Patent Application
20170050285
This application claims priority from Taiwan Patent Application No. 104126857, filed on Aug. 18, 2015 in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polishing system and the polishing method thereof, especially a polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the manufacturing industry and technology progress, products in various shapes need to have their surfaces polished, and the demand for high quality polishing of surfaces continues to increase. At the same time, there is a requirement for higher standard in process efficiency, cost control, and waste management. In particular, for those consumer products that become obsolete rapidly, in their manufacture the aim is to produce a high quality surface finish, while also maximizing the efficiency and minimizing the costs, in order to shorten the production cycle and maximize the overall cost-effectiveness.
Although the mechanical chemical polishing of prior art is efficient, the process is contact-type polishing which can not be applied to a work piece with 3-dimensional (3D) shape that is hard to reach, requiring instead a grinding tool (such as a polishing pad), which increases the cost. Besides, the process involves more factors that affect the product quality, so the process is hard to control. More importantly, a major limitation of this method of prior art is that vast amounts of waste fluid have to be processed.
The non-contact-type polishing of prior art, such as jet-polishing and magnetorheological polishing, generally deliver a very high quality of surface polish, and can theoretically process a work piece of any shape. However, in reality, these methods of prior art have the shortcomings of low efficiency and high cost, and can only be applied to a few materials. Taking magnetorheological polishing as an example, the cost of magnetorheological polishing fluid is high and magnetorheological polishing is used mainly for optical lenses.
The inventors of the present disclosure have investigated and designed a polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and a polishing method thereof to specifically improve the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art and to enhance industrial applicability.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof to address the aforementioned limitations of the prior art.
To this end, a polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid has been devised, which includes a polishing device, a non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device, and a control device. The polishing device is configured to move a work piece in a polishing container, where the polishing container contains non-Newtonian fluid, and the non-Newtonian fluid has abrasives therein that causes the polishing action. The non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device is configured to manipulate the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid through variation in the pressure or speed thereof, or through variation in the vibration or ultrasonic frequency applied thereto, such that the abrasives polish the work piece. The control device is used to control the polishing device to move the work piece inside the polishing container. When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device is in operation, the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid increases, resulting in fluid characteristics resembling those of a semi-solid substance. When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device is not in operation, the non-Newtonian fluid quickly reverts to its liquid like state.
Preferably, the non-Newtonian fluid may be made of biodegradable material and the apparent viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid may be between 20 kPa·s (Pascal second) and 100 kPa·s.
Preferably, the present invention may further include a polishing fluid circulation device, which includes a polishing container, a drainage module, a cleaning module, and a fluid feeding module. The drainage module is connected with the polishing container to discharge the non-Newtonian fluid from the polishing container. The cleaning module is installed in the polishing container to clean the polishing container and the work piece before or after the polishing. The fluid feeding module is connected with the polishing container to supply the non-Newtonian fluid to the polishing container.
Preferably, the present invention can further include a measuring device, itself including a fluid level measuring module, a viscosity measuring module, a temperature measuring module, a flow rate and velocity measuring module, and a pressure measuring module. The fluid level measuring module measures the level of the non-Newtonian fluid level in the polishing container; the viscosity measuring module measures the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; the temperature measuring module measures the temperature of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; the flow rate and velocity measuring module measures the flow rate and velocity of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; and the pressure measuring module measures the pressure of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container.
Preferably, the polishing device includes a shaft and a holding tool, wherein the shaft has a plurality of degrees of freedom in its movement. The holding tool is rotatably connected to the shaft. The holding tool is configured to hold the work piece. The control device controls the rotating speed and movement of the shaft, together with the rotating speed and angle of the holding tool.
A polishing method is also devised, including the following steps: providing a polishing container containing the non-Newtonian fluid, where the non-Newtonian fluid has abrasives therein that causes the polishing action; using a polishing device to hold a work piece and to place the work piece in the polishing container filled with the non-Newtonian fluid; using a non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device to manipulate the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid by varying the pressure, speed, vibration or ultrasonic frequency, such that the abrasives polish the work piece; and using a control device to control the polishing device to move the work piece inside the polishing container. When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device is in operation, the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid increases, resulting in fluid characteristics resembling those of a semi-solid substance. When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device is not in operation, the non-Newtonian fluid quickly reverts to its liquid like state.
