Method of making abrasive article

• US 8,137,423 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• 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: Lise, Jonathan M., Le Normand, Jean, Lohmeier, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorengo, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOOD, JARED M
• Application Number:
  US11/573,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,437 Days
• Field of Search: 451/259, 264/257, 512/98
• US Class Current: 51/298
• 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 metal shaft positioned at the centre of the abrasive disc and a hub securing an end of the metal shaft to the abrasive disc, the method 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, the second mould plate having a bore formed therein to accommodate the metal shaft so that one end thereof projects into the mould cavity and a recess in the moulding surface of the second mould plate around the bore and the first mould plate having a channel for injection of molten thermoplastic material into the mould cavity, the channel positioned opposite the end of the metal shaft and the channel opening into a central recess in a moulding surface of the first mould plate positioned above the end of the metal shaft;

placing the metal shaft into the bore;

placing the abrasive article into the mould cavity;

closing the mould;

forming the hub by injecting molten thermoplastic material into the abrasive disc through the channel; and

allowing the thermoplastic material to cool and solidify such that the metal shaft is bonded to the hub and the hub is anchored to the abrasive disc.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the end of the metal shaft secured to the hub is roughened or knurled.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the abrasive article comprises a plurality of discs mounted on said shaft.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the abrasive disc is provided with a central aperture to accommodate the end of the shaft.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the metal shaft is positioned such that the end extends partially or completely through the thickness of the abrasive disc.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the thermoplastic material is selected from polyamides, polyolefines, and polyether ester elastomer block copolymers.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the thermoplastic material contains filler and/or reinforcing fibres.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the thermoplastic material is injected at a temperature in the range 200 to 280°

C.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the thermoplastic material contracts slightly when cooled.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the abrasive disc comprises thermoplastic material filling interstices between the non-woven fibres.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the abrasive disc is compressed in the mould cavity when the mould is closed.