WO2023175494A2

WO2023175494A2 - Method for manufacturing cutting tools, cutting tool obtained thereby and method for manufacturing coated panels wherein such a cutting tool is used

Info

Publication number: WO2023175494A2
Application number: PCT/IB2023/052453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dries Brouckaert; Benny Schacht; Jan De Rick
Original assignee: Flooring Industries Limited, Sarl
Priority date: 2022-03-18
Filing date: 2023-03-14
Publication date: 2023-09-21
Also published as: WO2023175494A3

Abstract

Method for manufacturing cutting tools, wherein the cutting tool (38) contains one or more cutting sections (39) having a rake surface (40) and a flank surface (41) which are connected to each other by a cutting edge (42) which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (39), characterized in that the rake surface, the flank surface and the cutting edge are shaped by means of a laser treatment, in particular by means of laser microjet machining, wherein the radius (R) of the cutting edge (42) is between 2 and 200 μm, and wherein the wedge angle (G) between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (41) is preferably less than 80°.

Description

Method for manufacturing cutting tools, cutting tool obtained thereby and method for manufacturing coated panels wherein such a cutting tool is used.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing cutting tools, a cutting tool which may be obtained thereby and to a method for manufacturing coated panels wherein such a cutting tool is used.

In particular, the invention relates to cutting tools which are used in the manufacture of coated panels comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, wherein the decorative top layer comprises a print and a transparent top layer or wear layer provided on top thereof. Such panels are well-known, for example from WO 97/47834, WO 2006/066776, WO 2010/023042 and WO 2012/004701, and may imitate, for example, parquet panels or stones or ceramic tiles. From WO 97/47834, it is known to provide such panels with coupling means in such a way that a floating floor covering may be constructed by means of such panels.

It is known, from WO 2012/004701, to use a thermoplastic layer, for example made of PVC, as a wear layer. It is furthermore known from this document to remove a portion of the top layer on the edge of the panel in order to form a lowered edge region in the form of a bevel which extends as far as below the level of the print. Such a bevel may then be provided with a separate decorative coating. Such a bevel may give the impression of not being authentic and may be detrimental to an otherwise well-executed imitation in the top surface of the panel.

It is known from WO 2006/066776 to produce a bevel by deforming the substrate, in which case the print and the wear layer, in this case for example a thermosetting wear layer, extend in a continuous manner from the central top surface of the panels over the aforementioned bevel. Producing such a bevel is complicated. The present invention is firstly aimed at cutting tools which make it possible to obtain an alternative coated panel, which, according to various preferred embodiments, offers a solution to the problems encountered with the prior-art cutting tools and/or coated panels.

The coated panels obtained using the cutting tools of the invention preferably have a substrate and a decorative top layer, wherein the aforementioned decorative top layer comprises a print and a transparent wear layer provided on top thereof, wherein the aforementioned panel has a lowered edge region on at least one edge, wherein both the aforementioned print and the aforementioned wear layer extend in a continuous manner from the central surface of the panel over the aforementioned lowered edge region. To this end, the aforementioned wear layer may have a lower gloss level at the location of the lowered edge region than on the central surface of the aforementioned coated panel, or at any rate have at least a gloss level which is lower than that of a portion of the surface of the panel situated directly adjacent thereto, and/or the aforementioned wear layer may have a gloss level of 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530, at the location of the lowered edge region. Using a lower gloss level on the surface of the lowered edge region may produce an additional depth effect in such a way that the lowered edge region seems to extend more deeply than is actually the case. Preferably, compared to the central surface or compared to a portion of the surface situated directly adjacent thereto, the aforementioned lower gloss level is present over at least 50% of the length of the respective edge, and better still over substantially the entire length or the entire length of the respective edge.

It is not ruled out that the central surface as such comprises several gloss levels. In such a case, it is important that the gloss level of the lowered edge region is lower than the gloss level of a directly adjacent portion of the top surface of the floor panel, and this preferably over the greater part of the length of the respective edge.

