buffing wheel is immovably fixed to the shaft by threadably
displacing the tightening nut relative to the shaft. Thus, in
contrast with the conventional work buffing apparatus, there does
not arise a necessity for disposing the tightening nut on the
outside surface of the buffing wheel and maintaining a tightening
distance for the tightening nut.
[0050] Therefore, when this work buffing apparatus is employed, any
protruded part is not formed from the outside surface of the
buffing wheel with the result that the presence of any undesirable
substance for preventing each buffing operation from being
correctly performed is not recognized on the work buffing
apparatus. Consequently, an operational efficiency of each buffing
operation can be improved. Especially, in the case that a single
work is subjected to buffing while a pair of buffing wheels are
mounted on the shafts in the opposing relationship relative to each
other with the single work maintained therebetween, there does not
occur a malfunction that displacement of each buffing wheel is
inhibitively hindered due to collision of the foremost ends of the
shafts with each other. Thus, the central part of each work can
sufficiently be subjected to buffing.
[0051] In addition, since the position assumed by each buffing
wheel relative to the shaft is definitely determined on the basis
of the outside surface of the buffing wheel, the outside surface of
the buffing wheel is caused to positionally vary depending on the
thickness of the buffing wheel. As a result, the position assumed
by the buffing wheel relative to the work can easily be
determined.
[0052] In addition, when a diameter enlarged part is formed around
the periphery of a shaft hole formed on the outside of the buffing
wheel so as to enable the disconnection preventive member to be
fully received in the diameter enlarged part of the buffing wheel,
the outside surface of the buffing wheel can be caused to coincide
with the foremost end of the shaft. As a result, each buffing
operation can more easily be performed, and moreover, the position
assumed by the buffing wheel relative to the work can more easily
be determined.
[0053] According to the sixth invention of the present invention,
the barrel buffing apparatus is constructed such that this
apparatus includes a buffing medium receiving container having a
buffing medium received therein and a work adapted to be
vibratively displaced, the buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, a buffing medium feeding port is
formed at the bottom part of the buffing medium receiving
container, the work is located below the buffing medium feeding
port, and the buffing medium received in the buffing medium
receiving container can continuously be fed to the work while this
work is vibratively displaced. Thus, an intensity of feeding
pressure acting on the work is gradually reduced, as the buffing
medium is increasingly discharged from the buffing medium receiving
container.
[0054] With such construction, when this barrel buffing apparatus
is employed, a rough buffing operation can be performed during the
initial period of time when a single kind of buffing medium is fed
to the work at a high intensity of feeding pressure, and
additionally, a series of steps comprising an intermediate finish
buffing step and a final finish buffing step can continuously be
practiced as the intensity of feeding pressure of the buffing
medium is gradually reduced.
[0055] Further, since the buffing medium is caused to naturally
fall down, it is easily introduced into hole portions formed on the
work. As a result, the hole portions on the work can more
adequately be subjected to buffing.
[0056] Moreover, since the feeding of the buffing medium to the
surface of the work is achieved in dependence on the natural
falling-down of the buffing medium, few noisy sound is generated
from the barrel buffing apparatus, and moreover, a quantity of
consumption of energy can be reduced with the barrel buffing
apparatus.
[0057] Incidentally, when a guide sleeve is arranged between the
feeding port of the buffing medium receiving container and the
surface of the work, the feeding of the buffing medium to the work
can be achieved without any particular loss.
[0058] In addition, when the guide sleeve is vibrated integrally
with the work, the feeding of the buffing medium to the work can
more smoothly be achieved.
[0059] Additionally, when the buffing medium received in the
buffing medium receiving container can be compressed by actuating
suitable means, an operational extent attained by each buffing
operation performed for the work can be changed.
[0060] According to the seventh invention of the present invention,
the work surface treating method is practiced such that the work is
subjected to buffing before surface treatment or after surface
treatment, and thereafter, this surface treatment is conducted with
the use of a barrel buffing apparatus. Thus, an operational extent
attained by each buffing operation can be uniformalized, and
moreover, any formation of burrs on the work is not recognized on
the surface of the work. Consequently, each surface treatment can
easily be achieved as a post-step.
[0061] Therefore, when this work surface treatment method is
employed, an operational efficiency attained by each surface
treatment can easily be improved.
[0062] Incidentally, when each barrel buffing operation is
performed with the use of a barrel buffing apparatus of the type
which is constructed such that this apparatus includes a buffing
medium receiving container having a buffing medium received therein
and a work adapted to be vibratively displaced, the buffing medium
receiving container includes an upper end opening, a buffing medium
feeding port is formed on the bottom part of the buffing medium
receiving container, the work is located below the buffing medium
feeding port, and the buffing medium can continuously be fed to the
surface of the work while this work is vibratively displaced, an
intensity of feeding pressure acting on the work is gradually
reduced as the buffing medium is increasingly discharged from the
buffing medium receiving container. Consequently, a rough buffing
operation can be performed during the initial period of time when a
high intensity of feeding pressure acts on a single kind of buffing
medium, and moreover, a series of operational steps comprising an
intermediate finish buffing step and a final finish buffing step
can continuously be conducted with the barrel buffing
apparatus.
[0063] In addition, when each barrel buffing operation is performed
with the use of a barrel buffing apparatus of the type which is
constructed such that this apparatus includes a buffing medium
receiving container having a buffing medium received therein and a
work supporting arm, the buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, and the fore end part of the work
supporting arm can be turned within the range defined by the
buffing medium receiving container from the position located
substantially directly above the buffing medium receiving
container, the work can be attached to the work supporting arm and
detached from the same while the fore end part of the work
supporting arm is located directly above the upper end opening of
the buffing medium receiving container. Therefore, each work having
a large mass can be attached to the work supporting arm and
detached from the same.
