Apparatus and method for grinding needle workpieces

摘要

An apparatus for grinding tapered points on needles is disclosed. The apparatus has a frame and a transport associated with the frame for transporting a plurality of needles. The transport has a predetermined curvature and a feeder is mounted adjacent the frame for feeding needles to the transport. A grinding wheel is disposed adjacent the transport and has a major diameter at a first end and a minor diameter at a second end, the major diameter being greater than the minor diameter and connected by a curved grinding surface the diameter of which increases progressively therebetween. The curvature of the grinding wheel in a first third portion between the major and minor diameters is of greater mean curvature than the mean curvature of the corresponding opposed portion of the transport. A second third portion of the grinding wheel is of greater mean curvature than the mean curvature of the corresponding opposed portion of the transport. The mean curvature difference therebetween is less than the difference of the first portion with respect to the first portion's corresponding opposed portion of the transport, and a third portion being of lesser mean curvature than the corresponding opposed portion of the transport such that a surface portion of a needle which contacts the grinding surface varies relative to the position of the needle with respect to the grinding surface. A method of grinding needles is also disclosed.