Abstract: A sanding system is presented that includes a tool with a motor which, when actuated, drives movement of a drive shaft. The system also includes a backup pad coupled to the drive shaft. The backup pad is configured to receive an abrasive article. Movement of the drive shaft causes movement of the abrasive article. The system also includes a compliant damping unit configured to provide variable compliance for the tool when the abrasive article contacting a worksurface. The system also includes an electronic controller that receives a system operating condition and sends a signal to the compliant damping unit based on the system operating condition.

Abstract: A method for repositioning an abrasive disc within a repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly is presented. The method includes mounting the abrasive disc to a repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly in a first position. The mounting disc assembly includes the abrasive disc coupled to the back-up pad assembly such that the abrasive disc is in contact with a pressure feature of the back-up pad assembly, a drive shaft of a grinding tool, and a fastener that maintains the position of the abrasive disc and the back-up pad coupled to the drive shaft. The method also includes conducting an abrasive operation by activating the grinding tool. The method also includes re-positioning the abrasive disc, with respect to the repositionable abrasive disc mounting assembly, in a second position. The first position includes the abrasive disc in a first position relative to the pressure feature. The second position includes the abrasive disc in a second position relative to the pressure feature assembly.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing having an outer circumference. An abrasive layer is disposed on the disc backing. The abrasive layer comprises triangular abrasive platelets secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The triangular abrasive platelets are outwardly disposed at regularly-spaced points along a spiral pattern extending outwardly toward the outer circumference. Each triangular abrasive platelet has respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of at least 90 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing, and at least 70 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed in a recurring sequential orientation having an oscillating Z-axis rotational orientation of the first respective sidewall relative to the tangents to the spiral pattern at regularly-spaced points.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal and vertical lines of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has two triangular abrasive platelets, each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing. A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines. A second portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating second rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the horizontal lines.

Abstract: An assembly for attachment of an accessory to a random-orbital sander is disclosed comprising a drive spindle, a support plate, one or more drive members located on and protruding from either of both of the drive spindle and/or the support plate, and one or more drive sockets corresponding to the one or more drive members. The one or more drive sockets are located on either or both of the drive spindle and/or the support plate. An attachment member adapted to protrude through an attachment aperture to fix the support plate and drive spindle against axial movement. One or more of the drive members seats within a corresponding drive socket to fix the drive spindle and support plate against relative rotational movement. One or more tuning members are positioned between the drive spindle and the support plate to space the support plate from the drive spindle a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A coated abrasive belt (100) includes a belt backing (110) and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements (160) secured to at least a portion of a major surface of the belt backing (110) by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal (192) and vertical lines (194) of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has at least two triangular abrasive platelets (130), each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the belt backing A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows (16) wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines (194).

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing having an outer circumference. An abrasive layer is disposed on the disc backing. The abrasive layer comprises triangular abrasive platelets secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The triangular abrasive platelets are disposed at least 70 percent of regularly-spaced points along an arithmetic spiral pattern extending outwardly toward the outer circumference. Each one of the triangular abrasive platelets has respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of at least 90 percent of each of the triangular abrasive platelets disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing, and is lengthwise aligned within 10 degrees of being tangent to the arithmetic spiral pattern. Methods of making and using the coated abrasive disc are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing and an abrasive layer disposed thereon. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive elements secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The abrasive elements are disposed at contiguous intersections of horizontal and vertical lines of a rectangular grid pattern. Each abrasive element has two triangular abrasive platelets, each having respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing. A first portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating first rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the vertical lines. A second portion of the abrasive elements is arranged in alternating second rows wherein the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed lengthwise aligned with the horizontal lines.

Abstract: A coated abrasive disc includes a disc backing having an outer circumference. An abrasive layer is disposed on the disc backing. The abrasive layer comprises triangular abrasive platelets secured to a major surface of the disc backing by at least one binder material. The triangular abrasive platelets are outwardly disposed at regularly-spaced points along a spiral pattern extending outwardly toward the outer circumference. Each triangular abrasive platelet has respective top and bottom surfaces connected to each other, and separated by, three sidewalls. On a respective basis, one sidewall of at least 90 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets is disposed facing and proximate to the disc backing, and at least 70 percent of the triangular abrasive platelets are disposed in a recurring sequential orientation having an oscillating Z-axis rotational orientation of the first respective sidewall relative to the tangents to the spiral pattern at regularly-spaced points.

Abstract: A plurality of magnets is provided in an illumination prism carrier of a transmitted light refractometer and a corresponding plurality of magnets is provided in a sample prism housing of the refractometer to align a light exit surface of the illumination prism relative to a sample surface of the sample prism and urge the optical surfaces together in an even and uniform manner. The magnets replace mechanical biasing arrangements for positioning the optical surfaces and function to consistently reproduce a measurement optical path in the instrument for improved accuracy and repeatability of measurements.