Magnetizable Abrasive Wheel Particle Orientation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bonded abrasive wheels do not achieve optimal abrading performance due to suboptimal orientation of abrasive particles, which affects cutting efficiency and particle fracture mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetizable abrasive particles aligned by a magnetic field during the manufacturing process of bonded abrasive wheels, where a majority of these particles are oriented substantially parallel to the rotational axis, enhancing their alignment and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If abrasive particles are randomly oriented in bonded abrasive wheels, then manufacturing is simpler, but abrading performance and cutting efficiency are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasive particle orientationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a magnetic field during the manufacturing process to pre-align magnetizable abrasive particles before the binder fully sets. This preliminary action of orienting particles during fabrication achieves the desired orientation without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments, thus improving particle alignment while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical mixing and random distribution methods with a magnetic field application system. By using magnetic fields to align magnetizable abrasive particles, the invention substitutes a physical/mechanical orientation approach with a field-based method, achieving precise particle orientation without complex mechanical manipulation equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If abrasive particles are optimally oriented for abrading performance, then cutting efficiency improves, but manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic properties parameter of abrasive particles by selecting magnetizable materials (such as ferritic stainless steel or coated particles). This parameter change enables the particles to respond to magnetic fields during manufacturing, achieving optimal orientation for cutting efficiency while using a relatively simple magnetic field application process rather than complex mechanical orientation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If magnetizable abrasive particles are aligned by magnetic field, then abrading performance is significantly improved, but manufacturing requires additional equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrading performance consistencyVSAvoidmanufacturing equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary mechanism to align abrasive particles. Rather than directly mechanically manipulating each particle, the magnetic field serves as an intermediary that naturally orients magnetizable particles during the manufacturing process. This intermediary approach achieves consistent particle alignment and reliable abrading performance while avoiding the need for complex direct particle manipulation equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This alignment significantly improves abrading performance by optimizing the presentation of abrasive particles during use, leading to enhanced cutting efficiency and particle fracture mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

applying a magnetic field to the curable composition such that a majority of the magnetizable abrasive particles are substantially parallel to the rotational axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field alignment: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3532248B1Bonded abrasive wheel and method of making the same
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3532248B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3532248B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3532248B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A bonded abrasive wheel comprises magnetizable abrasive particles retained in a first organic binder. The bonded abrasive wheel has a central portion adjacent to a central hub, an outer circumference, and a rotational axis extending through the central hub. A majority of the magnetizable abrasive particles are substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A method of making the bonded abrasive wheel is also disclosed.