Grinding Means

Abstract

A grinding mechanism, in particular a grinding disc, for grinding a workpiece is disclosed. The grinding disc includes (i) a flexible support element, (ii) a plurality of grinding elements for grinding a workpiece, and (iii) a base binder element for arranging the grinding elements on the support element, in particular on a grinding side of the support element. The support element has a grinding region and, adjoining the grinding region, a free region which is in particular free from the, in particular each, base binder element. The grinding mechanism has an edge region which delimits an, in particular maximum, extension of the grinding mechanism and is free from a base binder element.

Claims

1. A grinding mechanism for grinding a workpiece, comprising: a flexible support element, a plurality of grinding elements configured to grind a workpiece, a base binder element configured to arrange the grinding elements on a grinding side of the support element, wherein the support element has a grinding region and, adjoining the grinding region, a free region which is free from the base binder element, and an edge region which delimits an extension of the grinding mechanism means and is free from the base binder element.

2. The grinding means mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a cover binder element covering the grinding region and the free region, wherein the edge region is free from the cover binder element.

3. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the edge region is delimited by the grinding region.

4. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the edge region is delimited by the free region.

5. The grinding mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the edge region is, on one hand, delimited by the maximum extent of the grinding mechanism and, on the other hand, by a distance of less than 5 mmm, from the maximum extension of the grinding mechanism.

6. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an opening, configured to enable grinding dust to be extracted therethrough, wherein the edge region is free from the opening and/or is delimited by it.

7. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the opening and the grinding region delimit the free region.

8. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the grinding region is formed by a base binder element delimiting the grinding region.

9. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the grinding region is formed from a plurality of spaced apart base binder elements.

10. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the free region is substantially delimited by a plurality of base binder elements.

11. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, by further comprising an information element, in formed as an information coating, arranged on the support element.

12. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the grinding region forms an information pattern.

13. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the grinding mechanism is a grinding disc.

14. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the edge region delimits a maximum extension of the grinding mechanism and is free from the base binder element.

15. The grinding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the edge region is, on one hand, delimited by the maximum extent of the grinding mechanism and, on the other hand, by a distance of less than 1 mm from the maximum extension of the grinding mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Further advantages follow from the description of the drawings hereinafter. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will appropriately also consider the features individually and combine them into additional advantageous combinations. Shown are:

[0067] FIG. 1 a view and a section of a grinding disc according to the invention,

[0068] FIG. 2 a view of a further embodiment of the grinding disc,

[0069] FIG. 3 a magnified view of the grinding disc of FIG. 2,

[0070] FIG. 4 a magnified view of a grinding disc without a cover binder element,

[0071] FIG. 5 further views of the grinding disc; and

[0072] FIG. 6 further views of the grinding disc.

[0073] In the following drawings, identical components are provided with identical reference signs.

[0074] The figures each refer to a grinding means 11 configured as a grinding disc 11 for grinding workpieces. The grinding disc 11 according to the invention is universally usable and is particularly suitable for processing workpieces made of metal, rock, wood, plastic or a composite.

[0075] The grinding disc 11 is provided for releasably receiving rotationally driven commercially available machine tools. The grinding disc 11 can be received on a workpiece to be processed with a rotational and/or translational movement in a receiving device of a machine tool, preferably a hand-held machine tool, which is already known to a person skilled in the art and configured to receive the grinding disc 11. In particular, a translational feed is introduced into the tool in which the operator of the machine tool applies a force to the machine tool, in particular a machine tool housing.

[0076] The grinding disc 11 is provided for releasably receiving rotationally driven commercially available machine tools. The grinding disc 11 can be received in a receiving device of a machine tool already known to a person skilled in the art and configured to receive the grinding disc 11. However, the grinding disc 11 is detachably connected to the machine tool, in particular to a grinding plate or a support plate of the machine tool, by means of a material connection, such as an adhesive material connection, and/or by means of a hook-and-loop connection.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a grinding means 11 configured as a grinding disc 11 for grinding a workpiece with a flexible support element 13, with a plurality of grinding elements 15 for grinding a workpiece, and having a base binder element 17 for arranging the grinding elements 15 on a grinding side 31 of the support element 13.

[0078] The support element 13 comprises a grinding region 21 and, adjoining the grinding region 21, a free region 23. The free region 23 is free from one or the, in particular each, base binder element 17. The grinding region 21 forms an information pattern 27.

[0079] The grinding disc 11 is disc-shaped and extends circumferentially around an axis of rotation and has a diameter of up to 150 mm. The grinding disc 11 has a thickness of up to 5 mm or even less.

[0080] To be flexible, the grinding disc 11 is made of a pliable material.

[0081] The support element 13 is configured as a carrier layer and comprises a grinding side 31 and a retaining side 33 facing away from the grinding side 31. The grinding side 31 has a plurality of grinding elements 15, which are arranged indirectly on the support element 13 and connected to the support element 13 by means of a base binder element 17. The support element 13 may be formed from a paper, a film, a fabric, a fiber, etc., or from a combination. The grinding elements 15 form a grinding means layer having a predetermined grain.

