Lapping machine having pressure plates, the temperature of which is controlled by a coolant

Claim 2

An improvement in a lapping machine having a lapping table, the improvement comprising: a. a pressure plate positioned on said table and hollowed to provide an enclosed coolant-circulating chamber; and b. a fixture attached to and carried by said pressure plate and including means for circulating a coolant through said chamber comprising inlet means for delivering said coolant to said chamber and outlet means for said coolant from said chamber.

Claim 3

The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said means for delivering the coolant to said chamber and the outlet means for said coolant comprises conduits having portions thereof in telescopically spaced relation with respect to each other within said fixture.

Claim 4

The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said fixture comprises a stationary casing and a tubular portion axially rotatable with respect to said casing and mEans for connecting the rotatable tubular portion to said pressure plate.

Claim 5

An improvement in a lapping machine having a lapping table, the improvement comprising: a. a pressure plate hollowed to provide a chamber and positioned upon said table; b. a fixture having a nonrotatable tubular casing and a rotatable conduit rotatable relative to and supported by said casing; c. a coolant supply pipe carried by said casing and having a tube extending therethrough in spaced relation with respect to the rotatable tubular conduit; d. an outlet pipe for the coolant communicating with the casing; e. means for connecting the rotatable conduit to the pressure plate for rotation therewith; and f. said rotatable conduit extending into said pressure plate and terminating short of the inner surface of the bottom wall thereof.

Claim 6

An improvement in a lapping machine having a lapping table, the improvement comprising: a. a pressure plate hollowed to provide a chamber and positioned upon said table; b. a fixture having a nonrotatable tubular casing and a rotatable conduit rotatable relative to and supported by said casing; c. a coolant supply pipe carried by said casing and having a tube extending therethrough in spaced relation with respect to the rotatable tubular conduit; d. an outlet pipe for the coolant communicating with the casing; e. means for connecting the rotatable conduit to the pressure plate for rotation therewith; and f. said rotatable conduit extending into said pressure plate and terminating short of the inner surface of the bottom wall thereof.

Claim 7

In a polishing machine having a framework, an abrading wheel assembly mounted on the framework on a vertical axis, means for rotating the abrading wheel assembly, at least one vertical spindle assembly supported from the framework above the abrading wheel assembly, a generally horizontal load plate unit having a circular continuous uninterrupted lower surface concentric of the longitudinal axis of said spindle assembly and adapted to receive at least one workpiece at the lower surface thereof for engagement with said abrading wheel assembly, and means establishing interengagement between said spindle assembly and said load plate unit, the improvement comprising said load plate unit having a central opening in the upper surface thereof, said load plate unit having fluid passageway means communicating with said central opening, and said spindle assembly having fluid transmission means communicating with said central opening.

Claim 8

In a polishing machine having a framework, an abrading wheel assembly mounted on the framework on a vertical axis, means for rotating the abrading wheel assembly, at least one vertical spindle assembly supported from the framework above the abrading wheel assembly, a generally horizontal load plate unit having a circular continuous uninterrupted lower surface concentric of the longitudinal axis of said spindle assembly and adapted to receive at least one workpiece at the lower surface thereof for engagement with said abrading wheel assembly, and means establishing interengagement between said spindle assembly and said load plate unit, the improvement comprising said load plate unit having a central opening in the upper surface thereof, said load plate unit having fluid passageway means communicating with said central opening, and said spindle assembly having fluid transmission means communicating with said central opening.