Method for knurling a workpiece
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorTimothy L. Hoopman
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.
Claims15
A method of knurling a cylindrical surface of a workpiece, the workpiece having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) imparting a first plurality of helical grooves to a workpiece, wherein the first plurality of grooves has a first helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece;
- wherein the first plurality of grooves includes a first groove and a second groove, the second groove being of substantially different configuration from the first groove;
- and
- b) imparting a second plurality of helical grooves to the workpiece, wherein the second plurality of grooves has a second helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the second plurality of grooves intersecting the first plurality of grooves, thereby imparting a knurl pattern to the cylindrical surface of the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.