Off-line honing of slicer blades

The present invention generally relates to honing of a variety of cutting devices by which components such as slicer blades are sharpened, honed or ground along their respective cutting edges. The invention is particularly well-suited for honing, grinding and/or sharpening blades for slicing food products such as large sticks, chubs, loaves or pieces of meat, luncheon meat, cheese and the like. These slicing blades typically have a curved cutting surface or edge portion along all or a substantial part of the periphery of the slicer blade. The invention includes use of a cam member that has a curved pathway at least a portion of which emulates the profile or peripheral shape of the slicing edge of the blade. At least two totally independent sliding honing spindle assemblies are associated with cam followers which engage and follow the camming surface of the cam member. Rotating honing wheels of these honing spindle assemblies closely follow the peripheral edge portion of the blade to effect the honing action in a uniform and accurate manner. The invention also minimizes the number of tools needed to make adjustments to the device. An apparatus and method for honing, sharpening or grinding a curved peripheral cutting surface of a slicer blade are provided. Included is the use of one of a set of interchangeable cams that generally follows the curved shape of the blade cutting surface, whether same has a constant radius or varying radii. The honing is accomplished off-line of the slicer equipment, and the movement of two honing or grinding wheels is closely controlled so as to provide honed or ground cutting edges which are of substantially uniform width throughout their respective peripheries. The two honing or grinding wheels operate independently of each other on opposing edges of the blade, a large blade load area is provided therebetween, precision gib adjustments are provided between the wheel and the cam follower, and a single tool is needed to make adjustments of the apparatus.