Texture pattern for abrasive tool

A method for grinding a work piece with grinding wheel including abrasive surface layer located at an outer circumferential portion thereof, the abrasive surface layer defining a grinding surface with first and second axial ends, the abrasive surface layer including a first coating portion having a first coarseness defined by at least three rows of abrasive elements wherein the axial spacing between a first row and a second row and between the second row and a third row is a first predetermined distance located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the first axial end, a second coating portion having a second coarseness, different from the first coarseness, defined by at least three rows of abrasive elements wherein the axial spacing between a first row and a second row and between the second row and a third row is a second predetermined distance and located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the second axial end, and a transition coating portion disposed at an interface between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, the transition coating portion having a plurality of rows of abrasive elements wherein the rows are axially spaced from each other at distances such that the distance between a first row and a second row proximate to the first coating portion is greater than a distance between a third row and fourth row proximate to the second coating portion to provide textures that continuously vary from the coarseness of the first coating portion to the coarseness of the second coating portion, the method including the steps of

• arranging the grinding wheel and the work piece in spaced axial relation to each other,
• initiating rotating movement of the grinding wheel, and
• translating the grinding wheel in an axial direction to thereby initiate relative axial movement between the work piece and the grinding wheel such that the first coating portion contacts the work piece, the transition portion thereafter contacts the work piece, and the second coating portion finally contacts the work piece in a single pass.

An abrasive grinding tool including a tool base having a supporting surface and an abrasive surface layer located on the supporting surface, wherein the abrasive surface layer is generally cylindrical with first and second axial ends and rotatable about a central axis for removing material from a work-piece surface by contact therewith and by relative movement thereof along a working path parallel to and spaced from the abrasive tool axis, the abrasive tool comprising an outer circumferential portion having abrasive particles deposited thereon including:

• (a) a first coating portion having a plurality of abrasive elements arranged in rows of abrasive elements wherein the rows are axially spaced apart by a first predetermined distance to define a coarse grit pattern located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the first axial end,
• (b) a second coating portion having a plurality of abrasive elements arranged in rows of abrasive elements wherein the rows are axially spaced apart by a second predetermined distance, less than the first predetermined distance, to define a fine grit pattern located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the second axial end;
• and
• (c) a transition coating portion disposed at an interface between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, the transition coating portion including abrasive elements arranged in spaced-apart rows wherein the rows are arranged at continuously varying distances from each other dependent on their axial position relative to said first and second axial ends such that the distance between first and second adjacent rows of abrasive elements proximate to the first coating portion is greater than the distance between third and fourth adjacent rows of abrasive elements proximate to the second coating portion to provide textures that continuously vary from the coarse grit pattern of the first coating portion to the fine grit pattern of the second coating portion.

An abrasive grinding tool including a tool base having a supporting surface and an abrasive surface layer located on the supporting surface, wherein the abrasive surface layer is generally cylindrical with first and second axial ends and rotatable about a central axis for removing material from a work-piece surface in a two-step process by contact therewith and by relative movement thereof along a working path parallel to and spaced from the abrasive tool axis, the abrasive tool comprising an outer circumferential portion having abrasive particles deposited thereon including:

• (a) a first coating portion having a plurality of abrasive elements in rows axially spaced apart by a first predetermined distance to define a coarse grit pattern located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the first axial end disposed to remove material from the work-piece surface according to the coarse grit pattern as the work-piece moves relative to the abrasive surface layer,
• (b) a second coating portion having a plurality of abrasive elements in rows axially spaced apart by a second predetermined distance, less than the first predetermined distance, to define a fine grit pattern located on the abrasive surface layer proximate to the second axial end disposed to provide a finish to the work-piece surface according to the fine grit pattern as the work-piece moves downstream from the first coating portion;
• and
• (c) a transition coating portion disposed at an interface between said first coating portion and said second coating portion, the transition coating portion comprised of abrasive elements defining rows axially spaced apart by distances dependent on their axial position relative to said first and second axial ends, with said rows of abrasive elements proximate said first coating portion axially spaced apart by a first distance smaller than the spacing of said first grit pattern and the rows of abrasive elements proximate the second grit pattern axially spaced apart by a second distance larger than the second grit portion wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance to thereby avoid abrupt changes in abrasive element spacing as the work-piece traverses the abrasive surface layer.