Various examples are provided for polishing techniques for flexible tubular workpieces. In one example, a method includes supporting a tubular workpiece on a rod that extends axially through it; positioning a turning wheel against an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction; and rotating the tubular workpiece by rotating the turning wheel. The external surface of the tubular workpiece is polished by the abrasive particles during rotation of the tubular workpiece. In another example, a polishing system includes a workpiece holder including a rod configured to axially support a tubular workpiece; a turning wheel with abrasive particles distributed about an outer surface; a wheel support assembly configured to position the outer surface of the turning wheel against the an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction. The external surface is polished during rotation of the tubular workpiece.

Various examples are provided for polishing techniques for flexible tubular workpieces. In one example, a method includes supporting a tubular workpiece on a rod that extends axially through it; positioning a turning wheel against an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction; and rotating the tubular workpiece by rotating the turning wheel. The external surface of the tubular workpiece is polished by the abrasive particles during rotation of the tubular workpiece. In another example, a polishing system includes a workpiece holder including a rod configured to axially support a tubular workpiece; a turning wheel with abrasive particles distributed about an outer surface; a wheel support assembly configured to position the outer surface of the turning wheel against the an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction. The external surface is polished during rotation of the tubular workpiece.

In an optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 20 used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule 30 having a rectangular cross section, the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 20 having: a body part 21 having an insertion hole 21A into which the optical fiber ferrule 30 can be inserted, the body part 21 being capable of abutting on the optical fiber ferrule 30 at a support wall 21A1 of the insertion hole 21A; and a fixing part 25 (29) having a pressing wall 25B (29B) for pressing the optical fiber ferrule 30 to the support wall 21A1 at a predetermined pressure, wherein the support wall 21A1 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis which is vertically extended from a polishing surface 13 of an optical fiber ferrule polishing machine 10, and the support wall 21A1 has a protrusion 21C toward the pressing wall 25B (29B).

In an optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 20 used for polishing an optical fiber ferrule 30 having a rectangular cross section, the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 20 having: a body part 21 having an insertion hole 21A into which the optical fiber ferrule 30 can be inserted, the body part 21 being capable of abutting on the optical fiber ferrule 30 at a support wall 21A1 of the insertion hole 21A; and a fixing part 25 (29) having a pressing wall 25B (29B) for pressing the optical fiber ferrule 30 to the support wall 21A1 at a predetermined pressure, wherein the support wall 21A1 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis which is vertically extended from a polishing surface 13 of an optical fiber ferrule polishing machine 10, and the support wall 21A1 has a protrusion 21C toward the pressing wall 25B (29B).

A polishing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a polishing table; a polishing pad provided on the polishing table; a first rotating mechanism configured to rotate the polishing table on a first rotation axis; a substrate holding unit configured to hold a substrate and press the substrate against the polishing pad; a second rotating mechanism configured to rotate the substrate holding unit on a second rotation axis; and a tilting mechanism configured to change an angle between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. In the apparatus, the circumferential edge of the substrate is always kept inside the circumferential edge of the polishing pad during polishing of the substrate.

A polishing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a polishing table; a polishing pad provided on the polishing table; a first rotating mechanism configured to rotate the polishing table on a first rotation axis; a substrate holding unit configured to hold a substrate and press the substrate against the polishing pad; a second rotating mechanism configured to rotate the substrate holding unit on a second rotation axis; and a tilting mechanism configured to change an angle between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. In the apparatus, the circumferential edge of the substrate is always kept inside the circumferential edge of the polishing pad during polishing of the substrate.

A tank polishing system for polishing a tank, the system includes a polishing cell housing a body polishing station and an end polishing station; an input window leading into the polishing cell; an output window leading out of the polishing cell; a robot having an arm with one or more vacuum cups to releasably secure to the tank via vacuum pressure, the robot housed within the polishing cell and to transfer the tank from the input window, to the body polishing station, to the end polishing station, and to the output window; a body polishing machine to polish the tank at the body polishing station; and a control system to receive user commands to operate the robot and the one or more polishing machine.

A tank polishing system for polishing a tank, the system includes a polishing cell housing a body polishing station and an end polishing station; an input window leading into the polishing cell; an output window leading out of the polishing cell; a robot having an arm with one or more vacuum cups to releasably secure to the tank via vacuum pressure, the robot housed within the polishing cell and to transfer the tank from the input window, to the body polishing station, to the end polishing station, and to the output window; a body polishing machine to polish the tank at the body polishing station; and a control system to receive user commands to operate the robot and the one or more polishing machine.

The present invention discloses an automatic grinding device for weld beading on the inner wall of a pipeline with a large length to diameter ratio. The automatic grinding device includes a supporting module, and a walking module, a working module and a control module which are arranged on the supporting module, where the walking module is used for moving the supporting module to the butt welding position of the pipeline; the working module is used for grinding the weld beading; and the control module is used for controlling the actions of the walking module and the working module. When the pipeline rotates along the axial direction, the position of the grinding device can remain at the bottom of the pipeline, rather than rotating together with the pipeline, and the elimination of weld beading on the whole circumference at the butt welding position of the pipeline is realized.

The present invention discloses an automatic grinding device for weld beading on the inner wall of a pipeline with a large length to diameter ratio. The automatic grinding device includes a supporting module, and a walking module, a working module and a control module which are arranged on the supporting module, where the walking module is used for moving the supporting module to the butt welding position of the pipeline; the working module is used for grinding the weld beading; and the control module is used for controlling the actions of the walking module and the working module. When the pipeline rotates along the axial direction, the position of the grinding device can remain at the bottom of the pipeline, rather than rotating together with the pipeline, and the elimination of weld beading on the whole circumference at the butt welding position of the pipeline is realized.