U.S. patent application number 16/642142 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-12 for a backing pad arrangement for an abrading system, and the abrading system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mirka Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is Mirka Ltd. Invention is credited to Simon Back, Stig Finnas.
Application Number | 20200353593 16/642142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005001330 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200353593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Finnas; Stig ; et
al. |
November 12, 2020 |
A backing pad arrangement for an abrading system, and the abrading
system
Abstract
The application relates to a backing pad arrangement suitable
for an abrading system. The backing pad arrangement comprises a
backing pad (413, 513, 523), and an additional layer (418, 518,
528) or an abrading article (417, 527) adapted to be attached to
the backing pad (413, 513, 523) with at least one fixing member
(319, 419, 519, 529), which at least one fixing member (319, 419,
519, 529) is hollow in its longitudinal direction. The application
further relates to the abrading system comprising the backing pad
arrangement according to the application.
Inventors: |
Finnas; Stig; (Sundby,
FI) ; Back; Simon; (Vora, FI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mirka Ltd |
Jepua |
|
FI |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mirka Ltd
Jepua
FI
|
Family ID: |
1000005001330 |
Appl. No.: |
16/642142 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
August 30, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2018/050614 |
371 Date: |
February 26, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 55/102 20130101;
B24D 9/085 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24D 9/08 20060101
B24D009/08; B24B 55/10 20060101 B24B055/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2017 |
FI |
20175800 |
Claims
1. A backing pad arrangement for an abrading system, the backing
pad arrangement comprising a backing pad, wherein a lower surface
of the backing pad comprises at least one opening, wherein the at
least one opening is adapted to receive a fixing member, and the
backing pad arrangement further comprises: an additional layer
adapted to be attached to the backing pad, which additional layer
comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and at least one
opening which extends through the additional layer, and the
additional layer is attached to the backing pad with at least one
fixing member, wherein the at least one fixing member is hollow in
its longitudinal direction in order to transport debris with air
through the at least one fixing member.
2. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
additional layer is attached to the backing pad with two or more
fixing members.
3. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
additional layer is attached to the backing pad with one fixing
member arranged in the center of the backing pad.
4. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
fixing member is of screw-, snap hook- or expanding type.
5. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
backing pad comprises at least one air inlet conduit for conducting
air to an abrading surface.
6. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
additional layer comprises a soft intermediate layer between the
upper surface and the lower surface of the additional layer.
7. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
lower surface of the additional layer comprises abrasive
particles.
8. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, further
comprising an abrading article adapted to be attached to the
additional layer.
9. The backing pad arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
backing pad comprises a suction conduit formed by the at least one
opening of the additional layer and an additional opening of a
cover plate of the backing pad.
10. An abrading system comprising an abrading apparatus, wherein
the abrading system further comprises a backing pad arrangement
according to claim 1.
11. The abrading system according to claim 10, wherein the abrading
system comprises a debris extractor system adapted to provide
suction pressure and to remove debris formed during abrading
work.
12. The abrading system according to claim 11, wherein the debris
extractor system is arranged to guide debris away from the
additional layer and the abrading surface.
13. The abrading system according to claim 11, wherein the debris
extractor system is adapted to guide debris via at least one of the
following: the additional layer, the abrading article, the backing
pad, the fixing member(s), opening(s) of the additional layer,
opening(s) of the abrading article, and opening(s) of a cover plate
of the backing pad.
14. The abrading system according to claim 10, wherein opening(s)
of the additional layer, and opening(s) of the cover plate of the
backing pad are connected in order to form conduit(s).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The application relates to a backing pad arrangement
suitable for an abrading system. The application further relates to
the abrading system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Abrading is performed in a multitude of contexts such as
automobile repair and paint work, building construction and repair,
and manufacturing and repairing furniture and the like. Commonly,
an abrading article is attached to a backing pad of an abrading
system via attachment elements. Abrading in all contexts creates
debris, which causes wearing of the attachment elements. The
backing pad thus loses its property to keep the abrading article in
place, and the backing pad must then be replaced.
SUMMARY
[0003] It is an object of the application to provide a longer
lifetime of a backing pad, thus saving costs and environment.
[0004] According to an aspect of the application, a backing pad
arrangement for an abrading system, the backing pad arrangement
comprising a backing pad, wherein the lower surface of the backing
pad comprises at least one opening, which at least one opening is
adapted to receive a fixing member, is provided. The backing pad
arrangement further comprises an additional layer adapted to be
attached to the backing pad. The additional layer comprises an
upper surface, a lower surface and at least one opening which
extends through the additional layer. The additional layer is
attached to the backing pad with at least one fixing member.
