Slit blade polishing procedure

Abstract

A procedure for polishing slit blades to ensure proper flatness and blade angle. This task is incredibly difficult. The number of strokes, series of and type of abrasive papers used, direction of polishing lapping strokes, as well as other practices to promote flatness and minimize human and manufacturing error in the final slit blade product have all been experimentally determined by ADC personnel over years of experience and study. A fixture for holding blades while polishing the blade angle side has been developed to accommodate precise blade angle polishing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A methodical procedure for polishing slit blades for x-ray beam size definition. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step-by-step procedure listed is used for slit blades of varying sizes, ranging from:
 (a) 10 to 35 mm in width and 
 (b) 1.5 to 12 mm in thickness. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said slit blades are made of either:
 (c) Tungsten or 
 (d) Tantalum. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said step-by-step procedure begins with polishing the beam side of the apparatus of  claim 2  using:
 (e) 180 grit paper 
 (f) a lapping technique, one forward and one back stroke across the blade, five to eight lap strokes and 
 (g) blowing said slit blade with compressed air 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein continuation of said step-by-step procedure occurs, using 240 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein continuation of said step-by-step procedure occurs, using 320 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein continuation of said step-by-step procedure occurs, using 400 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein polishing continues on the 2° angle side of the slit blade, wherein said blade angle fixture is placed on 0.002″ stainless steel shims and clamped in with one to four blades, depending per the system, to maintain parallelism while polishing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 180 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 240 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 320 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 400 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 600 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 800 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step-by-step procedure of  claim 2  is carried out beginning with 1200 grit paper and following steps (f) and (g) of method of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein final polishing of the blade angle side is done using 1200 grit silicon carbide paste on a tungsten lapping plate. 
     
     
         17 . The continuation of the method of  claim 7  wherein beam side polishing is continued using 600, 800 then 1200 grit paper to complete the polishing of said slit beam side. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7  wherein final beam side polishing is done using 1200 grit silicon carbide paste on a tungsten lapping plate. 
     
     
         19 . A checking procedure wherein flatness can be checked throughout the polishing method of  claim 1  by applying water to the slit blade and observing movement of beading. When water beads from edge to edge, flatness has been achieved. If said water ceases movement at any point, flatness no present. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the event that flatness has not been achieved, blade surface is to be re-flattened beginning with method of  claim 6  and continuing to the method of  claim 18 .