Device for processing the surface of spherical shells

Abstract

This disclosure concerns a device for machining surfaces, e.g., superfinishing, polishing, grinding or lapping spherical shells or flattened domes of a workpiece, or, for example, a ball joint, using a tool having a machining stone with a workpiece receiver, a first drive for an oscillating motion about a first axis of the workpiece, a tool holder and a second drive for an oscillating motion about a second axis of the tool holder, whereby the axes are an angle to one another.

1 . A device for machining surfaces, comprising a tool having a machining stone with a workpiece receiver, a first drive for an oscillating motion at an angle about a first axis of the workpiece, a tool holder, and a second drive for an oscillating motion at an angle about a second axis of the tool holder, whereby the first axis and the second axis are at an angle to one another. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis and the second axis intersect at the center of the spherical shell or the flattened dome. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the axes are orthogonal to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillation angle of at least one drive is adjustable. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the oscillation angle of at least one drive may be modified during a machining process. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the angle of oscillation of at least one drive is about ±5° to about ±20°. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone is cylindrical and has at least one partial spherical working surface. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone or the workpiece or the first drive may be moved in the direction of the first axis. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone or the first drive may be moved in the direction of the second axis. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone or the first drive may be acted upon by a contact pressure in the direction of the first axis. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone has two working surfaces opposed to one another. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the machining stone has two machining stone sections and each machining stone section has a working surface. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the angle of oscillation of at least one drive is about ±8° to about ±15°. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the angle of oscillation of at least one drive is about ±10°. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a device for spreading the machining stone sections and moving them together is provided between the machining stone sections. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device for spreading the machining stone sections and moving them together presses the machining stone sections against a surface of the workpiece to be machined at a definable contact pressure. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein a finishing band may be interposed between the machining stone and the surface of the workpiece to be machined.