Alternatively, the backing pad arrangement further comprises an
abrading article adapted to be attached to the backing pad. The
abrading article comprises at least one opening, which extends
through the abrading article. The abrading article is attached to
the backing pad with at least one fixing member. The at least one
fixing member is hollow in its longitudinal direction.
[0005] According to another aspect of the application, a backing
pad arrangement for an abrading system, the backing pad arrangement
comprising a backing pad, wherein the lower surface of the backing
pad comprises two or more openings, said openings being adapted to
receive fixing members, is provided. The backing pad arrangement
further comprises an additional layer adapted to be attached to the
backing pad, which additional layer comprises an upper surface, a
lower surface and two or more openings which extend through the
additional layer. The additional layer is attached to the backing
pad with two or more fixing members. Alternatively, the backing pad
arrangement further comprises an abrading article adapted to be
attached to the backing pad, which abrading article comprises two
or more openings, which extend through the abrading article. The
abrading article is attached to the backing pad with two or more
fixing members.
[0006] According to yet another aspect of the application, an
abrading system comprising an abrading apparatus, wherein the
abrading system further comprises a backing pad arrangement
according to the application, is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The figures are presented to illustrate the disclosed
embodiments, and are not to be taken to be limiting the scope of
their use. The figures are not in any particular scale.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a backing pad
attached to an abrading apparatus.
[0009] FIG. 2a illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a
backing pad with an abrading paper.
[0010] FIG. 2b illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a
backing pad with an abrading net.
[0011] FIG. 2c illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a
backing pad with a pad saver in between the backing pad and an
abrading net.
[0012] FIG. 2d illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a
backing pad with an interface in between the backing pad and an
abrading net.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view and a perspective
view of a hollow fixing member for use in a backing pad
arrangement.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of a
backing pad.
[0015] FIG. 5a illustrates a backing pad seen from the
underside.
[0016] FIG. 5b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a backing
pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The solution is described in the following in more detail
with reference to some embodiments, which shall not be regarded as
limiting.
[0018] In the following description, reference is made to the
figures with the following numerals and denotations:
[0019] S.sub.x and S.sub.y denote orthogonal directions [0020] 11
Motor [0021] 12 Motor shaft [0022] 13 Bearing [0023] 14 Spindle
[0024] 15 Pad screw [0025] 16 Suction opening [0026] 17 Abrading
article [0027] 18 Backing pad [0028] 211 Cover plate [0029] 212
Upper opening [0030] 213 Glass fiber plate [0031] 214 Hard foam
[0032] 215 Backing pad hooks [0033] 216 Suction opening [0034] 217
Abrading paper with loops [0035] 221 Cover plate [0036] 222 Upper
opening [0037] 223 Glass fiber plate [0038] 224 Hard foam [0039]
225 Backing pad hooks [0040] 226 Suction opening [0041] 227
Abrading net with loops [0042] 231 Cover plate [0043] 232 Upper
opening [0044] 233 Glass fiber plate [0045] 234 Hard foam [0046]
235 Backing pad hooks [0047] 236 Suction opening [0048] 237
Abrading net with loops [0049] 238 Pad saver with loops and hooks
[0050] 241 Cover plate [0051] 242 Upper opening [0052] 243 Glass
fiber plate [0053] 244 Hard foam [0054] 245 Backing pad hooks
[0055] 246 Suction opening [0056] 247 Abrading net with loops
[0057] 248 Interface with loops, soft foam and hooks [0058] 319
Fixing member [0059] 411 Cover plate [0060] 412 Upper opening
[0061] 413 Backing pad [0062] 416 Suction opening [0063] 417
Abrading net [0064] 418 Additional layer [0065] 419 Fixing member
[0066] 422 Additional opening [0067] 513 Backing pad [0068] 516
Suction opening [0069] 518 Additional layer [0070] 519 Fixing
member [0071] 521 Cover plate [0072] 522 Upper opening [0073] 523
Backing pad [0074] 526 Suction opening [0075] 527 Abrading net
[0076] 528 Additional layer [0077] 529 Fixing member [0078] 532
Additional opening [0079] 534 Air inlet conduit [0080] 535 Air
inlet opening
[0081] An abrading apparatus to which a backing pad is attached is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The abrading apparatus comprises a pneumatic
or electrical driven motor 11 for rotating a motor shaft 12. The
abrading apparatus comprises a bearing 13 mounted eccentrically
with respect to the motor shaft 12 at a lower end of the motor
shaft 12. To the bearing 13 a spindle 14 is mounted. Alternatively,
the bearing may be mounted in an additional shaft balancer and the
motor 11 is arranged to rotate the shaft balancer by means of
connection members or gears.