Preferably, the present invention can further include the following step: making the non-Newtonian fluid from biodegradable components, wherein the apparent viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid is between 20 kPa·s and 100 kPa·s.
Preferably, the present invention further includes the following steps: connecting a drainage module to the polishing container to discharge the non-Newtonian fluid from the polishing container; installing a cleaning module in the polishing container to clean the polishing container and the work piece before or after the polishing; and connecting a fluid feeding module to the polishing container to supply the non-Newtonian fluid to the polishing container.
Preferably, the present invention can further include the following steps: measuring the level of the non-Newtonian fluid level in the polishing container, so that the level of non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container corresponds to the work piece; measuring the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; measuring the temperature of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; measuring the flow rate and the velocity of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container; and measuring the pressure of the non-Newtonian fluid in the polishing container.
Preferably, the present invention further includes the following steps: providing a shaft which has a plurality of degrees of freedom in its movement; rotatably connecting a holding tool to the shaft; using the holding tool to hold the work piece; employing the control device to control the rotating speed and the movement of the shaft; and employing the control device to control the rotating speed and angle of the holding tool.
The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention has one or more of the following advantages:
(1) The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention can polish work pieces of all kinds of materials and shapes, and is especially suited to polish work piece with any 3D surfaces, such as curved surfaces, or contoured surfaces. By incorporating digital control technology for the precise coordination of the polishing process, every surface of a 3D object is subjected to the same degree of surface removal and to the same surface treatment, resulting in a uniform surface finish.
(2) The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention may be applied to the precise polishing of optical lenses that require a high grade surface finish, as well as the rapid polishing of objects to mass produce a consistent surface finish and therefore appearance for the finished product, such as with mobile phones cases.
(3) The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention uses a kind of non-Newtonian fluid made of environmental-friendly and biodegradable material. The waste fluid may be biodegraded, and this method of disposal is better for the environmental, uses less energy, and costs less than other disposal methods.
(4) The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention makes use of the properties of non-Newtonian fluids. The use of a non-Newtonian fluid allows for a non-contact polishing method without the need to use grinding tools, such as abrasive disks and polishing pads. Polishing methods using such grinding tools are more costly and can cause defects, such as scratches and cuts on the work piece, when the grinding tool accidentally comes into contact with the work piece.
To illustrate and explain the novel features, contents, and advantages of the present invention, and the effect that can be achieved therefrom; detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are herein provided, and these reference the accompanying diagrams. It should be noted, however, that the diagrams and exemplary embodiments herein used, are for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the specification of the present invention, without necessarily implying the actual size, ratio, or precise configuration. Therefore, in the accompanying diagrams, the size, ratio and configuration shall not be interpreted in any way that limits the scope, applicability or configuration of the present invention.
The following embodiments of the polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method thereof of the present invention are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. For the sake of clarity, similar elements in the embodiments described below are designated with similar numerals throughout the present disclosure.
Please refer to
After the polishing device 10 has placed the work piece 9 into the polishing container 51, the control device 30 may set and control the polishing parameters based on the material and size of the work piece 9 and the polishing grade required. For instance, a number of polishing modes and polishing duration can be preset, wherein the polishing parameters for each polishing mode may include the rotating speed and movement of the shaft 11, as well as the angle, rotating speed, movement and vertical position of the work piece 9. That is to say, the control device 30 controls the rotating speed and movement of the shaft 11, as well as the rotating speed and angle of the holding tool 12. When the polishing device 10 is in operation, the viscosity measuring module 41 of the measuring device 40 may measure the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 in the polishing container 51, and then transmit the measured result to the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device 20. Based on the measured viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid 511, the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device 20 manipulates the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 through variation in the pressure or speed thereof, or through variation in the vibration or ultrasonic frequency applied thereto, such that the work piece 9 is polished by the abrasives 512.
When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device 20 is in operation, the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 resembles that of a semi-solid substance. When the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device 20 is not in operation, the non-Newtonian fluid 511 quickly reverts to liquid like state. With the aforementioned configuration, the abrasives 512 are able to polish the work piece 9.