[0064] Additionally, when the work supporting arm is turned in the
horizontal direction, the work can easily be located at an adequate
position located in the buffing medium receiving container.
[0065] Further, when the work supporting arm can forwardly and
backwardly be displaced in the axial direction, the work can be
displaced to assume a low position when it is attached to the work
supporting arm and detached from the same. Thus, attachment of the
work to the work supporting arm and detachment of the work from the
same can more easily be conducted.
[0066] Incidentally, the surface treatment is conducted in the form
of, e.g., coating, plating, alumite treatment or the like, and the
work is typically exemplified by a wheel usable for a vehicle or
the like.
[0067] According to the eighth embodiment of the present invention,
the apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing apparatus
is constructed such that this apparatus includes a buffing medium
receiving container having a buffing medium received therein and a
work supporting arm, the buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, and the fore end part of the work
supporting arm can turnably be displaced within the range defined
by the buffing medium receiving container from the position located
substantially directly above the upper end opening of the buffing
medium receiving container. Thus, since each work can be attached
to the work supporting arm and detached from the same while the
fore end part of the work supporting arm is located directly above
the upper end opening of the buffing medium receiving container,
each work having a large mass can easily be attached to the work
supporting arm and detached from the same.
[0068] Therefore, when this apparatus for supporting a work for a
barrel buffing apparatus is employed, an operational efficiency
attained by each barrel buffing operation can be improved.
[0069] In addition, when the work supporting arm is turnably
displaced in the horizontal direction, the work can easily be
located at an adequate position in the buffing medium receiving
container.
[0070] Additionally, when the work supporting arm is forwardly and
backwardly displaced in the axial direction, each work can be
dislocated to assume a low position when the work is attached to
the arm supporting arm and detached from the same. Thus, the work
can more easily be attached to the work supporting arm and detached
from the same.
[0071] Incidentally, when soft material such as sponge, rubber,
soft plastic or the like is used for the buffing medium in the form
of grain or small block, a finish buffing step can be practiced at
a high efficiency. Further, a soft material may be coated on the
surface of hard grain or hard small block so as to allow it to be
used as a buffing medium.
[0072] According to the ninth invention of the present invention,
the apparatus for supporting a work for a barrel buffing apparatus
is constructed such that this apparatus includes a buffing medium
receiving container having a buffing medium received therein and a
work supporting arm, the buffing medium receiving container
includes an upper end opening, the work supporting arm is arranged
at the position tortuously located relative to a rotational shaft,
the work supporting arm can turnably be displaced about the
rotational shaft within the range of about 180.degree. from the
buffing medium receiving container, and the fore end part of the
work supporting arm assumes a downwardly inclined state in the
forward direction when the work supporting arm is located on the
buffing medium receiving container side. Thus, when the work
supporting arm is turned about the rotational shaft to assume the
position located opposite to the buffing medium receiving container
side, the work mounted at the fore end part of the work supporting
arm can easily be attached to the work supporting arm and detached
from the same. In addition, when the work supporting arm is turned
about the rotational shaft to assume the position located on the
buffing medium receiving container side, the work supporting arm is
downwardly inclined in the forward direction, whereby the work is
dipped in the buffing medium received in the buffing medium
receiving container, causing the work to be subjected to barrel
buffing.
[0073] Consequently, when the apparatus for supporting a work for a
barrel buffing apparatus is employed, each work having a large mass
can easily be attached to the work supporting arm and detached from
the same. Thus, the operational efficiency attained by the barrel
buffing operation can be improved.
[0074] In addition, provided that the work supporting arm can
forwardly and backwardly be dislocated in the axial direction, each
work can be dislocated to assume a low position when it is attached
to the work supporting shaft and detached from the same. Thus, the
work can more easily be attached to the work supporting shaft and
detached from the same.
[0075] Additionally, provided that the tortuous angle of the work
supporting arm relative to the rotational shaft can be adjusted,
the buffing efficiency can be adjusted corresponding to the work,
and moreover, the height assumed by the work supporting arm for
allowing the work to be attached to the work supporting arm and
detached from the same can be adjusted corresponding to an
operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0076] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a series of steps for
practicing a wet type buffing method in accordance with a first
invention of the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wet type buffing
apparatus in accordance with the first invention of the present
invention.
[0078] FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a buffing apparatus
operable in accordance with a fifth conventional technique.
[0079] FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing a buffing apparatus
operable in accordance with a fifth invention of the present
invention.
[0080] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the buffing
apparatus operable in accordance with the fifth invention of the
present invention.
[0081] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a buffing apparatus
operable in accordance with a sixth invention of the present
invention.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a barrel buffing
apparatus operable in accordance with a first embodiment of a
seventh invention of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a barrel buffing
apparatus operable in accordance with a second embodiment of the
seventh invention of the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a work supporting unit
for a barrel buffing apparatus operable in accordance with an
eighth invention of the present invention.
[0085] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a work supporting unit
employable for a barrel buffing apparatus operable in accordance
with an embodiment of a ninth invention of the present
invention.
[0086] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an attached/detached
state assumed by the barrel buffing apparatus shown in FIG. 10.
[0087] FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing a forward/rearward
displacing mechanism employable for a work supporting arm arranged
on the work supporting unit shown in FIG. 10.
[0088] FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing a rotating mechanism
employable for a reversing plate arranged on the work supporting
unit shown in FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0089] Now, the present invention will be described in detail
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate preferred embodiments thereof.
