SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING ABRASIVE ARTICLES

In methods and systems of making an abrasive article, abrasive particles are loaded to a distribution tool including a plurality of upper walls defining a plurality of spacing slots, and a plurality of lower walls defining a plurality of distribution slots. The spacing slots are open to the distribution slots, which are open to a lower side of the tool. The loaded particles are spaced and distributed from the distribution tool to a major face of a backing web below the lower side and moving relative to the tool in a machine direction. The upper walls space the particles in the machine direction. The particles distributed by the lower walls undergo an orientation sequence in which each particle is oriented into a column aligned along the machine direction. The upper walls can be disposed oblique to the lower walls. The upper and lower walls can have pointed upper portions.