Methods for in-situ cleaning of abrasive belt/planer surfaces using dry ice and cleaning systems and device related thereto

Abstract

Featured is a method and system for cleaning abrasive sanding and / or planing media, for example sandpaper, wide belt sanding belts, planers, grinding wheels or other abrasive surfaces while the media is either in-situ in the sanding, planing, grinding equipment or when removed. Additionally, the cleaning featured method and system can clean the media while the abrasive media is being used as well as when the abrasive media is not being used. In the cleaning method dry ice (CO.sub.2, solid carbon dioxide) particles are propelled towards the abrasive surface at a high velocity so the dry ice particles impact on the surface of the abrasive media at a high velocity. Additionally, the dry ice (CO.sub.2, solid carbon dioxide) particles are propelled as to impact the abrasive surface at varying angles and locations as necessary to effectively clean the abrasive surface. Further, the dry ice particles are propelled towards the abrasive media when it is in motion, for example rotating, so the dry ice particles impact the abrasive media at different locations of the media. The method and system allow the abrasive media to be cleaned while the abrasive media is being used for its' intended purpose. Thereby reducing equipment downtime usually associated with cleaning and / or changing the abrasive media due to becoming dirty and / or worn.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION1. The present invention relates to methods and systems for in-situ cleaning of abrasive sanding or planning media used for sanding, planing, grinding or otherwise abrasively preparing or finishing wood, metal or other surfaces more particularly to methods and systems that use dry ice (i.e., CO.sub.2, solid carbon dioxide) particles for in-situ cleaning of the abrasive media surfaces while in use or when the media is not being used.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION2. Abrasive sanding or planing devices (also referred to as sandpaper, sanding belts, abrasive planers, or grinding surfaces) are used throughout industry for removing a portion of a material's surface to create a suitable surface finish for the specific requirements. In the woodworking industry, sanding belts are used for removing a portion of the wood surface from a piece of wood as to create a particular finish on the resulting wood surface. An example of such a sanding or abrasive belt is the VFM 36".times....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

11. Because of this on-line and in-situ capability for cleaning an abrasive surface, the quality of the finished product or material is drastically increased. Additionally, the cleaning process and system / apparatus of the present invention increases the useable life of the typical sanding, planning and grinding belt, thereby reducing the a user's purchases of new abrasive belts. Moreover, in-situ cleaning according to the method of the present invention results in the realization of significant production savings by simply not having to change, for example, an abrasive belt as often as if there was no on-line or in-situ cleaning process or system.

Problems solved by technology

This cleaning operation, however, yields an abrasive belt that is only partially cleaned.

Because the abrasive belt most often has a paper type backing, the belt also tends to stretch after exposure to these cleaning solutions and thus no longer fits correctly onto the sanding equipment.

These methods of cleaning greatly reduce the life of the belt.

6. In addition to the foregoing shortcomings or problems with prior art cleaning methods, removing the belts from the equipment or device reduces the production capacity of the machine at a rate relative to the amount of time required to shut the machine down and remove, replace and reset the belt on the machine.

Because the belts tend to stretch after application of the cleaning solution(s), however, the "cleaned" belts do not tighten correctly.

Also, and as a result of these prior art cleaning methods, the "cleaned" abrasive belts may fall apart when the equipment is turned on and operated.

7. In sum, a long outstanding and major problem within the woodworking and metalworking industries in the area of surface preparation and / or finishing involves the capability to clean the abrasive surface of the sanding, grinding or planing equipment.

Prior attempts have not solved this long standing problem with cleaning such abrasive sanding, planing or grinding surfaces.

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