[0082] The backing pad 18 is attached to the spindle 14. The
backing pad 18 may be attached to the spindle 14 with a pad screw
15. By this arrangement the backing pad 18 may move in random
circles. This refers to oscillating movement. An upper surface of
the backing pad 18 refers to a surface that is arranged to be
attached to the abrading apparatus. A lower surface of the backing
pad 18 refers to the opposite surface on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y
plane.
[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 2a-d, the upper surface of the
backing pad 18 comprises a cover plate 211, 221, 231, 241. The
cover plate 211, 221, 231, 241 may comprise upper openings 212,
222, 232, 242. The backing pad 18 may comprise a glass fiber plate
213, 223, 233, 243 arranged below the cover plate 211, 221, 231,
241. The backing pad may further comprise a layer comprising hard
foam 214, 221, 234, 244 below the glass fiber plate. The lower
surface of the backing pad 18 may comprise suction openings 216,
226, 236, 246. The suctions openings 216, 226, 236, 246 may be in
connection with the upper openings 212, 222, 232, 242. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2a-d, upper opening 212, 222, 232, 242 may be
connected to more than one suction openings 216, 226, 236, 246.
Thus, one upper opening 212, 222, 232, 242 may serve as an outlet
for debris and/or airflow from more than one suction openings 216,
226, 236, 246.
[0084] During abrading a work piece with the abrading system, an
abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 may be attached to the lower
surface of the backing pad 18. The abrading article 217, 227, 237,
247 may be attached to the lower surface of the backing pad 18 via
attachment elements 215, 225, 235, 245 at the lower surface of the
backing pad 18 and at the upper surface of the abrading article
217, 227, 237, 247. The upper surface of the abrading article 217,
227, 237, 247 is detachably attachable to the lower surface of the
backing pad 18. The abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 may
comprise abrasive particles. The abrading article 217, 227, 237,
247 may comprise abrasive material, like a sandpaper or a sanding
net. An abrading surface refers to the surface that is adapted to
be in contact with the surface to be abraded during abrading.
[0085] In all abrading, whether abrading a discrete work piece or
larger surface such as a wall or a ceiling, abrading debris is
created. This debris may comprise abraded material from the abraded
surface as well as abrasive particles detached from the abrading
article. Debris may be fine-grained. Debris remaining in the
abrading process may adversely affect abrasion efficiency and
resulting surface quality, and may clog the abrading article.
Accumulated debris on the abrading article and/or the backing pad
adds to the weight of the system component on which debris
accumulates, resulting in an imbalanced abrading system which may
compromise user control, abrading efficiency and surface
quality.
[0086] The abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 may comprise
openings corresponding to the suction openings 216, 226, 236, 246
of the backing pad 18 or the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247
may comprise an abrading net which comprises an open mesh. During
abrading the open mesh allows debris and air to flow through the
net. When attached to the backing pad 18 the openings of the
abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 are aligned with the suction
openings 216, 226, 236, 246 of the backing pad 18.
[0087] The abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 and the backing pad
18 may be of any shape on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane, such as
rectangular, triangular, or preferably round. Preferably, the
backing pad 18 and the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 are
substantially of the same shape and size. The backing pad 18 and
the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 are attachable such that
edge portions of the facing surfaces of backing pad 18 and abrading
article 217, 227, 237, 247, when attached next to each other, are
compatible forming uniform external edge portion. The backing pad
18 and the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 have similar
external edges in shape, size and form.
[0088] The abrading system may comprise a debris extractor for
providing a suction pressure and transporting debris formed during
abrading work. The abrading system may comprise a housing for
guiding the suction pressure from the debris extractor system to
the upper side of the backing pad 18. The suction pressure may be
guided through the abrading apparatus above the backing pad 18.
From outside the backing pad 18 and possibly through inlet conduits
534 and air inlet opening 535 in the backing pad 18 air may be
transported by the suction pressure through suction openings in the
backing pad 18 to the debris extractor. With this airflow, debris
is transported away from underside of the backing pad 18 and the
abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247.
