Method of Manufacturing an Abrasive Member, in particular Rotary Abrasive Disc, and Abrasive Member, in particular Rotary Abrasive Disc

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an abrasive member, in particular having the general shape of a disc such as a cutting or grinding disc, comprises arranging a reinforcing insert or reinforcing member into a mold between a layer of curable abrasive resin compound, in particular a layer of curable abrasive granulate, a backing member such that at least a section of the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound, the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member is at least partially covered by the backing member and at least a section of the backing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound; bonding the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member and the backing member by curing the curable abrasive resin compound, wherein the cured abrasive resin compound forms an abrasive layer of the abrasive member.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an abrasive member, in particular having the general shape of a disc such as a cutting or grinding disc, the method comprising: arranging a reinforcing member into a mold between a layer of curable abrasive resin compound, in particular a layer of curable abrasive granulate and a backing member, such that at least a section of the reinforcing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound, the reinforcing member is at least partially covered by the backing member and at least a section of the backing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound; and bonding the reinforcing member and the backing member by curing the curable abrasive resin compound, wherein the cured abrasive resin compound forms an abrasive layer of the abrasive member.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member and the backing member are physically engaged with one another.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member and the backing member are mechanically connected to one another.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member and the backing member have central bores that are coaxially aligned, in particular aligned to flush-fit, before curing the curable abrasive resin compound to define a central opening of the abrasive member.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has an outer annular shape and is adapted to reinforce the abrasive member in a circumferential portion around the central opening.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the backing member is positioned in the mold such that a radial inner portion of the backing member surrounding the central opening is in direct physical contact with the reinforcing member and a radial outer portion of the backing member is in direct physical contact with the layer of the curable abrasive resin compound.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is adapted to transmit a mechanical force, in particular a torque to the abrasive member.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member includes a protrusion, in particular around a circumference around a stamped hole disposed in reinforcing member, wherein the protrusion is arranged to at least partially penetrate into the material of the abrasive layer after curing.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to and/or during curing, application of an axial pressure to the components of the abrasive member, in particular within the mold.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the curable abrasive resin compound is thermally cured.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first backing member is inserted into the mold prior to introducing the curable abrasive resin compound into the mold.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is positioned in the mold in manner that the reinforcing member is located, after curing, in a central part intermediate an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface of the generally disc-shaped abrasive member.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the backing member, in particular the first backing member, is made from fiber fabric, in particular from a resin impregnated glass fiber fabric and/or the curable abrasive resin compound includes a thermosetting synthetic polymer, preferably a phenolic resin and/or the reinforcing member is made from a metal or alloy.

14. An abrasive member, in particular cutting or grinding disc, manufactured according to the method of claim 1, including a reinforcing member that is located between an abrasive layer and a backing member.

15. The abrasive member according to claim 14, wherein the reinforcing member is positioned to surround a center of mass of the abrasive member.

16. The method according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member has an exposed annular section extending radially into the central opening of the abrasive member, and wherein the reinforcing member has another annular section disposed radially outwardly of the exposed annular section and which is disposed between the abrasive layer and backing member.

17. The method according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member has an exposed section extending radially into the central opening of the abrasive member, and wherein the reinforcing member has an embedded section located radially outwardly of the exposed section, the embedded section embedded within the abrasive member by being disposed between the abrasive layer and backing member.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the exposed section is annular, wherein the embedded section is annular, and wherein the radial extent of the embedded section is greater than the radial extent of the exposed section.

19. An abrasive member formed of a plurality of layers comprising: (a) an annular backing member; (b) an annular abrasive layer comprised of an abrasive resin and abrasive granulate; and (c) an annular reinforcing member disposed between the backing member and the abrasive layer; and wherein (i) at least a portion of the reinforcing member is in direct physical contact with the abrasive layer, (ii) the reinforcing member is at least partially covered by the backing member; and (iii) at least a portion of the backing member is in direct physical contact with the abrasive layer; and wherein the reinforcing member has (i) an exposed annular section extending radially into the central opening of the abrasive member, (ii) an embedded annular section located radially outwardly of the exposed annular section, the embedded annular section disposed between the abrasive layer and backing member, and (iii) wherein the radial extent of the embedded annular section is greater than the radial extent of the exposed annular section.

20. The abrasive member according to claim 19, wherein the reinforcing member is positioned to surround a center of mass of the abrasive member.

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0054] In the following, exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of invention are described in detail with reference to the enclosed figures. It shows, in schematic cross-sectional views:

[0055] FIG. 1 a top plan view of an abrasive member according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 2 a cross section of the abrasive member according to the first embodiment of the invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 3 an abrasive member according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 4 an abrasive member according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0059] FIG. 5 an abrasive member according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0060] Like or corresponding parts are indicated in all figures with like reference numerals.