Embodiment of First Invention
[0090] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a wet type buffing method to
be practiced according to the present invention, and this buffing
method is practiced by way of a series of wet type buffing
steps.
[0091] A step A represents a rough buffing step, a step B
represents a finish buffing step, and a step C represents a final
finish buffing step.
[0092] These steps A, B and C will be described below with
reference to FIG. 2. In the drawing, reference numeral 101
designates a supporting board, and reference numeral 111 designates
a supporting shaft arranged along the axis line of the supporting
board. The supporting board 101 is rotated about the supporting
shaft 111 with the use of suitable means (not shown) in the
direction identified by an arrow mark. Reference character W
designates a plate-like work, and this plate-like work is placed on
the upper surface of the supporting board 101. In the shown case,
the work W serves as a surface to be buffed (hereinafter referred
to as a buffing surface).
[0093] Next, reference numeral 102 designates a first rotational
driving unit, and this first rotational driving unit 102 includes a
driving power source such as a motor or the like. Reference numeral
121 designates a rotational shaft, and this rotational shaft 121 is
arranged in the rotational driving unit 102 while extending
therefrom The rotational shaft 121 is rotated about the axis line
by the motor or the like as mentioned above. Reference numeral 122
designates a first buffing wheel, and this first buffing wheel 122
is immovably attached to the foremost end of the rotational shaft
121. The first buffing wheel 122 serves to buff the work W with a
buffing surface 1221 coincident with the bottom surface thereof
while it is rotated. At this time, buffing liquid is fed between
the buffing surface of the rotating buffing wheel 122 and the
buffing surface of the work W. In the case that the final finish
buffing step C is practiced, the buffing liquid to be used therefor
is alkaline. On the contrary, in the case that steps other than the
step C, i.e., the rough buffing step A and the finish buffing step
B are practiced, the buffing liquid is acid.
[0094] In addition, reference numeral 103 designates a second
rotational driving unit, and this second rotational driving unit
103 includes a driving power source such as a motor or the like in
the same manner as the first rotational driving unit 102. Reference
numeral 131 designates a rotational shaft, and this rotational
shaft 131 is rotated about the axis line by the power given by the
motor or the like. Reference numeral 132 designates a second
buffing wheel, and this second buffing wheel 132 is immovably
attached to the foremost end of the rotational shaft 131. The
second buffing wheel 132 serves to buff the work W with a buffing
surface 1321 coincident with the bottom surface thereof. At this
time, buffing liquid is fed between the buffing surface of the
rotating second buffing wheel 122 and the buffing surface of the
work W. Since properties of the buffing liquid employable for the
second buffing wheel 122 are same to those of the first buffing
wheel 122, repeated description is herein omitted for the purpose
of simplification.
[0095] Incidentally, since the first buffing wheel 122 and the
second buffing wheel 132 are rotated in the opposite direction
relative to each other, the buffing surface of the work W is
subjected to buffing in the reciprocal direction.
Embodiment of Second Invention
[0096] This second invention will be described below with respect
to an embodiment thereof on the assumption that an aluminum wheel
is employed as a work.
[0097] Firstly, the aluminum wheel is heated in hot water at a
temperature of about 80.degree. C., and then, it is subjected to
dry buffing by employing the ordinary method. Thereafter, the
aluminum wheel is subjected to wet buffing while maintaining the
working state represented by a temperature of about 30.degree.
C.
[0098] After the buffing operation is completed, the aluminum wheel
is subjected to deposition plating by employing the ordinal
deposition plating method. Any type of deposition plating such as
chromium deposition plating, titanium deposition plating or the
like may be employed for the aluminum wheel It should be noted that
the thickness of a film formed by the deposition plating generally
remains within the range from about 0.1 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m. When
the deposition plating is used in place of the conventional
chromium plating, there does not arise a necessity for carrying out
the waste liquid treatment which is unavoidably required when the
conventional plating method is used. As a result, an efficiency of
the plating operation can be improved.
Embodiment of Third Invention
[0099] For example, an aluminum wheel usable for a vehicle or the
like can be noted as a work employable for carrying out this third
invention. However, the third invention should not be limited only
to the aluminum wheel as a work but all products each usable as a
work are involved in the concept of the work in the third
invention.
[0100] Usually, a wet type buffing method or a dry type buffing
method for buffing the buffing surface of a work in the presence of
a buffing agent is employed as a buffing method in the third
invention. In this case, the number of buffs usable for carrying
out the third invention may be limited only to one. Alternatively,
a plurality of buffs may be used for carrying out the third
invention. Incidentally, a buff wheel can be noted as one example
which represents the buff.
[0101] To carry out the third embodiment, an ordinary wet type
buffing method and an ordinary dry type buffing method can be
employed for practicing the wet type buffing method and the dry
type buffing method wherein the surface of a work is subjected to
buffing in the presence of a buffing agent fed between the buffing
surface of the work and the working surface of the buff wheel.
[0102] In addition, to carry out the third invention, any type of
barrel buffing method such as a fluid barrel buffing method, a
vibration barrel buffing method or the like can be used as a barrel
buffing method. Additionally, any type of usually used buffing
agent such as ceramic grain or the like can be employed as a
buffing agent.
[0103] Further, the barrel buffing operation performed as a
preliminary step for the dry type buffing step can be used as a
so-called rough buffing operation.
[0104] Furthermore, the barrel buffing operation performed as a
preliminary step for the wet type buffing operation exhibits the
same operational effect as that of the dry type buffing operation,
and therefore, it can be used as a so-called intermediate buffing
step.
[0105] Moreover, the barrel buffing operation performed as a
post-step for the wet type buffing operation exhibits the same
operational effect as that of the wet type buffing operation, and
therefore, it can be used as a so-called finish buffing step.
