METHOD OF MAKING ABRASIVE ARTICLE

• US 20090023366A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Lohmeier, Gerhard, Le Normand, Jean, Lise, Jonathan M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,137,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 451/259
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 13/20 Mountings for the wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 18/0009 using moulds or presses
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14491 Injecting material between coaxial articles, e.g. between a core and an outside sleeve for making a roll
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14786 Fibrous material or fibre containing material, e.g. fibre mats or fibre reinforced material

Abstract

A method of making an abrasive article comprising an abrasive disc (1) of non-woven fibres having a central shaft (3) and a hub (2) securing the shaft (3) to the abrasive disc (1). The method comprising forming the hub (3) by injecting molten thermoplastic material into the abrasive disc (1) , and allowing the thermoplastic material to cool and solidify such that the shaft (3) is secured to the abrasive disc (1). The invention provides a simple, economical and effective method of securing a shaft to a disc.

Claims

1. A method of making an abrasive article comprising an abrasive disc formed of non-woven fibres, a shaft positioned at the centre of the abrasive disc and a hub securing an end of the shaft to the abrasive disc, the method comprising forming the hub by injecting molten thermoplastic material into the abrasive disc, and allowing the thermoplastic material to cool and solidify such that the shaft is secured to the abrasive disc.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the shaft is positioned at the centre of the abrasive disc prior to injection of the molten thermoplastic material.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the shaft is made of metal.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the end of the shaft secured to the hub is roughened or knurled.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the abrasive article comprises a plurality of discs mounted on said shaft.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the abrasive disc(s) is (are) provided with a central aperture to accommodate the end of the shaft.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the shaft is positioned such that the end extends partially or completely through the thickness of the abrasive disc(s).

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the thermoplastic material is selected from polyamides, polyolefines, and polyether ester elastomer block copolymers.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the thermoplastic material contains filler and/or reinforcing fibres.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the thermoplastic material is injected at a temperature in the range 200 to 280°

C.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the steps of providing a mould having first and second mould plates which together define a mould cavity dimensioned to accommodate the abrasive disc(s), the first mould plate having a bore formed therein to accommodate the shaft so that one end thereof projects into the mould cavity and at least one of said first and second mould plates having a channel for injection of molten thermoplastic material into the mould cavity.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 in which the second mould plate comprises the channel for injection of molten thermoplastic material positioned opposite the end of the shaft, the channel opening into a central recess in a moulding surface of the second plate positioned above the end of the shaft.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 in which the first plate comprises a recess in the moulding surface around the bore for accommodating the shaft.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the shaft is integrally formed with the hub by the thermoplastic material.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 comprising the steps of providing a mould having first and second mould plates which define a mould cavity dimensioned to accommodate the abrasive disc, the first plate having a bore formed therein defining the shaft, the bore being in communication with the centre of the mould cavity.

16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the abrasive disc comprises foam filling interstices between the non-woven fibres.

17. An abrasive article prepared by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.