Reusable hub assembly for abrasive articles

Abstract

A method of reusing a hub in an abrasive assembly is presented that includes removably coupling the abrasive wheel to a reusable hub. The abrasive wheel has an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The abrasive article has an inner circumference and an outer circumference. The method also includes abrading a worksurface by contacting the abrasive wheel to the worksurface. The reusable hub includes a coupling feature configured to directly couple to the abrasive article. The coupling feature includes an adhesive-free connection between the reusable hub and the abrasive wheel. The direct connection is a removable interlocking between the abrasive wheel and the reusable hub.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A reusable hub for an abrasive article, the reusable hub comprising:
 an abrasive connection mechanism for removably coupling to an abrasive article, wherein the coupling between the reusable hub and the abrasive article is a mechanical connection;   a connection mechanism for removably coupling the reusable hub to a tool driveshaft;   wherein the reusable hub has a thickness along the connection mechanism sized to receive the abrasive article such that the reusable hub is coupled along an interior edge of the abrasive article.   
     
     
         50 . The reusable hub of  claim 49 , wherein the reusable hub has a lip configured to extend over a surface of one side of the abrasive article such that it covers no more than 10% of an area of the abrasive article. 
     
     
         51 . The reusable hub of  claim 49 , wherein the reusable hub, through the abrasive connection mechanism, couples to a mounting ring which couples to the abrasive article. 
     
     
         52 . The reusable hub of  claim 49 , wherein the coupling between the reusable hub and the abrasive article is a toolless coupling. 
     
     
         53 . The reusable hub of  claim 49 , wherein the abrasive connection mechanism is integral to the abrasive article. 
     
     
         54 . The reusable hub of  claim 53 , wherein the abrasive connection mechanism comprises threading, groves, or apertures. 
     
     
         55 . A method of reusing a hub in an abrasive assembly, the method comprising:
 removably coupling the abrasive wheel to a reusable hub, wherein the abrasive wheel has an outer circumference and an inner circumference, and wherein the abrasive article has an inner circumference and an outer circumference;   abrading a worksurface by contacting the abrasive wheel to the worksurface; and   wherein the reusable hub comprises:
 a coupling feature configured to directly couple to the abrasive article; and 
 wherein the coupling feature comprises an adhesive-free connection between the reusable hub and the abrasive wheel, and wherein the direct connection is a removable interlocking between the abrasive wheel and the reusable hub. 
   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the direct connection is a toolless connection. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the direct connection comprises the reusable hub interacting with a receiving feature on the inner circumference of the abrasive wheel. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the reusable hub comprises a damping feature. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the damping feature is an infiltrated material, a co-extruded material, a layer within the reusable hub, or a printed structure within the reusable hub. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the reusable hub further comprises a position locking mechanism. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the reusable hub to a mating ring that couples directly to the abrasive wheel. 
     
     
         62 . A method for exchanging abrasive articles for a reusable hub, the method comprising:
 decoupling a first abrasive article from the reusable hub;   coupling a second abrasive article to the reusable hub, wherein the reusable hub couples and decouples using a mechanical feature of the hub; and   contacting the second abrasive article to a worksurface.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein contacting the second abrasive article to the worksurface further comprises providing vibrational damping. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62 , and further comprising:
 positionally locking the reusable hub in place with respect to the second abrasive article.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein decoupling comprises removing a first component from a spindle of a tool and removing the first abrasive article from the spindle, and wherein coupling comprises mounting the second abrasive article to the spindle and mounting the first component to the spindle. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the first or second component comprises a damping component. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the damping component is external to the first or second component. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the damping component comprises a layer of damping material adhered to the first or second component.