Saint-Gobain Abrasives Technology Company

Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.

Bruce E Vigeant

Eric Bright

Karen M Conley

Anne M Bonner

Edward L Lambert

Janet L Hammarstrom

KarenM Conley

JanetL Hammarstrom

Organic bonded abrasive tools, having controlled microstructures, comprise a relatively low volume percentage of abrasive grain and a relatively low hardness grade, but are characterized by the excellent mechanical strength and efficient grinding performance of much harder grade, lower porosity tools, especially in versatile grinding processes, such as centerless grinding. A method for centerless grinding with these tools is provided. Methods for making the abrasive tools utilizing agglomerated abrasive grain are described.

Method of centerless grinding

Abrasive grinding wheels having an irregular (i.e., gapped) perimeter shape and/or holes extending therethrough permit one to view the surface of a workpiece being ground in conventional surface finishing, snagging and/or weld blending operations. The grinding wheels may each include one or more gaps disposed in spaced relation about the otherwise circular perimeter of the wheel. Holes also may be provided in addition to, or in lieu of, the gaps, and similarly spaced equidistantly about the wheel. The gaps and/or holes may be configured in many diverse shapes. Gap and hole positions may be selected so as to retain the balance of the wheel. Advantageously, when the wheels are rotated about their axes, one is able to monitor the condition of the surface of the workpiece as it is being abraded, without removing the grinding wheel from the surface.

Abrasive wheels with workpiece vision feature

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Oxford, MA, United States of America

Bruce E Vigeant