Brush-like Grindstone

Abstract

A brush-like grindstone (1) has threadlike grinding elements (2) each being a thread that is a collection of long inorganic fibers and is impregnated with resin and solidified. To grind work (W), the grindstone (1) is moved relative to the work (W) with the forward ends of the threadlike grinding elements (2) pressed against the work (W). In order to prevent the grinding elements (2) from breaking, each threadlike grinding element (2) is curved from its base end to its forward end with high hardness of the grinding elements (2) maintained. Also, the grinding elements (2) are formed in an elliptic or oblong cross-sectional shape whose minor axis is aligned with the direction of the curve. Therefore, the grinding elements (2) have extremely high rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the curve but they easily deform in the direction of the curve. Consequently, the grinding elements (2) softly engages the work (W) at their forward ends and, when excessive force acts on the elements (2), the brush-like grindstone (1) does not break because the elements (2) deform to absorb the force.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a brush-like grindstone that is used for burr removal and grinding processes.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Precision parts that are used for automobile and aircraft components are manufactured with high precision and accuracy by automated equipment such as NC benches, NC cutters, machining centers, robots and specialized processing equipment that employ tools such as end mills, drills, dies and taps. In addition, the frames and other parts of electronics equipment are produced from die-cast parts formed from magnesium and aluminum. Grinding processes are carried out on these workpieces using gritted nylon brushes, brass brushes, wire brushes, and the like in order to remove processing marks, tool marks, burrs and the like. However, gritted nylon brushes, brass brushes, and wire brushes have low grit content and low hardness, and thus have inferior grinding capacity due to their inferior stiffness, and there have thus been problems with ine...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a brush-like grindstone whereby it is possible to prevent breakage of the linear grinding materials while also maintaining high hardness in the linear grinding materials that are produced by impregnating bundles of long inorganic fibers with a resin, which is then caused to harden.Solution to Problem

[0009]According to the brush-like grindstone of the present invention, a workpiece is ground by moving the grindstone relative to the workpiece in a state in which the distal ends of the linear grinding materials are pressed against the work. Because the linear grinding materials are produced by impregnating long inorganic fiber bundles with a resin, which is then caused to harden, the long inorganic fibers that substantially function as the grinding materials have high density, high hardness, and high rigidity. Consequently, the brush-like grindstone of the present invention has high grinding capacity. In addition, according to the present invention, the linear grinding materials are in a curved state, even when the brush-like grindstone is at rest, and thus readily deform in the direction of curvature. As a result, with the brush-like grindstone according to the present invention, the linear grinding materials impinge softly on the workpiece with their distal ends relative to brush-like grindstones in which the linear grinding materials extend perpendicularly. In addition, the linear grinding materials do not break because they deform to absorb excessive force when excessive force is applied.

[0016]In the present invention, it is preferable for the plurality of linear grinding materials to be held in the holder as a plurality of bundles. By adopting such a configuration, the advantage is presented that chips generated in the grinding process are efficiently discharged and heat dissipation efficiency is increased. In addition, a configuration is used in which the plurality of linear grinding materials are fixed in the holder in small groups; therefore, it is possible to prevent the linear grinding materials from being pulled out. As a result, the advantage is presented that the brush-like grindstone of the present invention is very safe.

[0018]In the present invention, it is preferable to provide the plurality of linear grinding materials with elliptical or oval cross sections in which the minor axis faces the direction of curvature. By utilizing this configuration, the materials deform when excessive force is applied to the linear grinding materials, and the excessive force is absorbed, thus preventing breakage.

[0019]In the present invention, it is preferable for a rotating drive shaft to extend from the holder in the axial direction. By utilizing this type of configuration, it is possible to drive the brush-like grindstone by simple linkage of the drive shaft to a drive device.

Problems solved by technology

However, gritted nylon brushes, brass brushes, and wire brushes have low grit content and low hardness, and thus have inferior grinding capacity due to their inferior stiffness, and there have thus been problems with inefficient grinding.

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