[0089] Although most of the debris is transported away with the air
flow caused by the suction pressure, even a small amount of
remaining debris may wear the attachment elements 215, 225, 235,
245 of the lower surface of the backing pad 18 and/or the upper
surface layer of the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247. With worn
attachment elements 215, 225, 235, 245 the lower surface of the
backing pad 18 and/or the upper surface layer of the abrading
article 217, 227, 237, 247 lose its/their property to keep the
abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247 attached to the backing pad
18.
[0090] For smaller backing pads 18 an additional layer 238, 248
comprising attachment elements may be used in between the backing
pad 18 and the abrading article 217, 227, 237, 247. Use of the
additional layer 238, 248 may provide savings in costs and a longer
lifetime for the backing pad 18. When the attachment elements of
the additional layer 238, 248 are worn out, the additional layer
238, 248 instead of the backing pad 18 is to be replaced.
[0091] The additional layer 238, 248 comprises an upper surface,
which refers to the surface on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane that is
arranged to be attached against the backing pad, as well as a lower
surface, which refers to the opposite surface of the additional
layer 238, 248 on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane. The additional layer
238, 248 may be a pad saver or an interface. The pad saver
comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface
and the lower surface of the pad saver may comprise attachment
elements. The interface comprises an upper surface, a lower surface
and an intermediate layer. The upper surface and the lower surface
of the interface may comprise attachment elements.
[0092] However, when using larger backing pads, the additional
layer 238, 248 as described above may not extend the lifetime of
the backing pad. For larger backing pads, the airflow is not
sufficient to keep the area clean when using a weak debris
extractor. The debris gathers in the attachment elements between
the backing pad and the additional layer 238, 248 and may even
shorten the lifetime of the attachment elements of the backing
pad.
[0093] A larger backing pad refers to a backing pad comprising a
diameter of more than 150 mm. For a backing pad having a shape on
the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane other than round, such as rectangular,
triangular, elliptical or otherwise polygonal, the diameter refers
to longest possible distance between the edges of the backing
pad.
[0094] For larger backing pads, a solution according to an
embodiment is provided. According to an embodiment, the backing pad
413, 523 comprises an additional layer 418, 518, 528, which is
attached to the backing pad 413, 523 with at least one fixing
member 319, 419, 519, 529 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5a and
5b.
[0095] The fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 may be of a type of a
screw. The fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 may comprise screw
threads. The fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 may comprise a stub
portion. Alternatively, the fixing member may be e.g. of a snap
hook- or expanding type. The fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 may
comprise plastic and/or metal. Advantageously, the fixing member
319, 419, 519, 529 comprises plastic. The fixing member 319, 419,
519, 529 may be hollow in its longitudinal direction. Longitudinal
direction refers to the direction of the fixing member 319, 419,
519, 529 arranged to pass through the backing pad 413, 523 and the
additional layer 418, 518, 528, being perpendicular to the surfaces
of backing pad 413, 523 and additional layer 418, 518, 528. The
fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 passing through the backing pad
413, 523 and the additional layer 418, 518, 528 is arranged to
enable the attachment of the backing pad 413, 523 and the
additional layer 418, 518, 528. The hollow fixing member 319, 419,
519, 529 allows the air to flow through.
[0096] The additional layer 418, 518, 528 comprises an upper
surface, which refers to the surface on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane
that is arranged to be attached against the backing pad 413, 523,
as well as a lower surface, which refers to the opposite surface of
the additional layer 418, 518, 528 on the S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane.
The additional layer 418, 518, 528 may be a pad saver or an
interface. The pad saver comprises an upper surface and a lower
surface. The interface comprises an upper surface, a lower surface
and an intermediate layer.
[0097] The upper surface of the additional layer 418, 518, 528 may
comprise fabric, film, plastic sheet and/or attachment elements,
such as loops.
[0098] The lower surface of the additional layer 418, 518, 528 may
comprise attachment elements for attaching the additional layer
418, 518, 528 to an abrading article 417, 527. Such attachment
elements may enable mechanical or adhesive attachment.
Advantageously, such attachment enables removal and re-attachment.
Attachment elements may comprise hook-and-loop type of fastening
with the capability for convenient re-attachment. In an embodiment,
the lower surface layer of the additional layer 418, 518, 528
comprises hooks. In another embodiment, the lower surface layer of
the additional layer 418, 518, 528 comprises loops.
