Inventors:
Charles R. Kummeth - Hudson WI
Michael J. Muilenburg - Minneapolis MN
Gary B. Forsberg - Eagan MN
Robert J. Streifel - Woodbury MN
Daniel B. Pendergrass - Mendota Heights MN
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN
International Classification:
B24B 4900
B24B 5100
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for abrasively processing an article involves the use of an abrasive product provided with a machine discernable pattern representative of information of varying types. The pattern is read while the abrasive product moves relative to the article, and is used to control the movement of the abrasive product relative to the article. The pattern may include one or more of a machine discernable electrical characteristic, optical characteristic, topographic characteristic or magnetic characteristic. Reading the pattern may involve one or more of electrically, optically, mechanically or magnetically reading the machine discernable pattern provided on the abrasive product. The pattern may include one or more of indicia, protrusions, depressions, holes, voids, color or pigment variations, bar codes, magnetic transitions or periodic markings. The pattern may include one or more of indexing information, servo information, alignment information or abrasive product identification information.