Embodiment of Fourth Invention
[0106] For example, an aluminum wheel for a vehicle or the like can
be noted as a work employable for carrying out a fourth invention.
However, the fourth invention should not be limited only to the
aluminum wheel but all types of products are involved in the
concept of a work.
[0107] To carry out the fourth invention, an ordinary wet type
buffing method can be used as a wet type buffing method wherein the
buffing surface of a work is subjected to buffing in the presence
of a buffing agent fed between the buffing surface of the work and
the working surface of a buff. In this case, the number of buffs
may be limited to one but a plurality of buffs may be used for
carrying out the fourth invention. In addition, a usually used
buffing liquid can be employed as a buffing liquid.
[0108] To assure that the buffing surface of a work is held in the
vacuum atmosphere, it is recommendable that, for example, the whole
buffing apparatus is covered with a casing or the like, and
thereafter, the interior of the casing is evacuated by driving a
vacuum pump so as to assume the desired vacuum state.
Alternatively, only the buffing surface of a work may be covered
with a casing of the type as mentioned above.
[0109] In addition, to assure that the buffing surface of a work is
held in the nitrogen gas atmosphere, it is sufficient that the
interior of the casing is filled with nitrogen gas.
[0110] Incidentally, nitrogen gas may be fed to the buffing surface
of a work by ejection instead of the concept that the buffing
surface of the work is covered with a casing of the aforementioned
type of which interior is filled with nitrogen gas.
Embodiment of Fifth Invention
[0111] FIG. 4 shows a buffing apparatus constructed in accordance
with an embodiment of a fifth invention. In the drawing, reference
character W designates a wheel usable for a vehicle or the like,
and this wheel W corresponds to a work in the fifth invention. The
wheel W usable for a vehicle or the like can be rotated about an
axis line O by driving suitable means (not shown).
[0112] Reference numeral 510 designates a pair of shafts, and these
shafts 510 are arranged above the wheel W usable for a vehicle or
the like. The shafts 510 are rotated about an axis line by driving
suitable driving means (not shown). In addition, the shafts 510 can
forwardly or backwardly be displaced in the axial direction or in
the direction of width as seen in the drawing, and additionally,
they can vibratively be displaced within the short range. Further,
the shafts 510 can turnably be displaced in the horizontal
direction or in the vertical direction with their bottom part used
as a fulcrum.
[0113] In the drawing, reference numeral 511 designates a pair of
small diameter portions, and these small diameter portions 511 are
formed at the fore end parts of the shafts 510. In addition,
reference numeral 512 designates a pair of bolt portions.
Tightening nuts 540 are threadably fitted to the bolt portions 512.
A function exhibited by the tightening nuts 540 will be described
later. Reference numeral 520 designates a pair of buffing wheels,
and these buffing wheels 520 are inserted through the small
diameter portions 511. The buffing wheels 520 are used as ordinary
buffing wheels, and flange portions 522 and 523 are integrally
formed at the opposite ends of boss portions 522 so that circular
disc-like buffing wheels 524 are clamped between the flange
portions 522 and the flange portions 523.
[0114] Reference numeral 550 designates a pair of disconnection
preventive pins (corresponding to "disconnection preventive members
in the fifth invention), and these disconnection preventive pins
550 are fitted through the foremost ends of the small diameter
portions 511 formed on the shafts 510. The disconnection preventive
pins 550 are used for the purpose of preventing the buffing wheels
520 from being disconnected from the small diameter portions 511 of
the shafts 510.
[0115] As the tightening nuts 540 are threadably displaced in the
direction oriented toward the buffing wheels 520, these buffing
wheels 520 are firmly tightened, and moreover, immovably fixed with
the aid of the disconnection preventive pins 550.
[0116] When the central part of the flange portion 523 is formed in
the recessed contour as shown in FIG. 5, the disconnection
preventive pin 550 can be received in a recessed part 5231
(corresponding to a "diameter enlarged part" in the fifth
invention), whereby the fore end surface (outside surface) of the
buffing wheel 520 is caused to coincide with the fore end of the
shaft 510. As a result, each buffing operation can more easily be
achieved, and moreover, the position assumed by the buffing wheel
520 relative to the wheel W usable for a vehicle can more easily be
determined.
[0117] Incidentally, the shafts 510 can intermittently be rotated
(relative to the rotation of the wheel 520 usable for a vehicle
about the axis line O) in the normal direction as well as in the
reverse direction.
Embodiment of Sixth Invention
[0118] In FIG. 6, reference numeral 610 designates a buffing medium
receiving container for a barrel buffing apparatus 64. A buffing
medium (aggregate) 620 is received in the buffing medium receiving
container 610. Incidentally, any kind of usually used buffing
medium such as ceramic grain or the like can be employed for the
buffing medium 620.
[0119] Reference numeral 611 designates an upper end opening which
is formed at the upper end of the buffing medium receiving
container 610, and the interior of the buffing medium receiving
container 610 is communicated with the atmosphere via the upper end
opening 610.
[0120] Reference numeral 612 designates a buffing medium feeding
port which is formed at the bottom part of the buffing medium
receiving container 610. The buffing medium 620 received in the
buffing medium receiving container 610 is caused to naturally fall
down via the buffing medium feeding port 612. An intensity of
pressure generated by the falling buffing medium 620 at this time
is gradually reduced as the buffing medium 620 is increasingly
removed from the buffing medium receiving container 610.