[0099] The lower surface of the additional layer 418, 518, 528 may
comprise abrasive particles. The abrasive particles may be attached
to the lower surface of the additional layer 418, 518, 528 via an
adhesive.
[0100] The intermediate layer of the additional layer 418, 518, 528
may comprise a cushion. The intermediate layer may comprise soft
material, such as foam. The soft intermediate layer of the
additional layer 418, 518, 528 enables the additional layer 418,
518, 528 to adapt to contours of a surface when abrading.
[0101] The cover plate 411, 521 of the backing pad 413, 523
comprises openings. The cover plate 411, 521 of the backing pad
413, 523 may comprise upper openings 412, 522 and additional
openings 422, 532. The upper openings 412, 522 and additional
openings 422, 532 are technically similar. The term upper opening
412, 522 refers to an opening that may be aligned with a suction
opening 416, 516, 526 of the additional layer 418, 518, 528
comprising a fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529 fixed to it. The term
additional opening 422, 532 refers to an opening that may be
aligned with a suction opening 416, 516, 526 of the additional
layer 418, 518, 528 that does not comprise a fixing member 319,
419, 519, 529 fixed to it.
[0102] The additional layer 418, 518, 528 comprises suction
openings 416, 516, 526. The suction openings 416, 516, 526 may
extend through the additional layer 418, 518, 528. The suction
openings 416, 516, 526 extending through the additional layer 418,
518, 528 may be arranged such that when attached to the backing pad
413, 523, the suction openings 416, 516, 526 are aligned with upper
openings 412, 522 and additional openings 422, 532 comprised by the
cover plate 411, 521. The suction openings 416, 516, 526 may be
connected with the upper openings 412, 522 and/or additional
openings 422, 532 of the cover plate 411, 521. Through the
extended, continuous suction conduit(s) thus formed, debris forming
during abrading work may be transported together with the airflow
caused by the suction pressure provided by the debris extractor.
Upper opening 412, 522 may be connected to more than one suction
openings 416, 516, 526. Thus, one upper opening 412, 522 or one
additional opening 422, 532 may serve as an outlet for debris
and/or airflow from more than one suction openings 416, 516, 526.
The debris extractor system is arranged to guide debris away from
the additional layer 418, 518, 528 and the abrading surface of the
abrading article 417, 527.
[0103] According to an embodiment, the additional layer 418, 518,
528 is attached to the backing pad 413, 523 with at least one
fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529. The at least one fixing member
319, 419, 519, 529 is hollow in its longitudinal direction. A
fixing member 319, 419, 519, 529, which is arranged through
openings of a backing pad and an additional layer or an abrading
article, may form a border at circumference of the openings. Thus
opening may be of smaller area and/or volume due to the fixing
member 319, 419, 519, 529, but it still allows air and/or debris to
flow through.
[0104] According to an embodiment, the additional layer 418, 518,
528 is attached to the backing pad 413, 523 with multiple fixing
members 319, 419, 519, 529. The fixing members 419, 519, 529 may be
arranged in a symmetrical or unsymmetrical manner. The fixing
members 319, 419, 519, 529 may be fixed to the suction openings
416, 516, 526 of the additional layer 418, 518, 528. The fixing
members may be fixed in alignment with the upper openings 412, 522
of the cover plate 411, 521. The suction openings 416, 516, 526 of
the additional layer 418, 518, 528 are in connection with the upper
openings 412, 522 and additional openings 422, 532 of the cover
plate 411, 521 of the backing pad 413, 523. The hollow fixing
members 319, 419, 519, 529 allow the debris to be transported with
air through the fixing members. The debris may also be transported
through the suction conduits formed by the suction openings 416,
516, 526 of the additional layer 418, 518, 528 and the additional
openings 422, 532 of the cover plate 411, 521 of the backing pad
413, 523.
[0105] An air inlet conduit 534 of the backing pad 523 is arranged
to lead air via an air inlet opening 535 to the abrading surface of
the abrading article 527. This increases the air flow from the
abrading surface of the abrading article 527 to the suction
openings 526.