[0082] The retaining side 33 comprises a fastening means not shown in detail, which is provided for arranging the grinding means 11 on a grinding plate of a machine tool. The fastening means may comprise a mechanical connecting element, for example a hook and loop fastener element, a screw fastener element or a clamp locking element. The fastening means may comprise an adhesive connecting element, such as an adhesive locking element.

[0083] The grinding element 15 or cutting grain may be formed as a broken or a shaped cutting grain.

[0084] The base binder elements 17 extend in sections dot-by-dot over the support element 13 and are formed as more discrete dots. The base binder elements 17 surround the grinding elements 15 to retain them to the support element 13 in a material, force, and/or form fit manner.

[0085] The base binder elements 17 are arranged on the support element 13 and are scattered with grinding elements 15 by means of a conventional electrostatic scattering system. The grinding elements 15 adhere to the regions coated with the base binder element 17. The excess grinding elements 15, which do not adhere to the base binder element 17, are removed from the support element 13 by means of a conveyor device, such as an exhaust device or a vibration of the grinding means 11.

[0086] The information pattern 27 provides information by means of a partially or fully formed pattern. The information pattern 27 is described as a number (FIG. 5 above) or as an image or logo (FIG. 5 below). The information pattern 27 may have an information contour forming information. The information pattern 27 is formed from a plurality of information elements 51 associated with each other, for example two numbers (FIG. 5 above), and forms the information pattern 27 in a synopsis of the information elements 51, which form a composite information pattern 27. The information elements 51 are spaced apart from one another. The information elements 51 may form an outline that allows the operator of the grinding means 11 to infer information. The information pattern 27 is formed by a contour of the grinding region 21 (FIG. 5 below).

[0087] The information pattern 27 depicts an average diameter of grinding elements 15 (grain) arranged on the grinding means 11.

[0088] The grinding region 21 is formed by a plurality of base binder elements 17 delimiting the grinding region 21. The base binder elements 17 delimit the grinding region 21. The grinding region 21 is formed from a plurality of base binder elements 17 spaced apart from one another. The base binder elements 17 are formed as dots and are configured in the form of base binder islands. The base binder elements 17 have an extension or diameter of less than 1 mm, for example 0.7 mm. The base binder elements 17 may be formed from a phenolic resin, urea resin, polyurethane resin, polyester resin, optionally also UV-curing, etc. The base binder elements 17 can be cured for specific materials or depending upon the base binder element 17 used. The base binder elements 17 in the grinding region 21 are arranged in close proximity to each other. The base binder elements 17 receive a plurality of grinding elements 15 and keep them bundled on the support element 13.

[0089] The grinding region 21 is surrounded by the free region 23 and the grinding region 21 surrounds the free region 23. The free region 23 is substantially delimited by a plurality of base binder elements 17 of the grinding region 21. The grinding region 21 and the free region 23 have different visual properties and form a contrast, which segment the regions. The contrast in turn forms the information pattern 27.

[0090] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the grinding regions and the free regions are zig-zag shaped or z-shaped.

[0091] The grinding disc 11 has an opening 37 configured as an exhaust opening 37 for the extraction of grinding dust. The opening 37 is arranged in the free region 23 and is spaced apart from the grinding region 21. The opening 37 extends through the support element 13 or through the entire grinding disc 11 and is configured as a breakthrough of the entire material thickness of the grinding disc 11. The opening 37 has a circular-round hole shape and has a diameter of up to 3 mm.

[0092] The opening 37 and the grinding region 21 delimit the free region 23. The opening 37 is completely surrounded by the free region 23 in a plane by 360. The opening 37 is delimited by the free region 23.

[0093] The opening 37 has an extension and the free region 23 has an extension, wherein each extension of the opening 37 is smaller than each extension of the free region 23.

[0094] The free region 23 comprises at least two openings 37.

[0095] FIG. 6 shows the grinding means 11 with an information element 51 configured as an information coating 28, which is arranged on the support element 13. The information element 51 is configured as an imprint. The information element 51 is provided or printed by means of a printing method, such as an ink jet printing method, a laser printing method, etc., on the grinding side 31 of the support element 13. The information element 51 is printed directly on the grinding side 31. The information element 51 is depicted as a color image.

[0096] The grinding means 11 has a cover binder element 39 covering the base binder element 17 and the grinding elements 15. The cover binder element 39 has an aqueous consistency and is received by means of a capillary effect between a plurality or a bundle of grinding elements 15. A plurality of grinding elements 15 forms cavities on a substantially dot-shaped base binder element 17 in which the cover binder element 39 is received by means of the capillary effect. The cavities between the grinding elements 15 receive the cover binder element 39. The cavities retract the cover binder element 39 between the grinding elements 15.