[0121] Reference numeral 630 designates a guide sleeve, and the
guide sleeve 630 is fitted to the bottom of the buffing medium
receiving container 610 from the outside in such a manner as to
enable it to be rotated. In addition, reference numeral 631
designates a trumpet-like sleeve, and this trumpet-like sleeve 631
is arranged at the lower end of the guide sleeve 630 so as to
constitute a part of the guide sleeve 630. A function of the guide
sleeve 630 will be described later.
[0122] Reference character W designates a wheel usable for a
vehicle or the like (corresponding to a "work" in the sixth
invention), and the wheel W is received in the inside of the
trumpet-like sleeve 631 without any substantial gap remaining
therebetween. Incidentally, the guide sleeve 630 inclusive of the
trumpet-like sleeve 631 is integrally rotated and vibrated when the
wheel W usable for a vehicle or the like is rotated.
[0123] When the buffing medium 620 is caused to naturally fall down
from the grinding medium receiving container 610 while the wheel W
usable for a vehicle or the like is vibratively rotated, the
buffing medium 620 continuously reaches the surface of the wheel W
via the guide sleeve 30 without any substantial gap remaining
therebetween. Thereafter, the buffing medium 620 is discharged in
the downward direction via a plurality of holes 651 and 652 while
the surface of the wheel W is subjected to buffing.
[0124] As mentioned above, as the buffing medium 620 is
increasingly removed from the buffing medium receiving container
610, the intensity of feeding pressure acting on the wheel W usable
for a vehicle or the like is gradually reduced. Thus, the surface
of the wheel W can be buffed during the initial time when a high
intensity of feeding pressure acts on the surface of the wheel W
regardless of a single kind of buffing medium used for each buffing
operation. In addition, an intermediate buffing step and a finish
buffing step can continuously be practiced for the surface of the
wheel W usable for a vehicle or the like, as the intensity of
feeding pressure generated by the buffing medium 620 is gradually
reduced.
[0125] After the buffing medium 620 is completely discharged in the
zone located below the wheel W usable for a vehicle or the like,
i.e., after the interior of the buffing medium receiving container
610 becomes empty, the buffing medium 610 is removed again in the
buffing medium receiving container 610. Then, the buffing medium
610 can repeatedly be used for continuously practicing a rough
buffing step, an intermediate buffing step and a finish buffing
step.
Embodiment of Seventh Invention
[0126] FIG. 7 shows a barrel buffing apparatus constructed in
accordance with a first embodiment of a seventh invention.
[0127] In FIG. 7, reference numeral 710 designates a buffing medium
receiving container for a barrel buffing apparatus 74. A buffing
medium (aggregate) 720 is received in the buffing medium receiving
container 710. Incidentally, any kind of usually used buffing
medium such as ceramic grain or the like can be employed for the
buffing medium 720.
[0128] Reference numeral 711 designates an upper end opening formed
at the upper end of the buffing medium receiving container 710, and
the interior of the buffing medium receiving container 710 is
communicated with the atmosphere via the upper end opening 711.
[0129] Reference numeral 712 designates a buffing medium feeding
port, and this buffing medium feeding port 712 is formed at the
bottom part of the buffing medium receiving container 710. A
buffing medium 72 contained in the buffing medium receiving
container 710 is caused to naturally fall down via the buffing
medium feeding port 712. The intensity of pressure generated by the
falling-down of the buffing medium 720 is gradually reduced as the
buffing medium 720 is increasingly removed from the buffing medium
receiving container 710.
[0130] Reference numeral 730 designates a guide sleeve, and this
guide sleeve 730 is fitted to the bottom part of the buffing medium
receiving container 710 in such a manner as to enable the guide
sleeve 730 to be rotated. In addition, reference numeral 731
designates a trumpet-like sleeve, and this trumpet-like sleeve
constitutes a part of the guide sleeve 730 arranged at the lower
part of the guide sleeve 730. A function of the guide sleeve 730
will be described later.
[0131] Reference character W designates an aluminum wheel usable
for a vehicle or the like (corresponding to a "work" in the seventh
invention). This wheel W can be rotated around an axis line O while
it is vibrated. Incidentally, when the wheel W is rotated, the
guide sleeve 730 inclusive of the trumpet-like sleeve 731 is
vibratively rotated.
[0132] When the buffing medium 72 is caused to naturally fall down
from the buffing medium receiving container 710 toward the surface
of the wheel W while this wheel W is vibratively rotated, the
buffing medium 720 continuously reaches the surface of the wheel W
via the guide sleeve 730 with any substantial gap between the
buffing medium receiving container 710 and the guide sleeve 730.
The buffing medium 720 is discharged in the downward direction via
a plurality of holes 751 and 752.
[0133] Incidentally, as mentioned above, the intensity of feeding
pressure generated by the buffing medium 720 to be fed to the wheel
W is reduced as the buffing medium 710 is increasingly removed from
the buffing medium receiving container 710. Thus, even though a
single kind of buffing medium 720 is employed, the surface of the
wheel W can be subjected to rough buffing, and moreover, the
surface of the wheel W can continuously be subjected to
intermediate buffing and finish buffing.
[0134] After the discharged buffing medium 720 is completely
discharged below the zone located below the wheel W, i.e., after
the interior of the buffing medium receiving container 710 become
empty, the buffing medium 720 is returned again to the buffing
medium receiving container 710 by using suitable means (not shown).
Thereafter, the wheel W is continuously subjected again to rough
buffing, intermediate buffing and finish buffing. A practical
extent attained by each buffing operation can be changed by adding
pressurized air or water so as to allow the buffing medium 720 to
be compressed by the pressurized air or water.
[0135] After the barrel buffing operation is completed, surface
treatment such as coating, plating, alumite treatment or the like
is conducted for the wheel W. All kind of usually available surface
treatment process is employable for carrying out the foregoing
surface treatment.
