A sculptured drum for a retread process that has an inner radial section with a central axis that extends in an axial direction. The sculptured drum has a plurality of support members that extend outward from a drum outer surface in a radial direction and that are located outward from the inner radial section in the radial direction. A tread that has a plurality of grooves is supported by the sculptured drum during a brushing process and pass across the sculptured drum such that some but not all of the grooves have one of the support members disposed therein. The support members when disposed within the grooves do not completely fill the grooves, and when disposed within the grooves engage a lower surface of the tread.

Apparatuses and associated methods for polishing side surfaces of fibers. The system includes a fiber loading mechanism for securing a fiber to the apparatus, a polishing mechanism, and a linear motion mechanism for linearly translating one of the polishing mechanism and the fiber for polishing a side surface of the fiber using the polishing mechanism.

A method for fabricating an applique for horology including a visible upper surface, and a lower surface for resting on a dial or a structure of a timepiece, and at least one foot projecting from the lower surface for attachment to such a dial or such a structure, according to which method, in a first operation, there is provided a profile or bar in which blanks of the feet and of the lower surface are machined, prior to cutting the profile or bar in a second operation, and then re-machining the upper surface, with at least one final diamond-polishing operation, wherein, during the first operation, at least two machining operations are performed in a cross so as to form a blank of each foot with a polygonal contour having facets.

A method for fabricating an applique for horology including a visible upper surface, and a lower surface for resting on a dial or a structure of a timepiece, and at least one foot projecting from the lower surface for attachment to such a dial or such a structure, according to which method, in a first operation, there is provided a profile or bar in which blanks of the feet and of the lower surface are machined, prior to cutting the profile or bar in a second operation, and then re-machining the upper surface, with at least one final diamond-polishing operation, wherein, during the first operation, at least two machining operations are performed in a cross so as to form a blank of each foot with a polygonal contour having facets.

The present invention relates to several systems and methods for clamping, machining, inspecting, and/or correcting workpieces in an integrated machine.

A sculptured drum for a retread process that has an inner radial section with a central axis that extends in an axial direction. The sculptured drum has a plurality of support members that extend outward from a drum outer surface in a radial direction and that are located outward from the inner radial section in the radial direction. A tread that has a plurality of grooves is supported by the sculptured drum during a brushing process and pass across the sculptured drum such that some but not all of the grooves have one of the support members disposed therein. The support members when disposed within the grooves do not completely fill the grooves, and when disposed within the grooves engage a lower surface of the tread.

An applique for horology includes a visible upper surface and a lower surface for resting on a dial or a structure of a timepiece. The applique also includes at least one foot projecting from the lower surface for attachment to the dial or the structure. To manufacture the applique, in a first operation, a profile or bar is provided in which blanks of the feet and of the lower surface are machined prior to cutting the profile or bar in a second operation. Then, the upper surface is re-machined with at least one final diamond-polishing operation. During the first operation, at least two machining operations are performed in a cross so as to form a blank of each foot with a polygonal contour having facets.

An applique for horology includes a visible upper surface and a lower surface for resting on a dial or a structure of a timepiece. The applique also includes at least one foot projecting from the lower surface for attachment to the dial or the structure. To manufacture the applique, in a first operation, a profile or bar is provided in which blanks of the feet and of the lower surface are machined prior to cutting the profile or bar in a second operation. Then, the upper surface is re-machined with at least one final diamond-polishing operation. During the first operation, at least two machining operations are performed in a cross so as to form a blank of each foot with a polygonal contour having facets.

A variable radius sanding block for sanding curved surfaces. The variable radius sanding block includes a base member and a plurality of variably sized radius patches. The base member is sized and proportioned to allow radius patches of varying size to be inserted, such that each of the radius patches will change the curvature of the sanding block upon insertion. The base member also having a folded flexible internal structure and a pair of flexible arms that facilitate insertion of radius patches of varying size. The radius patch includes a pair of grooves that receive the flexible arms of the base member and secure the base member to the radius patch.

A variable radius sanding block for sanding curved surfaces. The variable radius sanding block includes a base member and a plurality of variably sized radius patches. The base member is sized and proportioned to allow radius patches of varying size to be inserted, such that each of the radius patches will change the curvature of the sanding block upon insertion. The base member also having a folded flexible internal structure and a pair of flexible arms that facilitate insertion of radius patches of varying size. The radius patch includes a pair of grooves that receive the flexible arms of the base member and secure the base member to the radius patch.