Method and apparatus for polishing an aluminum vehicle wheel

Abstract

A system ( 10 ) for polishing a wheel (W) includes a spindle ( 29 ) to carry the wheel (W). A motor ( 31 ) rotates the spindle ( 29 ) to rotate the wheel (W). A cut/buff polishing wheel ( 42 ) receives an abrasive compound on its periphery from a spray gun ( 44 ) and is positioned so as to sequentially operate upon various portions of the wheel (W). A color/buff polishing wheel ( 43 ) receives a polishing compound from a dispenser ( 46 ) and applies it to the wheel (W) upon sequentially operating on various portions of the wheel (W). A plurality of systems ( 10 ) may be provided in a chamber ( 11 ) which has an evacuation housing ( 21 ) positioned adjacent thereto to evacuate debris resulting from the polishing of the wheels (W).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of polishing a wheel comprising the steps of positioning the wheel at a polishing station, rotating the wheel, supplying an abrasive compound to a first rotating polishing wheel, contacting the wheel with the first rotating polishing wheel at a series of locations on the wheel, supplying a polishing compound to a second rotating polishing wheel, contacting the wheel with the second rotating polishing wheel at at least one location on the wheel, and removing the wheel from the polishing station.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the direction of rotation of the first polishing wheel is opposed to the direction of rotation of the wheel when the first polishing wheel is contacting the wheel.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of reversing the direction of the rotation of the wheel and the first polishing wheel after completion of the step of contacting the wheel with the first rotating polishing wheel.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  further comprising the step of again contacting the wheel with the first polishing wheel at a series of locations on the wheel after reversing the direction of rotation of the wheel and the first polishing wheel.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of reversing the direction of the rotation of the wheel and the second polishing wheel after completion of the step of contacting the wheel with the second rotating polishing wheel.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  further comprising the step of again contacting the wheel with the second polishing wheel at at least one location on the wheel after reversing the direction of rotation of the wheel and the second polishing wheel.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning includes placing the wheel in a chamber.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  further comprising the step of evacuating debris-laden air from the chamber.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning includes the step of locating the wheel on a spindle.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the step of rotating the wheel is accomplished by rotating the spindle.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of contacting the wheel with the first rotating polishing wheel includes the step of sequentially orienting the first polishing wheel at the locations on the wheel.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the step of contacting the wheel with the first rotating polishing wheel includes the step of radially sweeping the surface of the wheel.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of contacting the wheel with the second rotating polishing wheel includes the step of radially sweeping the surface of the wheel.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for polishing a wheel comprising a spindle to carry a wheel, a first motor to rotate said spindle, a first polishing wheel, a second polishing wheel, a second motor to rotate said polishing wheels, means to supply an abrasive compound to the periphery of said first polishing wheel, and means to supply a polishing compound to the periphery of said second polishing wheel.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said means to supply an abrasive compound includes a spray gun positioned adjacent to the periphery of said first polishing wheel.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said means to supply a polishing compound includes a dispenser positioned adjacent to the periphery of said second polishing wheel.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein said spindle carries a fixture having fingers to engage the wheel.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising a robotic arm to position the wheel on said spindle.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising a plate carrying said motors and said wheels, said plate being carried by a robotic arm.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19  further comprising an axle carrying said wheels, said second motor rotating said axle.  
     
     
         21 . A system for polishing a plurality of wheels comprising a chamber, a plurality of polishing stations in said chamber each adapted to receive and polish a wheel, a door in said chamber to gain access to each said polishing station, and an evacuation system adjacent to said chamber to remove debris-laden air from said chamber.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein said evacuation system includes a housing positioned adjacent to and in communication with said chamber.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 22  further comprising an evacuation passageway in said housing.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one window in said chamber so that said polishing stations may be observed.  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein each said polishing station includes a spindle for carrying a wheel to be polished and a motor to rotate said spindle.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein each said polishing station includes a first polishing wheel, a second polishing wheel, and a motor to rotate said polishing wheels.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein each said polishing station includes a spray gun positioned adjacent to said first polishing wheel to supply an abrasive compound to the periphery of said polishing wheel.  
     
     
         28 . Apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein each said polishing station includes a dispenser positioned adjacent to said second polishing wheel to supply a polishing compound to the periphery of said second polishing wheel.