[0061] It is understood that schematic illustration of the various embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0062] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a first abrasive member 10a that is configured as an annular abrasive disc 17a cutting disc having rotational symmetric layout with respect to an axis A. The axis A extends through the center of a central opening 14 in an annular disc-shaped body 18 of the abrasive member 10a that can define a mounting hub 19 for removable mounting to a rotary power tool (not shown), such as a grinder, e.g., angle grinder, rotary drill, or the like, which rotates the disc-shaped body 18 during abrasive material removal, such as during abrasive cutting. The abrasive member 10a configured as an abrasive disc 17a that is the cutting disc is rotated around the axis A to perform a cutting operation. A direction perpendicular to the axis A is generally referred to as a radial direction.

[0063] As best shown in FIG. 2, the abrasive member 10a has a multilayer structure including, in sequence from one or a lower planar surface 20 on one side 21 to another or an upper planar surface 22 on an opposite side 23 of the generally disc-shaped abrasive member 10a, layers defined by a first backing member 15 made from a sheet of a glass fiber fabric, such as a sheet of fiberglass material, an abrasive layer 12 made from cured abrasive resin compound, a ring-shaped reinforcing member 13, like a disc-shaped central hub reinforcement insert 24, in the form of a central hub region reinforcing annular washer-shaped metal ring 25 having a stiffness stiffer than the abrasive layer 12 which is made from a metal or an alloy, a second backing member 16 made from a sheet of a glass fiber fabric, such as a sheet of fiberglass material, and a label 11 containing visually perceptible indicia. The first backing member 15, abrasive layer 12, and second backing member 16 form an annular abrasive disc body 26 in which the reinforcing member 13 is embedded. The reinforcing member 13 is sandwiched between the abrasive layer 12 and the second backing member 16. Examples of suitable curable resin compounds well suited for use in forming or making abrasive layer 12 include phenolic resins, e.g. heat-cured phenolic resins, imide or amide resins, like polyamide resins, and other types of known curable abrasive bonding agents.

[0064] The abrasive disc 17a that is the cutting disc of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 exhibits only a single abrasive layer 12. A radial inner portion of the abrasive layer 12 is disposed between the reinforcing member 13 and the first backing member 15. A radial outer portion of the abrasive member 12 is disposed between the first and second backing members 15, 16. There is no abrasive material disposed between the reinforcing member 13 and the second backing member 16.

[0065] The abrasive layer 12 is made from a cured abrasive resin compound. The abrasive layer 12 is firmly bonded to the reinforcing member 13, the first backing member 15 and the second backing member 16 by means of a substance-to-substance bond, a resin bond, established during curing of the abrasive resin compound and the resin-impregnated backing members 13, 15. The label 11 may be glued to the upper planar surface of the second backing member 16.

[0066] The reinforcing member 13 is physically engaged with the backing member 16 against which one side 28 or surface 29 contacts or abuts such that the reinforcing member 13 is attached via a mechanically connection with a side 30 or surface 31 of the backing member 16 facing the reinforcing member 13. The reinforcing member 13 can be formed with a plurality of axially extending spaced apart surface protrusions 32, such as the burrs shown in FIG. 1, upraised from the side 28 or surface 29 facing the backing member 16 that penetrate, become engaged, become interlocked with and/or become embedded in the backing member 16 strengthening the physical engagement and surface area of mechanical connection between the reinforcing member 13 and the backing member 16 to which the reinforcing member 13 is immovably fixed. If desired, the reinforcing member 13 can be pressed against or into the side 30 or surface 31 of the backing member 16 facing the mechanical connection strength increasing projections 32 with sufficient force to embed or depress at least part of the side 28 or surface 29 of the reinforcing member 16 into the side 30 or surface 31 of the backing member 13 such that an outer peripheral edge 34 of the reinforcing member 13 physically stops against an upraised abutment 36 formed by the depression in the backing member 16. The resultant physical connection between the reinforcing member 13 and the backing member 16 thereby advantageously provides axial engagement and support therebetween along the axially opposed contacting sides or surfaces of the reinforcing member 13 and the backing member 16 and radial engagement and support therebetween along the radially opposed contacting edge 33 of reinforcing member 13 and the abutment 34 of backing member 16 more strongly anchoring the reinforcing member 13 to the backing member 16. If desired, the physical engagement and mechanical connection between the reinforcing member 13 and backing member 16 can be supplemented using an adhesive bonding agent, such as provided by a curable resin compound, or another type of adhesive bonding agent, such as an epoxy resin, a water-soluble resin, an alcohol soluble resin, a urethane resin, or another type of bonding agent. The opposite side or surface 33 of the reinforcing member 13 faces in an opposite direction and is completely encased or submerged within the abrasive resin compound or bonding agent of the abrasive layer 12 thereby securely bonding the abrasive layer 12 to the reinforcing member 13 when the abrasive resin compound of the abrasive layer cures.