Preferably, the respective edge region as such has a uniform gloss level over the entire length of the respective edge, or virtually over the entire length of the respective edge. Preferably, the respective edge region has a gloss level of 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530. Preferably, the central surface has a gloss level of 15 or more, or even of 20 or more, across the greater part of its surface. According to a variant, the edge region may also be used in panels whose central surface has a low gloss level, for example of 10 or less. The edge region may then have a gloss level which corresponds to or virtually corresponds to the gloss level of the central surface. In this way, it is possible to prevent the location of the edge region from having an artificial appearance. This variant is mainly of interest in those cases in which the surface of the aforementioned transparent wear layer is matt, for example due to the fact that the respective surface of this transparent wear layer as such has a surface layer or coating with a low gloss level, for example with a gloss level of 10 or less. Such a surface layer or coating may have a thickness of 5 to 20 micron and may, for example, have been achieved on the basis of a radiation-cured coating material. In particular, this may concern a coating which has been cured by means of at least excimer radiation under an inert atmosphere. The fact is that such curing makes it possible to adjust the gloss level, making it easy to achieve matt surfaces. When producing the lowered edge region by means of a cutting operation, the surface layer or coating is nevertheless removed at the location of the edge region, thus making it possible to produce a higher gloss level there, namely the gloss level of the actual transparent wear layer. This may give an artificial and unattractive impression and can be prevented by means of the cutting tools of the present invention. Preferably, the central surface and the lowered edge region, in the case of the variant, have a similar surface roughness, for example a surface roughness, expressed in micrometers Ra, which differs less than 0.5, or even less than 0.2 micrometers. Preferably, the roughness of the central surface is produced by means of the material of the surface layer or coating, while the roughness of the lowered edge region is produced by the material of the actual transparent wear layer, which consists substantially, for example, of a thermoplastic, such as polyvinyl chloride.

According to the most preferred embodiment, a lowered edge region with a lower gloss level is provided on at least two opposite edges of the coated panel. In the case of a rectangular elongate coated panel, this preferably concerns the pair of long edges. Of course, it is not ruled out that such a lowered edge region could be used on all edges of a rectangular panel. In the case of an elongate rectangular panel, the gloss level of the lowered edge region on the pair of long edges is preferably lower than the gloss level of the lowered edge region on the pair of short edges, so that the lowered edge region on the pair of long edges gives the impression of being deeper than the lowered edge region on the pair of short edges. It is also possible to use a lowered edge region on one pair of edges, for example the pair of long edges, having the characteristic features of the invention, while using a lowered edge region on the other pair of edges, for example the pair of short edges, the gloss level of which does not necessarily satisfy the characteristic features of the first aspect.

The difference in gloss level between the lowered edge region and the central top surface, or a portion of the top surface which is situated directly adjacent to the lowered edge region, is preferably at least 1 point, as determined in accordance with DIN 67530. Better still if the difference is 5 points or more.

Preferably, the aforementioned lower gloss level is achieved by the fact that the aforementioned wear layer has a rougher surface structure at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region than at the location of the overall surface and/or by the fact that the aforementioned wear layer is compressed at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region. In this way, the lower gloss level may be achieved by means of a mechanical treatment of the surface of the lowered edge region, rather than by the local addition of a chemical matting agent.

Preferably, the aforementioned lowered edge region is a bevel. Preferably, the aforementioned bevel forms an angle with the top surface or the horizontal of less than 25°, or better still of 15° or less. In this case, 11° is a satisfactory value. Preferably, such a bevel extends over a distance measured in the surface of the panel of less than 2.5 millimeters. The actual associated depth is thus limited, in particular preferably less than 1.15 millimeters, better still less than 0.67 millimeters or less than 0.5 millimeters.

According to the most preferred embodiment, the bevel extends over a depth which is smaller than the thickness of the wear layer at the location of the central surface. Preferably, the aforementioned wear layer has a thickness of 0.3 mm or more, but preferably of less than 0.75 mm, at the location of the central surface.