[0136] According to the first embodiment of the seventh invention,
since the feeding of the buffing medium to the surface of the work
is achieved attributable to the natural falling-down of the buffing
medium, few noisy sound is generated, and moreover, a quantity of
consumption of energy can be minimized.
[0137] In addition, according to the first embodiment of the
seventh invention, since the guide sleeve is arranged between the
feeding port of the buffing medium receiving container and the
surface of the work, the feeding of the buffing medium to the work
can be achieved without any loss.
[0138] Additionally, when the buffing medium received in the
buffing medium receiving container can be compressed by using
suitable means (not shown), a practical extent attained by each
buffing operation performed for the work can be changed.
[0139] FIG. 8 shows a barrel buffing apparatus constructed in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0140] In FIG. 8, reference numeral 78 designates a barrel buffing
apparatus, and reference numeral 760 designates a driving section
for driving the barrel buffing apparatus 78. Reference numeral 761
designates a cylindrical buffing medium receiving container, and
this buffing medium receiving container 761 is mounted on the
driving section 760. The buffing medium receiving container 761 can
be rotated about an axis line of the driving section 760 in the
circumferential direction by actuating the driving section 760.
Reference numeral 762 designates a buffing medium, and this buffing
medium is received in the buffing medium receiving container 761.
All kind of usually usable buffing medium such as ceramic grain or
the like can be employed for the buffing medium 762. Incidentally,
the buffing method can be practiced in accordance with a wet type
buffing process or a dry type buffing process.
[0141] Reference numeral 763 designates an upper end opening which
is formed at the upper end of the buffing medium receiving
container, and the work W is dipped in the buffing medium 762 via
the upper end opening 763.
[0142] Next, reference numeral 770 designates a base board which is
integrated with the driving section 760, and reference numeral 771
designates a supporting column which upright stands on the base
board 770. The supporting column 771 extends in the upward
direction to reach the substantially upper end of the buffing
medium receiving container 761.
[0143] Reference numeral 780 designates an attaching bracket, and
this attaching bracket 780 is arranged in such a manner as to swing
on the supporting column 771. Specifically, the attaching bracket
780 can swing about a point O along the vertical surface. Reference
numeral 790 designates a supporting bed, and this supporting bed
790 is mounted on the attaching bracket 780 via rotating means 781.
Thus, the supporting bed 790 can swing along the vertical surface
together with the attaching bracket 780, and moreover, the
supporting bed 790 can turn or swing about an axis line P by
driving the rotating means 781.
[0144] Reference numeral 791 designates a supporting member, and
this supporting member 791 is arranged on the supporting bed 790 so
as to move in the forward/backward direction. In addition,
reference numeral 792 designates a supporting arm, and this
supporting arm 792 is fitted to the supporting member 791 so as to
move in the forward/backward direction relative to the supporting
member 791. It should be noted that the forward/backward direction
of the supporting arm 792 is coincident with the forward/backward
direction of the supporting member 791. Reference character W
designates a work (aluminum wheel usable for vehicle), and this
work W is mounted on the foremost end of the supporting ram 792 via
an air chuck 793, whereby the work W is dipped in the buffing
medium 762 received in the buffing medium receiving container
761.
[0145] Next, an operation of the buffing apparatus constructed in
the above-described manner will be described below.
[0146] Firstly, as shown by phantom lines (one-dot chain lines),
the supporting arm 792 is mounted such that the foremost end of the
supporting arm 792 is located directly above the supporting arm
792, and thereafter, this supporting arm 792 is retracted in the
downward direction. While the foregoing state is maintained, the
work W usable for a vehicle or the like is mounted on the foremost
end of the supporting arm 792 by actuating the air chuck 793 so
that the work W is fixedly mounted on the supporting arm 792 with
the aid of the air chuck 793. Thereafter, as shown by phantom lines
(two-dot chain lines), the supporting arm 792 is caused to extend
in the upward direction. Subsequently, as shown by solid lines, the
supporting arm 792 is caused to swing about the point O together
with the supporting bed 790 along the vertical surface so that the
wheel W is dipped in the buffing medium 762 which is held in the
flowing state. Incidentally, while the work W is dipped in the
buffing medium 762, the supporting arm 792 can fragmentarily be
displaced with the swinging state maintained. After completion of
the buffing operation, the supporting arm 792 is caused to swing
about the point O in the opposite direction together with the
supporting member 791 and the supporting bed 790 along the vertical
surface, the supporting arm 792 is held to assume the upright state
with the foremost end thereof located directly above the supporting
member 791 as shown by phantom lines (two-dot chain lines), and
thereafter, the supporting arm 792 is displaced in the downward
direction to assume the state as shown by phantom lines (one-dot
chain lines). While the foregoing state is maintained, the wheel W
is disconnected from the foremost end of the supporting arm 792.
Subsequently, the aforementioned operational steps are
repeated.
[0147] Incidentally, when soft material such as sponge, rubber,
soft plastic or the like is used in the form of grain or small
block as a buffing material usable for the buffing apparatus 78,
each finish buffing operation can be performed at a high
efficiency. Incidentally, soft material may be coated on the
surface of each hard grain or hard small block so as to allow it to
be used as this kind of buffing medium.
[0148] After completion of the barrel buffing operation, surface
treatment such as coating, plating, alumite treatment is carried
out for the work W. All kind of normally employable surface
treatment is involved in the concept of surface treatment as
mentioned above.
[0149] The work W usable for practicing the first embodiment and
the second embodiment of the seventh invention may be a work which
is preliminarily subjected to surface treatment, and alternatively,
it may be a work which is not subjected to any kind of surface
treatment.