[0097] The grinding means 11 may comprise a further cover binder element 39, which covers the cover binder element 39. The cover binder element 39 may be provided as a function of a diameter of the grinding element 15. For example, if the grinding elements 15 are of fine size, a cover binder element 39 may be omitted. A fine or medium size of the grinding elements 15 may be achieved at less than 400, in particular less than 300. It is to be understood that a further cover binder element 39 may be provided. The cover binder element 39 or the further cover binder element 39 can be cured for specific materials or as a function of the cover binder element 39 or further cover binder element 39 used. The further cover binder element 39 may be formed from or consist of stearate, in particular a fatty acid. The further cover binder element 39 may be provided for a receptacle and/or for gluing grinding dust. The further cover binder element 39 may form a type of fat layer on the cover binder element 39. The fat layer may be provided as a separation layer, which is intended to avoid or at least reduce clogging or blocking of the grinding side 31 of the grinding means 11.

[0098] The cover binder element 39 is formed from a non-transparent material. The cover binder element 39 is formed from a non-transparent material that is formed so thinly on the grinding means 11 such that the cover binder element 39 is translucent. The cover binder element 39 is uncolored. The cover binder element 39 is at least 60% transparent.

[0099] The cover binder element 39 has a maximum layer thickness D at the free region 23 of less than 10 m. Preferably, the cover binder element 39 has this maximum layer thickness D between two base binder elements 17n adjacent to each other. The thinner a layer thickness of the cover binder element 39, the more flexible the grinding means 11. The cover binder element 39 may be translucent depending on a layer thickness of the cover binder element 39.

[0100] The, in particular each, base binder element 17 has a maximum diameter of less than 1 mm. The base binder elements 17 are spaced apart from one another and formed on the information coating 28. The base binder elements 17 are applied to the information coating 28.

[0101] The information coating 28 may be arranged on the support element 13, in particular on the grinding side 31 of the support element 13 by means of a conventional printing method, in particular an ink jet printing or a laser printing method. Accordingly, the information coating 28 may be colored.

[0102] Further aspects of the invention relate to the following methods.

[0103] A method, in particular for manufacturing a grinding means 11, comprising the steps of: [0104] providing a, in particular flexible, support element 13 having a grinding side 31, [0105] providing a plurality of grinding elements 15 on the grinding side 31 for grinding a workpiece, [0106] providing a plurality of base binder elements 17 on the support element 13, in particular for connecting a single number or a plurality of grinding elements 15 to the support element 13, [0107] characterized by an [0108] arrangement of an information element 51 on the support element 13, in particular for providing information, [0109] arrangement of a, in particular transparent, cover binder made of a non-transparent material, in particular for visualizing the information element 51s.

[0110] A method, in particular for manufacturing a grinding means 11, comprising the steps of: [0111] providing a, in particular flexible, support element 13 having a, [0112] providing a grinding region 21 with a plurality of grinding elements 15 on the grinding side 31 of the support element 13, in particular to grind a workpiece, [0113] providing a free region 23, in particular delimited by the grinding region 21, in particular for an arrangement of openings 37, [0114] detecting the free region 23, in particular by means of a detection unit, [0115] arrangement of an opening 37 at the free region 23 as a function of the detected free region 23, in particular by means of an insertion unit.

[0116] The insertion unit is configured as a laser cutting unit. An orientation of the insertion unit is provided as a function of a detection of a position of the free region 23. An arrangement of the grinding elements 15 on a grinding side 31 of the support element 13 is provided with a dot-shaped or a flat base binder element 17. A detection of an extension of the free region 23 may be detected by the detection unit. To optimally position the openings 37, a computing unit detects each extension of the free region 23 and adjusts each extension of the opening 37 to be introduced by means of the computing unit, whereby the opening 37 can be optimally positioned.

[0117] An arrangement of the opening 37 is provided by means of the insertion unit as a function of the adjustment, insofar as each extension of the free region 23 is the same or greater than each extension of the opening 37 to be introduced.

[0118] The grinding disc 11 has an edge region 41, which delimits the maximum diameter of the grinding disc 11 and is free from base binder elements 17 (FIG. 1, top). The edge region 41 extends circumferentially around a center point or a center axis of the grinding disc 11. The edge region 41 extends along the entire extension of the grinding disc 11 on the grinding side 31. The edge region 41 of the grinding disc 11 is exposed.

[0119] The grinding disc 11 comprises a cover binder element 39, which covers the grinding region 21 and the free region 23. The edge region 41 is free from the cover binder element 39.

[0120] The edge region 41 is delimited by the grinding region 21 and by the free region 23. Starting from a center point or a center axis of the grinding disc 11, the edge region 41 is delimited in the radial direction by the grinding region 21 on the one hand and by the free region 23 on the other hand.

[0121] The edge region 41 is delimited by a maximum diameter D1 of the grinding disc 11 and by a distance to the diameter of less than 3 mm. The edge region 41 is configured as an edge surface, which is formed by a diameter difference (D1D2) of less than 8 mm, for example 6 mm. The edge region 41 has a distance to the edge of the grinding means 11 substantially independent of the grinding disc 11 used, which is substantially equidistant for grinding discs 11 having a diameter of 80 mm, but also of 170 mm.

[0122] The grinding disc 11 has an opening 37 for the extraction of grinding dust. The edge region 41 is free from each opening 37. The edge region 41 is formed spaced apart from each opening 37.