[0106] According to another embodiment, the additional layer may be
attached to the backing pad with one fixing member, which fixing
member is arranged in the center of the backing pad. The center of
the backing pad refers to a center point of the backing pad in the
S.sub.x, S.sub.y plane. The fixing member is hollow in its
longitudinal direction. The hollow fixing member allows the air to
flow through. The hollow fixing member allows the debris to be
transported through the fixing member. The debris may also be
transported through the suction conduits formed by the suction
openings of the additional layer and the additional openings of the
cover plate of the backing pad.
[0107] According to an aspect of the application, a backing pad
arrangement for an abrading system, the backing pad arrangement
comprising a backing pad, wherein the lower surface of the backing
pad comprises at least one opening, which at least one opening is
adapted to receive a fixing member, is provided. The backing pad
arrangement further comprises an additional layer adapted to be
attached to the backing pad. The additional layer comprises an
upper surface, a lower surface and at least one opening which
extends through the additional layer. The additional layer is
attached to the backing pad with at least one fixing member.
Alternatively, the backing pad arrangement further comprises an
abrading article adapted to be attached to the backing pad. The
abrading article comprises at least one opening, which extends
through the abrading article. The abrading article is attached to
the backing pad with at least one fixing member. The at least one
fixing member is hollow in its longitudinal direction. The
additional layer or the abrading article may be attached to the
backing pad with two or more fixing members. The additional layer
or the abrading article may be attached to the backing pad with one
fixing member arranged in the center of the backing pad. The fixing
member may be of screw-, snap hook- or expanding type. The backing
pad may comprise at least one air inlet conduit for conducting air
to an abrading surface. The additional layer may comprise a soft
intermediate layer between the upper surface and the lower surface
of the additional layer. The lower surface of the additional layer
may comprise abrasive particles. The backing pad may comprise at
least one additional opening not adapted to receive a fixing
member.
[0108] According to another aspect of the application, a backing
pad arrangement for an abrading system, the backing pad arrangement
comprising a backing pad, wherein the lower surface of the backing
pad comprises two or more openings, said openings being adapted to
receive fixing members, is provided. The backing pad arrangement
further comprises an additional layer adapted to be attached to the
backing pad, which additional layer comprises an upper surface, a
lower surface and two or more openings which extend through the
additional layer. The additional layer is attached to the backing
pad with two or more fixing members. Alternatively, the backing pad
arrangement further comprises an abrading article adapted to be
attached to the backing pad, which abrading article comprises two
or more openings, which extend through the abrading article. The
abrading article is attached to the backing pad with two or more
fixing members. The fixing members may be of screw-, snap hook- or
expanding type. The fixing members may be non-hollow. The backing
pad may comprise at least one air inlet conduit for conducting air
to an abrading surface. The additional layer may comprise a soft
intermediate layer between the upper surface and the lower surface
of the additional layer. The lower surface of the additional layer
may comprise abrasive particles. The backing pad may comprise at
least one additional opening not adapted to receive a fixing
member.
[0109] According to yet another aspect of the application, an
abrading system comprising an abrading apparatus, wherein the
abrading system further comprises a backing pad arrangement
according to the application, is provided. The abrading system may
comprise a debris extractor system adapted to provide suction
pressure and to remove debris formed during abrading work. The
debris extractor system may be arranged to guide debris away from
the additional layer and the abrading surface. The debris extractor
system may be adapted to guide debris via at least one of the
following: the additional layer, the abrading article, the backing
pad, the fixing member(s), opening(s) of the additional layer,
opening(s) of the abrading article, opening(s) of a cover plate of
the backing pad. Opening(s) of the additional layer or opening(s)
of the abrading article, and opening(s) of the cover plate of the
backing pad may be connected in order to form conduit(s) for
removing debris.
[0110] The lifetime of a backing pad arrangement according to an
embodiment was tested and compared with a backing pad arrangement
having the additional layer attached to it via hook-and-loop type
attachment elements. Depending on the material of the attachment
elements, the average lifetime of the latter backing pad
arrangement was shown to be between 12 and 17 hours. For the
backing pad arrangement according to the embodiment, the lifetime
of the additional layer was shown to be between 35 and 42 hours.
Moreover, after that the backing pad was not shown to be worn out
and could be used again by replacing the additional layer with a
new one.
[0111] The above presented provides a cost efficient and ecological
backing pad for an abrading system. It is far more cost efficient
to replace the additional layer instead of the whole backing pad.
The extended lifetime of backing pads decreases wasted backing pads
and thus saves environment.
[0112] Many variations of the present application will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the description
in previous. Such obvious variations are within the full intended
scope of the appended claims.
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