Embodiment of Eighth Invention
[0150] FIG. 9 shows a work supporting unit employable for a barrel
buffing apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of
an eighth invention.
[0151] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 8B designates a barrel buffing
apparatus, and reference numeral 860 designates a driving section
for driving the barrel buffing apparatus 8B. Reference numeral 861
designates a cylindrical buffing medium receiving container, and
this buffing medium receiving container 861 is mounted on the
driving section 860. The buffing medium receiving container 861 can
be rotated about an axis line of the driving section 860 in the
circumferential direction by actuating the driving section 860.
Reference numeral 862 designates a buffing medium, and this buffing
medium 862 is received in the buffing medium receiving container
861. All kind of usually available buffing medium such as ceramic
grain or the like can be employed for the buffing medium 862. In
addition, a wet type buffing process may be employed for the
buffing method, and alternatively, a dry type buffing process may
be employed for the buffing method.
[0152] Reference numeral 863 designates an upper end opening which
is formed at the upper end of the buffing medium receiving
container, and a work (aluminum wheel usable for vehicle or the
like) W to be described later is dipped in the buffing medium 862
via the upper end opening 811.
[0153] Next, reference numeral 870 designates a base board which is
integrated with the driving section 860, and reference numeral 871
designates a supporting column which upright stands on the base
board 870. The supporting column 870 is caused to extend in the
upward direction to reach the substantially upper end of the
buffing medium receiving container 861.
[0154] Reference numeral 880 designates an attaching bracket, and
this attaching bracket 880 is arranged so as to swing on the
supporting column 871. Specifically, the attaching bracket 880 can
swing about a point O along the vertical surface. Reference numeral
890 designates a supporting bed, and this supporting bed 890 is
mounted on the attaching bracket 880 via rotating means 881. With
this construction, the supporting bed 890 can swing along the
vertical surface together with the attaching bracket 880, and
moreover, it can turn or swing about an axis line P by driving the
rotating means 881.
[0155] Reference numeral 891 designates a supporting member, and
this supporting member 891 is arranged on the supporting bed 890 in
such a manner as to enable it to move in the forward/backward
direction. In addition, reference numeral 892 designates a
supporting arm, and this supporting arm 892 is fitted into the
supporting member 891 in such a manner as to enable it to move in
the forward/backward direction. Reference character W designates a
work (aluminum wheel usable for vehicle or the like), and this work
W is attached to the foremost end of the supporting arm 892 via an
air chuck 893 so as to allow it to be dipped in the buffing medium
862 received in the buffing medium receiving container 861.
[0156] An operation of the buffing apparatus constructed in the
aforementioned manner will be described below.
[0157] Firstly, as shown by phantom lines (one-dot chain lines),
the supporting arm 892 is mounted to assume the position where its
upper end is located directly above the supporting member 891, and
thereafter, it is retracted in the downward direction. While the
foregoing state is maintained, the wheel W is fixedly mounted on
the upper end of the supporting arm 892 with the aid of the air
chuck 893. Thereafter, as shown by phantom lines (two-dot chain
lines), the supporting arm 892 is caused to extend in the upward
direction. Then, as shown by solid lines, the supporting arm 892 is
caused to swing about a point O together with the supporting member
892 and the supporting bed 890 along the vertical surface, whereby
the wheel W is dipped in the buffing medium 852 which is held in
the flowing state in the buffing medium receiving container 861.
Incidentally, while the wheel W is dipped in the buffing medium
862, the supporting arm 892 can fragmentally be displaced in the
vibrative state. After completion of the buffing operation, the
supporting arm 892 is caused to swing about the point O in the
opposite direction together with the supporting bed 890 along the
vertical surface, and then, as shown by phantom lines (two-dot
chain lines), the supporting arm 892 is held so as to assume the
position where the foremost end of the supporting arm 892 is
located directly above the supporting member 891. Thereafter, the
supporting arm 892 is retracted in the downward direction to assume
the state as represented by phantom lines (one-dot chain lines).
While the foregoing state is maintained, the wheel W is
disconnected from the foremost end of the supporting arm 892.
Subsequently, the aforementioned operational steps are
repeated.
[0158] Incidentally, when soft material such as sponge, rubber,
soft plastic or the like is used as a buffing medium employable for
the buffing apparatus 8B, each finish buffing operation can be
achieved at a high efficiency. Incidentally, soft material may be
coated on the surface of each hard grain or hard small block so as
to allow the coated hard grain or the coated hard small block to be
used as a buffing medium of the aforementioned type.
[0159] After completion of the barrel buffing operation, surface
treatment such as coating, plating, alumite treatment or the like
is conducted. All kind of normally available material is employable
for achieving the surface treatment.
Embodiment of Ninth Invention
[0160] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a work supporting unit
employable for a barrel buffing apparatus constructed in accordance
with an embodiment of a ninth invention wherein a work is held in
the buffing state, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the
attached/detached state of the work in the barrel buffing
apparatus, FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing a
forward/backward displacing mechanism for a work supporting arm in
the work supporting unit, and FIG. 13 is an illustrative view
showing a rotating mechanism for a reversing plate in the work
supporting unit.
[0161] In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, reference numeral 9B designates a
barrel buffing apparatus, and reference numeral 910 designates a
base board for the barrel buffing apparatus 9B. Reference numeral
920 designates a buffing medium receiving container, and this
buffing medium receiving container 920 is mounted on the base board
910. The buffing medium receiving container 920 is designed to
exhibit a cylindrical configuration so that it can be rotated about
an axis line thereof in the circumferential direction by actuating
suitable driving means (not shown). Reference numeral 921
designates a buffing medium, and this buffing medium 921 is
received in the buffing medium receiving container 920. All kind of
normally available material such as ceramic grain or the like can
be used. Incidentally, a wet type buffing process may be used for
practicing a buffing method, and alternatively, a dry buffing
process may be used for practicing the buffing method.
