Abrasive system and method of using the same

Abstract

An abrading system is presented. The system includes a first vibratory structure comprising a first plurality of protrusions. The system also includes a second vibratory structure comprising a second plurality of protrusions. The system also includes an abrasive article contacting the first film. The system also includes a stroke plate coupled to the second film. When the stroke plate is activated, the first and second plurality of protrusions are configured to interlock and slip with respect to each other in a first direction.

1 . An abrading system comprising:
 a first vibratory structure comprising a first plurality of protrusions;   a second vibratory structure comprising a second plurality of protrusions;   an abrasive article contacting the first plurality of protrusions;   a stroke plate coupled to the second plurality of protrusions; and   wherein, when the stroke plate is activated, the first and second plurality of protrusions are configured to interlock and slip with respect to each other in a first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article is a rolled sheet of abrasive fed through the abrading system in a feeding direction, and wherein the feeding direction is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article is a coated abrasive article, a bonded abrasive article or a nonwoven abrasive article. 
     
     
         4 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article comprises abrasive particles, and wherein the abrasive particles comprise crushed, formed, or shaped abrasive particles. 
     
     
         5 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of protrusions comprise a shaped protrusion repeating along a surface of the first vibratory structure. 
     
     
         6 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second vibratory structures comprise microreplicated film. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The abrading system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a compressible pad between the stroke plate and the second vibratory structure. 
     
     
         16 . A robotic repair system comprising:
 an abrading system comprising:
 a vibration source; 
 a first structure, with a first interlocking feature, coupled to the vibration source; 
 a second structure, with a second interlocking feature interlocked to the first locking feature; 
 wherein, the first and second structures are configured to, when interlocked, slip in a first direction; and 
 wherein an abrasive article contacts the second structure on a second side opposite a first side that contacts the first structure; 
   a robotic repair unit configured to move the abrading system into position over a workpiece; and   a mount that couples the abrading system to the robotic repair unit.   
     
     
         17 . The robotic repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the abrasive article is an abrasive belt, and wherein the abrading system also comprises a belt feeder that feeds the belt in between the second structure and the workpiece, in a feed direction, and wherein the feed direction is different from the first direction. 
     
     
         18 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The robotic repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the abrasive article is an abrasive pad coupled to the second structure. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The robotic repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second interlocking features are micro-replicated features. 
     
     
         27 . The robotic repair system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second interlocking features each comprise a plurality of protrusions extending from a base surface. 
     
     
         28 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of abrading a surface comprising:
 coupling an abrasive article to an abrading system, wherein the abrading system comprises:   a vibration source;   a first structure coupled to the vibration source, wherein the first structure comprises a first plurality of protrusions extending from a first base;   a second structure comprising a second plurality of protrusions, extending from a second base, wherein the second plurality of protrusions interlock with the first plurality of protrusions; and   wherein the abrasive article is coupled to the second structure; and   actuating the abrading system, wherein actuating the abrading system causes the first and second plurality of protrusions to slip with respect to each other in a first direction.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , and further comprising:
 causing the abrasive article to move with respect to the workpiece in a feed direction.   
     
     
         35 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first plurality of protrusions are micro-replicated. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the first plurality of protrusions are machined into the first structure. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first plurality of protrusions are formed of the same material as the first base. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first and second plurality of protrusions interlock such that gaps are present between adjacent protrusions. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first plurality of protrusions are polygonal in shape. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the polygonal shape is substantially rectangular or substantially triangular. 
     
     
         46 - 57 . (canceled)