A system and method are disclosed for polishing and lubricating an aluminum welding wire. The system and method draw stock aluminum wire from a spool, subject the stock wire to a plurality of drawing and thermal treatment steps to obtain a wire having a final diameter suitable for use in a continuous welding apparatus. Immediately after the final drawing step, the wire is subjected to a polishing and lubricating process in which a cord that is impregnated with a lubricant is passed over the surface of the wire. The cord serves to remove contaminants, such as metal fines, from the surface of the wire, and also to provide a layer of lubricant over the surface of the wire. The resulting wire has an improved appearance, will not clog the automatic welding apparatus, and the lubricant will not contribute adversely to weld porosity in use.

A system and method are disclosed for polishing and lubricating an aluminum welding wire. The system and method draw stock aluminum wire from a spool, subject the stock wire to a plurality of drawing and thermal treatment steps to obtain a wire having a final diameter suitable for use in a continuous welding apparatus. Immediately after the final drawing step, the wire is subjected to a polishing and lubricating process in which a cord that is impregnated with a lubricant is passed over the surface of the wire. The cord serves to remove contaminants, such as metal fines, from the surface of the wire, and also to provide a layer of lubricant over the surface of the wire. The resulting wire has an improved appearance, will not clog the automatic welding apparatus, and the lubricant will not contribute adversely to weld porosity in use.

Free stall systems having free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship having coated rail members. The coated rail members comprising an elongated fiberglass material manufactured by grinding a starting fiberglass material prior to a coating being applied. The starting fiberglass material can be reclaimed and reused from other industries such that the fiberglass material may be cut to remove unwanted metal end portions and/or cut to a desired size prior to the grinding and coating steps. The coated fiberglass material can be coated with a UV-resistant material or other coating to maintain the longevity of the fiberglass member during its use. The coated fiberglass apparatus may be utilized in free stall systems, gates, fencing materials and other applications where a solid fiberglass rod or hollow fiberglass tube having a desired coating is desired.

Free stall systems having free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship having coated rail members. The coated rail members comprising an elongated fiberglass material manufactured by grinding a starting fiberglass material prior to a coating being applied. The starting fiberglass material can be reclaimed and reused from other industries such that the fiberglass material may be cut to remove unwanted metal end portions and/or cut to a desired size prior to the grinding and coating steps. The coated fiberglass material can be coated with a UV-resistant material or other coating to maintain the longevity of the fiberglass member during its use. The coated fiberglass apparatus may be utilized in free stall systems, gates, fencing materials and other applications where a solid fiberglass rod or hollow fiberglass tube having a desired coating is desired.

Billets 3 are fed to billet carrying equipment 2 through billet loading equipment 28. With actuation of a first truing-up equipment the grinding apparatus of billets at both end faces 1, the billet placed on a tray 23 is trued-up to the side of a first grinding equipment for working on planar portions 4A. With actuation of the first grinding equipment for working on planar portions 4A, working on the planar portion in one end face of the billet 3 is performed by a grinding belt 46. The billet is carried through billet carrying equipment 2 to the position of working of a first grinding equipment for chamfering 5A. With actuation of a second truing-up equipment, a truing-up guide is pushed to cause the billet on the tray 23 is trued-up to the side of first grinding equipment for chamfering 5A.

Billets 3 are fed to billet carrying equipment 2 through billet loading equipment 28. With actuation of a first truing-up equipment the grinding apparatus of billets at both end faces 1, the billet placed on a tray 23 is trued-up to the side of a first grinding equipment for working on planar portions 4A. With actuation of the first grinding equipment for working on planar portions 4A, working on the planar portion in one end face of the billet 3 is performed by a grinding belt 46. The billet is carried through billet carrying equipment 2 to the position of working of a first grinding equipment for chamfering 5A. With actuation of a second truing-up equipment, a truing-up guide is pushed to cause the billet on the tray 23 is trued-up to the side of first grinding equipment for chamfering 5A.

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.

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 system for tracking workpiece movement during grinding of the workpiece includes a track, a motorized carriage movably mounted on the track, a detector, and a controller. A position of the carriage is determined by an encoder of the track. The detector is mounted on the carriage and includes a detection window and a sensor. The sensor detects a workpiece edge during grinding by detecting an image of the workpiece edge in the detection window. The controller determines a grinding position of the workpiece based on position data received from the carriage and edge data received from the detector. The controller controls the carriage to move in a forward direction or in a reverse direction to maintain the position of the image of the workpiece edge in the detection window.

A system for tracking workpiece movement during grinding of the workpiece includes a track, a motorized carriage movably mounted on the track, a detector, and a controller. A position of the carriage is determined by an encoder of the track. The detector is mounted on the carriage and includes a detection window and a sensor. The sensor detects a workpiece edge during grinding by detecting an image of the workpiece edge in the detection window. The controller determines a grinding position of the workpiece based on position data received from the carriage and edge data received from the detector. The controller controls the carriage to move in a forward direction or in a reverse direction to maintain the position of the image of the workpiece edge in the detection window.