Patent ID: 7195550

Claim:
A grinding wheel including two external faces, the grinding wheel comprising: a central ring; a blank around the ring; and first and second reinforcing layers disposed such that the blank is sandwiched between the first and second reinforcing layers, and each of two external faces of the grinding wheel being formed by one of the first and second reinforcing layers, wherein said blank is formed by a method comprising: pouring abrasive grains and a binder directly into a mold: eventually disposing, superimposed. the first reinforcing layer; and compressing the first reinforcing layer if present, the abrasive grains and the binder, wherein said blank is configured to be manipulated, seized, or moved by hand or by means of a machine, the grinding wheel being manufactured by a process comprising: providing the central ring; disposing the blank around the ring; disposing the second reinforcing layer superimposed on said blank; eventually disposing the first reinforcing layer if the blank has no reinforcing layer: and compressing together the blank and first and second reinforcing layers.