Patent ID: 7090560
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling an abrading operation by detecting whether an abrading article is installed on an abrading machine with an abrasive side of the abrading article facing an appropriate direction, comprising: a sensor that is aimed toward the abrading article installed on the abrading machine and that receives a reflection from a first side of the abrading article to produce an input signal value that varies depending upon whether the first side includes a plurality of individually spaced index markings that are visible prior to first use and are indicative of whether the first side is the abrasive side, the sensor comprising logic that analyzes the input signal value in relation to a reference signal value and that produces an output signal having a value determined by a result of the comparison; and a controller that maintains the abrading machine in an active or inactive state and that maintains an alert in an active or inactive state, wherein the alert is indicative of the abrasive side of the abrading article facing an inappropriate direction, wherein the controller receives the output signal and activates the abrading machine from an inactive state while maintaining the alert in the inactive state when the output signal value indicates that the abrasive side is facing the appropriate direction, and wherein the controller activates the alert from the inactive state while maintaining the abrading machine in the inactive state when the output signal value indicates that the abrasive side is not facing the appropriate direction.