Machine for polishing the surface of a work piece

Abstract

A machine for polishing a surface of a work piece has a precision sub-aperture polishing element. The polishing element has a compliant, toroidal polishing member mountable to a support member. A circumferential portion of the polishing member extends uniformly beyond the peripheral surface of the support member and forms a clearance with the work piece surface during polishing operations.

1 . A machine for polishing a work piece surface, comprising a polishing element for polishing the work piece surface, said polishing element having a compliant, toroidal polishing member mountable to a support member, said compliant, toroidal polishing member having a circumferential active polishing surface extending beyond a peripheral surface of said support member for engaging said work piece surface; and, 
 a drive means operably associated with said polishing element for rotating said polishing element in contact with said work piece surface.    
   
   
       2 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said compliant, toroidal polishing member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an elastic solid material, a polymeric material, and a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The machine recited in  claim 2  wherein said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane, chloroprene, fluorocarbon, fluorosilicone, ethylene propylene, and nitrile.  
   
   
       4 . The machine recited in  claim 2  wherein said polymeric material is nitrile.  
   
   
       5 . The machine recited in  claim 2  wherein said active polishing surface of said toroidal, polishing member is at least partially conformable with a surface of said work piece surface being polished.  
   
   
       6 . The machine recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support member is mounted to said compliant, toroidal polishing member with an adhesive bonding material.  
   
   
       7 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said support member is mounted to said compliant, toroidal polishing member by chemical bonding.  
   
   
       8 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said support member is mounted to said compliant, toroidal polishing member by thermal bonding.  
   
   
       9 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said support member is mounted to said compliant, toroidal polishing member by mechanical bonding.  
   
   
       10 . The machine recited in  claim 1  said active polishing surface has a Shore A hardness in the range of about 40-95.  
   
   
       11 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said compliant, toroidal polishing member has a substantially elongated shape along a radial axis.  
   
   
       12 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said compliant, toroidal polishing member has a substantially elongated shape along an axial axis.  
   
   
       13 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said compliant, toroidal polishing member has a substantially square shape with rounded end edge portions.  
   
   
       14 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said work piece surface is an optical surface.  
   
   
       15 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said work piece surface is ceramic.  
   
   
       16 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said work piece surface is a metal.  
   
   
       17 . The machine recited in  claim 1  wherein said work piece surface is a vitreous material.