Peripheral Wheel Abrasive Ring Segmentation for Slab Edge Finishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current peripheral wheels for machining slab edges require multiple tools and passes to achieve high finishing quality, leading to increased time, cost, and limitations in machining complex profiles, as they leave noticeable machining lines and are not efficient in reducing these lines effectively.

Innovation Solution

A peripheral wheel with an abrasive ring composed of multiple portions with different abrasive capacities and particle sizes, arranged to simulate oscillatory motion through rotation, allowing for alternating abrasive surfaces to contact the edge, thereby reducing the need for multiple tools and passes while maintaining high finishing quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple tools with different particle sizes are used in sequence, then the finishing quality of the edge is improved, but the machining time and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinishing qualityVSAvoidmachining time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple abrasive surfaces with different particle sizes into a single peripheral wheel. The wheel includes a first abrasive surface with larger particles for cutting/roughing and a second abrasive surface with smaller particles for polishing/glazing, allowing both functions to be performed in one tool rather than requiring sequential tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral wheel is divided into distinct abrasive zones with different characteristics. The wheel body includes segmented abrasive surfaces that can be selectively engaged with the workpiece edge, allowing different particle sizes to be applied in sequence without changing tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple tools with different particle sizes are used in sequence, then the finishing quality of the edge is improved, but the equipment investment and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinishing qualityVSAvoidnumber of tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple abrasive surfaces with different particle sizes into a single peripheral wheel. The wheel includes a first abrasive surface with larger particles for cutting/roughing and a second abrasive surface with smaller particles for polishing/glazing, allowing both functions to be performed in one tool rather than requiring sequential tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral wheel is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform cutting, roughing, lapping, polishing, and glazing operations. The wheel body includes multiple abrasive surfaces that can be selectively engaged with the workpiece edge, allowing a single tool to replace multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If traditional peripheral wheels machine the edge, then the machining process is simple, but noticeable machining lines remain on the edge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining process simplicityVSAvoidedge quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous abrasive action by providing overlapping abrasive zones on the peripheral wheel. The first and second abrasive surfaces are positioned such that both are engaged with the workpiece edge simultaneously or in continuous sequence, eliminating idle periods and ensuring continuous material removal and finishing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral wheel incorporates multiple abrasive surfaces that can be dynamically engaged or disengaged from the workpiece edge. The wheel body allows selective engagement of different abrasive zones, enabling dynamic adjustment of the machining action to optimize both simplicity and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution significantly reduces machining lines and improves edge quality faster than traditional methods, enabling efficient machining of complex profiles with fewer tools and passes, while maintaining performance and longevity comparable to standard wheels.

Implementation Method 1

an external abrasive ring (12), which is adapted to work in contact with an edge of a slab

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a wheel body (11), to be fixed to a spindle or other machine, wherein the wheel body is provided with holes (20) for the passage of water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2760640B1Peripheral wheel for machining the edges of slabs
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 PRIVITERA DOMENICO
  • EP2760640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2760640B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2760640B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A peripheral wheel ( 10) for machining the edges of slabs, comprising an internal wheel body (1 1), to be fixed to a spindle or other machine, and an external abrasive ring (12), which is adapted to work in contact with an edge of a slab. The abrasive ring (12) is composed of at least two portions (13, 14) that have respective abrasive surfaces (15, 16) having different abrasive capacities - one polishing with respect to the other; the portions of abrasive ring (13, 14) are juxtaposed with respect to each other with surfaces (17, 18) that extend at least partly transversely with respect to the axis of rotation (X) of the peripheral wheel (10).