Tool sharpener with web thickness determination capability

摘要

Method and apparatus for sharpening a tool, such as a drill bit. A tool sharpener includes a tool holder subassembly which retains and presents the tool against a grinding wheel subassembly. A sensor locates a cutting edge of the tool while the tool is retained by the tool holder. A circuit, preferably comprising a programmable processor, determines a web thickness of the tool from the located cutting edge. The cutting edge is preferably located by detecting at least first and second points at different radii along the cutting edge. A cross-feed subassembly preferably moves the sensor into position, and the tool holder subassembly preferably rotates the tool to facilitate detection of each of the at least first and second points. The tool holder subassembly thereafter presents the tool against the grinding wheel subassembly in response to the determined web thickness of the tool.