[0067] The reinforcing member 13 can also have an upraised axially extending projection 35, in the form of a flange or lip, like that shown in FIG. 2, which extends about the entire inner peripheral edge 33 of the reinforcing member 13 disposed in communication with the central opening 14 in the disc body 26 which can be configured, such as three-dimensionally shaped or formed, to facilitate removable attachment with a rotating machine or rotary power tool like an angle grinder, rotary drill, or the like. Where equipped with such an axially extending circumferential projection 35 like such a flange or lip, it can extend radially inwardly into the central opening 14 in the disc body 26 or can be flush with the inner peripheral edge of the disc body 26 defining the central opening 14.

[0068] The reinforcing member 13 provides mechanical stability by reinforcing the disc body 26 about a circumferential hub reinforcement region 27 as shown in FIG. 1 extending radially outwardly from and around the entire circumference of the central opening 14. The abrasive member 10a may be firmly mounted to a rotary shaft or spindle of a rotating machine like a rotary power tool, such as a grinder, e.g., angle grinder, or a drill, in particular by means of a coupling arrangement, e.g., a flange and locking nut assembly, a chuck, or clamps that releasably engage or couple with the abrasive member 10a in the circumferential hub reinforcement region 27 surrounding the central opening 14 that is reinforced by the reinforcing insert 13. The reinforcing member 13 is immovably fixed or grounded to the disc body for rotation in unison therewith when the reinforcing member 13 is releasably mounted, coupled or otherwise attached to the rotating machine, e.g., rotary power tool, by being releasably coupled to the rotary shaft or spindle enabling the abrasive member 10a to withstand a greater amount of torque or force during contact between the rotating abrasive member 10a during abrasive material removal such as during abrasive cutting. As a result of the reinforcing member 13 being embedded generally in the middle of the disc body 26 axially about halfway between the outer surface of the disc body 26, the abrasive member 10a is better balanced during rotation advantageously leading to smoother abrasive material removal operation resulting in less vibration being transmitted to a human operator of the rotating machine, e.g., rotary power tool, during abrasive material removal. Such a construction also produces an abrasive member 10a that is a rotary abrasive disc 17a that advantageously is more economical as it requires less material to make, is better balanced and dampens vibration, has better side loading characteristics, and which enables a thinner disc 17a to be produced that enables more precise abrasive material removal especially when the disc 17a is a cutting disc used for abrasive cutting.

[0069] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the abrasive member 10 has a reinforcing insert 13 that has a smaller inner diameter than the backing members 15, 15 and the abrasive layer 12. The reinforcing insert 14 thus project in a central portion of the abrasive member 10 in the central opening 14 to define a section of reduced diameter.

[0070] The third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the second embodiment of FIG. 4. Both the first and the second backing member 15, 16 carry a label 11.

[0071] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the abrasive member 10. The abrasive member 10 of the fourth embodiment 10 includes only a single backing member 15. An additional label 11 is directly disposed on the abrasive layer 12.

[0072] The abrasive member 10 depicted in FIGS. 2 to 5 is preferably manufactured according to the following method:

[0073] A curable abrasive resin compound is provided. The curable abrasive resin compound is a multicomponent mixture including at least an abrasive and a curable resin, in particular a phenolic resin. The multicomponent mixture is preferably mixed until a mixture is substantially homogenous.

[0074] A mold is provided.

[0075] In some cases, in particular when manufacturing an abrasive member 10 having two labels (see for example FIG. 4 or 5), one label 11 is first inserted in the mold.

[0076] The first backing member 15 is inserted into the mold. The curable abrasive resin compound is introduced into the mold. In case of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 5), the layer of abrasive resin compound is directly disposed on the lower label 11.

[0077] The curable abrasive resin compound forms a layer that substantially covers the first backing member 15 (see for example FIGS. 2 to 4) or the lower label 11 (see for example FIG. 5).

[0078] The reinforced member 13 is positioned on top of the layer of curable abrasive resin compound. The second backing member 16 is then positioned on top of the reinforcing insert 13 and the layer of curable abrasive resin compound such that the reinforcing insert 13 is covered by an inner radial portion of the second backing member 16 and an outer radial portion of the layer of curable abrasive resin compound is covered by an outer radial portion of the second backing member 16. An axial pressure in a direction of the axis A is applied to the components arranged in the mold. The curable abrasive resin compound is cured by exposition to heat in an oven. During curing, the abrasive layer 12 is formed from cured abrasive resin compound. A substance-to-substance bond between the reinforcing insert and the first and second backing members 15, 16 on the one side and the abrasive layer 12 on the other side is also established by curing the curable abrasive resin compound. After curing, the method of manufacturing is substantially finished.