Please refer to
As shown in
The measuring device 40 may further include a fluid level measuring module 42, a temperature measuring module 43, a flow rate and velocity measuring module 44, and a pressure measuring module 45. The fluid level measuring module 42 measures the level of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 in the polishing container 51. The fluid level measuring module 42 ensures or confirms that the level of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 is higher than the vertical position of the work piece 9, such that the work piece 9 is completely immersed in the non-Newtonian fluid 511. The temperature measuring module 43 measures the temperature of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 in the polishing container 51; the flow rate and velocity measuring module 44 measures the flow rate and the velocity of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 in the polishing container 51; and the pressure measuring module 45 measures the pressure of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 in the polishing container 51.
In short, the polishing fluid circulation device 50 can automatically and conveniently clean the polishing container 51 and the work piece 9, in addition to replace the non-Newtonian fluid 511 and control the volume thereof.
Before or after the polishing process, the polishing fluid circulation device 50 can clean the polishing container 51 and the work piece 9 by using the cleaning module 53. During the polishing process, the polishing fluid circulation device 50 may supply the fluid through the fluid feeding module 54 based on the feedback information from the fluid level measuring module 42 at any time in order to meet the desired characteristics of the non-Newtonian fluid 511. After the non-Newtonian fluid 511 has been used for a specified number of times, the non-Newtonian fluid 511 (the polishing fluid) can be replaced through the use of the drainage module 52 and the fluid feeding module 54.
In addition, with the temperature measuring module 43, the flow rate and velocity measuring module 44, and the pressure measuring module 45 of the present invention, the flow rate, velocity, and pressure of the non-Newtonian fluid 511 can be monitored or adjusted in order to more accurately and conveniently control the non-Newtonian fluid 511 to reach the desired viscosity for polishing.
Please refer to
Please refer to
Please refer to
The detailed explanation of the polishing method based on the non-Newtonian fluid of the present invention has been presented in the aforementioned explanation of the polishing system based on the non-Newtonian fluid of the present invention, and so their details will not be repeated here. It is worth mentioning that, a carrier liquid formulated with biodegradable ingredients, such as corn, amylum, Konjac glucomannan or cellulose, which exhibits non-Newtonian properties, may serve as the non-Newtonian fluid of the present invention; wherein the apparent viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid is preferably between 20 kPa·s (Pascal second) and 100 kPa·s, and after the polishing process, the waste fluid may be disposed of through bio-degradation.
In a practical embodiment, the implementation steps are briefly explained here, it includes: selecting the type of abrasives according to the material and the requirements of the work piece to be polished and formulating the polishing fluid by blending the abrasives with the non-Newtonian fluid based carrier fluid; holding the work piece to be polished with the holding tool; pouring the polishing fluid into the polishing container, until the polishing liquid reaches a predetermined level; selecting the modes and the duration of polishing; setting the vertical position of the shaft, the rotating speed and movement of the shaft, as well as the rotating speed and angle of the work piece in each mode; enabling the measuring device to detect the viscosity, temperature, etc. of the non-Newtonian fluid; starting the polishing process; based on the feedback information from the measuring device, enabling the non-Newtonian fluid auxiliary device to manipulate viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid by selectively applying vibration, pressure, ultrasonic wave, etc., so as to reach a desired viscosity; and, after the polishing process, cleaning the device.
The present invention provides a polishing method based on the non-Newtonian fluid that is suitable for processing, with high efficiency, work pieces of any shape and thus addresses the limitations of the polishing methods of prior art. The limitations of the polishing methods of prior art, as already mentioned herein, are inability to process objects with certain 3D shapes, low process efficiency and issues in waste fluid disposal. The polishing system based on a non-Newtonian fluid and the polishing method based on a non-Newtonian fluid may also include the disposal of the waste fluid through bio-degradation. The basic approach of the present invention is by: employing a carrier liquid formulated with biodegradable ingredients, such as corn, amylum, Konjac glucomannan or cellulose, which exhibits non-Newtonian properties; incorporating a device suitable for operating the non-Newtonian fluid for polishing; and taking advantage of the properties of non-Newtonian fluids that their viscosity increases when their pressure or velocity changes. In this way the operation of non-contact polishing can be carried out on the work piece.
The aforementioned description is for the purpose of illustration only and shall not be interpreted in any way to limit the scope, applicability or configuration, of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may carry out many changes and modifications as alternative embodiments, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104126857 | Aug 2015 | TW | national |
