Polishing apparatus

Abstract

A polishing apparatus includes a polishing device for polishing a baseboard, a feeding device for transporting it to the polishing device and a discharging device for discharging the polished baseboard from the polishing device. The baseboard is clamped in one direction between rollers of the feeding device and is transported upwards while polishing tapes are run and backup members for pressing the polishing tapes to the baseboard undergo reciprocating motions in a perpendicular direction to polish both surfaces of the baseboard. The polished baseboard is transported further upwards, being clamped between rollers of the discharging device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A polishing apparatus comprising a polishing device for polishing a baseboard, a feeding device for feeding the baseboard to said polishing device and a discharge device for discharging the baseboard from said polishing device; 
 wherein said polishing device comprises a first polishing head and a second polishing head which are structured symmetrically in a right-left direction and disposed opposite each other and each comprise: 
 a tape feeding means for feeding a polishing tape;  
 a winding means for winding up said polishing tape;  
 a backup member for pushing the polishing tape fed from said tape feeding means to the baseboard; and  
 a reciprocating means for causing said backup member to undergo a reciprocating motion in a forward-backward direction which is perpendicular to said right-left direction;  
   said polishing device serving to polish the baseboard by clamping said baseboard between the polishing tapes of said first polishing head and said second polishing head through the backup members of said first polishing head and said second polishing head and causing each of the backup members to undergo a reciprocating motion in said forward-backward direction, said backup members having pressure varying means for locally varying pressure applied on said baseboard by said feeding tapes;    wherein said feeding device comprises a first feeder and a second feeder which are structured symmetrically in said right-left direction and each comprise a feeder frame, a plurality of feeder rollers rotatably attached to said feeder frame for transporting the baseboard, and a feeder driving means for causing said feeder rollers to rotate;    said first feeder and said second feeder being disposed such that corresponding ones of the feeder rollers of said first feeder and said second feeder are opposite each other; and    said feeding device serving to transport the baseboard by clamping the baseboard between the oppositely facing feeder rollers and causing said feeder rollers to rotate by said feeder driving means;    wherein said discharge device comprises a first discharger and a second discharger which are structured symmetrically in said right-left direction and each comprise a discharger frame, a plurality of discharger rollers rotatably attached to said discharger frame for transporting the baseboard, and a discharger driving means for causing said discharger rollers to rotate;    said first discharger and said second discharger being disposed such that corresponding ones of the discharger rollers of said first discharger and said second discharger are opposite each other; and    said discharging device serving to discharge the baseboard by clamping the baseboard between the oppositely facing discharger rollers and causing said discharger rollers to rotate by said discharger driving means.    
     
     
         2 . The polishing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said pressure varying means includes a plurality of indentations on a surface of each of said backup members and a nozzle for emitting pressurized air therefrom disposed in each of said indentations.  
     
     
         3 . The polishing apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the amount of said pressurized air to be emitted through each of said nozzle is electronically controlled individually.  
     
     
         4 . The polishing apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said polishing device further comprises a head moving means for moving said first polishing head and said second polishing head in said right-left direction towards and away from each other, serving to clamp the baseboard between the backup members by moving said first polishing head and said second polishing head in said right-left direction; 
 wherein said feeding device further comprises a feeder moving means for moving said first feeder and said second feeder in said right-left direction towards and away from each other, serving to clamp the baseboard between the feed rollers of said first feeder and said second feeder by moving said first feeder and said second feeder in said right-left direction; and  
 wherein said discharging device further comprises a discharger moving means for moving said first discharger and said second discharger in said right-left direction towards and away from each other, serving to clamp the baseboard between the feed rollers of said first discharger and said second discharger by moving said first discharger and said second discharger in said right-left direction.