[0162] Reference numeral 922 designates an upper end opening which
is formed at the upper end of the buffing medium receiving
container 920, and a work (aluminum wheel usable for vehicle or the
like) W to be described later is dipped in the buffing medium 921
via the upper end opening 922.
[0163] Next, reference numeral 911 designates a supporting frame,
and this supporting frame 911 upright stands on the base board 910.
The supporting frame 911 is caused to extend in the upward
direction to reach the substantially upper end of the buffing
medium receiving container 920.
[0164] Reference numeral 930 designates a reversing plate, and this
reversing plate 930 is turnably mounted on the supporting frame 911
via a rotational shaft 931. This reversing plate 930 can be turned
within the range of about 180.degree. on the basis of rotation of
the rotational shaft 931 (i.e. within the range defined by the
state shown in FIG. 10 and the state shown in FIG. 11). In
addition, as shown in FIG. 13, a first driving motor 932 is mounted
on the supporting frame 911. While the rotational force of the
motor 932 is reduced in the decelerated state, the foregoing
rotational force is transmitted from a pulley 933 of the first
driving motor 932 to a pulley 935 of the rotational shaft 931 via a
V belt 934, whereby the reversing plate 930 can reciprocably be
turned within the range of about 180.degree..
[0165] Reference numeral 940 designates a supporting bed, and this
supporting bed 940 is fixed to the reversing plate 930 via a pair
of brackets 941. This supporting plate 940 is mounted on the
supporting frame 911 in the forwardly inclined state (it is assumed
that the fore end side of a work supporting arm 960 to be described
later is represented as a forward direction). It should be noted
that the inclination angle of the supporting bed 940 can be
adjusted. of the supporting bed 940 so as to move in the
forward/backward direction along the inclined surface of the
supporting plate 940. This slide plate 950 can be displaced
relative to the supporting bed 940 in the forward/backward
direction by actuating a bolt/nut mechanism 95. Incidentally,
reference numeral 9511 designates a bolt portion in the bolt/nut
mechanism 95 arranged on the rear surface of the supporting bed
940, and reference numeral 9512 designates a pair of nut portions
arranged on the slide plate 950. When a second driving motor 952 is
driven, causing the bolt portion 9511 to be rotated, the nut
portions 9511, i.e., the slide plate 950 are displaced in the
forward/backward direction by way of threadable engagement of the
bolt portion 9511 with the nut portions 9512.
[0166] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 again, reference numeral 96
designates a work supporting arm, and as shown in FIG. 12, this
work supporting arm 960 is caused to project from the slide plate
950. A work (aluminum wheel usable for vehicle or the like) W is
detachably attached to the foremost end of the work supporting arm
960 with the aid of an air chuck (not shown) so that the work W is
dipped in the buffing medium 821 received in the buffing medium
receiving container 920. In addition, a third driving motor 961 is
mounted on the slide plate 950. The work supporting arm 960 can be
rotated about an axis line thereof by transmitting the rotational
force of the third driving motor 961 to the work supporting arm 960
in the decelerated state. Incidentally, the work supporting arm 960
can intermittently be rotated in the normal direction as well as in
the reverse direction.
[0167] An operation of the buffing apparatus will be described
below.
[0168] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 11, the reversing plate 930 is
arranged outside of the buffing medium receiving container 920 by
driving the first driving motor 932, causing the rotational shaft
931 to be rotated (refer to the state as represented by phantom
lines in FIG. 13). At this time, the fore end part of the work
supporting arm 960 assumes an upwardly inclined state. While this
state is maintained, an operator places the work W on the foremost
end of the supporting arm 960 so as to allow it to be fixed to the
supporting arm 960.
[0169] Thereafter, the reversing plate 30 is located inside of the
buffing medium receiving container 920 by driving the first driving
motor 932, causing the rotational shaft 931 to be rotated, whereby
the wheel W is dipped in the buffing medium 921 held in the buffing
medium receiving container 920 in the flowing state. Incidentally,
while the wheel W is held in the buffing medium 921 in the dipped
state, the work supporting arm 960 can fragmentarily be displaced
in the vibrative state. After completion of the buffing operation,
the reversing plate 930 is located outside of the buffing medium
receiving container 920 by driving the first driving motor 932,
causing the rotational shaft 931 to be rotated. At this time, the
fore end part of the work supporting arm 960 assumes an upwardly
inclined state. While this state is maintained, the operator
disconnects the wheel W from the work supporting arm 960, and
thereafter, he places a next work on the work supporting shaft 960
so as to allow the next work to be fixed to the work supporting arm
960.
[0170] Incidentally, when soft material such as sponge, rubber,
soft plastic or the like is used in the buffing apparatus 9B as a
buffing medium, each finish buffing operation can be achieved at a
high efficiency. Further, soft material may be coated on the
surface of each hard grain or each hard small block. The coated
hard grain or the coated hard small block can be used as a buffing
medium of the aforementioned type.
[0171] After the barrel buffing operation is completed, surface
treatment such as coating, plating, alumite treatment or the like
is carried out for the work, All kind of usually available surface
treatment is involved in the concept of surface treatment.
[0172] While the present invention has been described above with
respect to preferred embodiments of first invention to eighth
invention thereof, it should be noted that the present invention
should not be limited only to these preferred embodiments but
various change or modification may be made without departure from
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *