Abstract: The present invention provides a grooving tool for machining the surface of a polymeric foam article, such as a chemical mechanical (CMP) polishing pad, the grooving tool comprising a flat bed platen on which the article sits, a grooving tool frame having a front face positioned parallel to and facing the flat surface of the polymeric foam article on which front face is contained one or more cutting tool teeth arranged in a predetermined direction and with a constant pitch. Each cutting tool tooth has a non-cutting shoulder where it joins the grooving tool frame (i) a groove cutting face that forms a rake angle ranging from 2° to 80°, (ii) a chip ejection face located on the top of the tooth between the non-cutting shoulder and the groove cutting face and (iv) a shouldering radius transitioning from the cutting tool tooth to the non-cutting shoulder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a grooving tool for machining the surface of a polymeric foam article, such as a chemical mechanical (CMP) polishing pad, the grooving tool comprising a flat bed platen on which the article sits, a grooving tool frame having a front face positioned parallel to and facing the flat surface of the polymeric foam article on which front face is contained one or more cutting tool teeth arranged in a predetermined direction and with a constant pitch. Each cutting tool tooth has a non-cutting shoulder where it joins the grooving tool frame (i) a groove cutting face that forms a rake angle ranging from 2° to 80°, (ii) a chip ejection face located on the top of the tooth between the non-cutting shoulder and the groove cutting face and (iv) a shouldering radius transitioning from the cutting tool tooth to the non-cutting shoulder.