Automated random orbital abrading method
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorDavid J. Lanzer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an automated random, orbital abrading apparatus and a method for positioning the back-up pad of the apparatus at a known location within its range of motion at the end of an abrading cycle.
Claims6
A method for positioning the back-up pad at a known location within its range of motion, the method for use with an automated random orbital sanding apparatus having an abrading head and a back-up pad attached to the abrading head and adapted for random orbital movement through a range of motion with respect to the abrading head, the back-up pad releasably carrying an abrasive disc on a major surface thereof, the abrasive disc having an abrasive face and a back face, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a positioning member with at least one of the abrasive disc and the back-up pad;
- and
- (b) inducing relative motion between the abrading head and the positioning member while maintaining contact between the positioning member and the at least one of the abrasive disc and the back-up pad to urge the back-up pad to a known location within its range of motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.