Preferably, the aforementioned wear layer substantially consists of a thermoplastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, PVC. The use of a thermoplastic on the surface is desirable in order to minimize tapping sounds during use of such a panel as a floor panel, or to minimize scraping sounds during use of such a panel as a furniture panel or wall panel. In the prior art, producing a lowered edge region in a thermoplastic top layer, in particular in the case of PVC, results in the creation of a glossy zone along the edge where the lowered edge region is situated. It is first and foremost for these sorts of coated panels that the invention aims to offer a solution for the unnatural appearance which such a glossy edge region gives the panel. Preferably, the respective layer is made of a thermoplastic free from solid additives, such as ceramic particles of, for example, aluminum oxide, or contains less than 3 grams per square meter of such particles. They can be omitted in order to achieve good transparency, while still maintaining an acceptable wear resistance, namely a wear resistance similar or better than that of a laminate panel of the AC2 or AC3 class, determined in accordance with EN 13329. The wear layer preferably has a thickness of at least 0.3 millimeters, but preferably less than 0.75 millimeters, with 0.3 to 0.55 millimeters being a satisfactory value. This satisfactory value makes it possible to achieve a sufficient degree of resistance to wear for residential applications by means of just the thermoplastic material of the wear layer, i.e. without taking into account any solid additives. Thus, it is for example possible to achieve an IP value (initial wear point) of 3000 or more in the taber tests, as described in EN 13329, annex E. If desired, a surface layer may be present on the surface of the thermoplastic layer, for example on the basis of a radiation-cured polyurethane or acrylate compound. Such a surface layer preferably has a thickness of 100 micrometers or less, or even of 50 micrometers or less. If desired, such a surface layer may comprise aluminum oxide particles or other hard particles, preferably having an average particle size of 10 micrometers or less, or even of 3 micrometers or less, as determined by means of laser scattering granulometry in accordance with ISO 13320, namely by means of a dynamic light-scattering technique, in which a laser is used with an emission at 632.8 nm and measured at a scattering angle of 90°. Laser scattering granulometry may be performed, for example, by means of a Malvern® Mastersizer 2000 or with a Malvern® Mastersizer 3000. The aforementioned surface layer may have a low gloss level. This may be achieved in particular by means of a surface layer which has been cured by means of excimer light under an inert atmosphere, for example of nitrogen. Using the adjustments for the light and the atmosphere, it is possible to produce a surface comprising microscopic wrinkles, thus obtaining a matt appearance.

Preferably, the aforementioned print is provided on a thermoplastic carrier film and together with the film it forms, for example, a printed PVC film, PU film, PP film or PET film. In the case of a PP film, it may for example be an oriented polypropylene film. In the case of a PVC film, it is preferably a rigid PVC film, namely a film on the basis of PVC without a plasticizer or with a plasticizer content of less than 5 phr (parts per hundred of the resin). Such a rigid PVC film can be printed on with greater accuracy, in particular when printing is performed using water-based inks. In such a case, a drying operation using the supply of heat is desirable in the printing process, but the possible expansion of the film is limited by the choice of rigid PVC. As mentioned above, the wear layer preferably also comprises a thermoplastic material, such as soft or rigid PVC, PU, PP or PET. In the case of a PVC wear layer, this preferably contains a plasticizer content of more than 5 phr, or even more than 10 or 15 phr.

According to an alternative, it is not ruled out that the print could be provided on the underside of the wear layer. According to yet another alternative, the print is formed directly on the substrate by means of a printing process which is performed on the substrate, preferably through the use of one or more base layers.

Preferably, the surface of the aforementioned lowered edge region is essentially formed by the material of the aforementioned wear layer, if desired except for the aforementioned surface layer. In this way, a uniform resistance to wear can be achieved across the entire surface of the coated panel. The absence of the surface layer on the lowered edge region may cause a marked visual difference between the lowered edge region and the central surface of the coated panel. This is in particular the case when the surface layer is matt, for example due to having a structure comprising microscopic wrinkles, for example achieved by means of an excimer-cured layer, as explained above. It is in particular for such coated panels that the present invention provides a solution.

Preferably, the aforementioned print extends in the same plane at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region as at the location of the central surface. Thus, the substrate is preferably not deformed at the location of the lowered edge region. Nevertheless, the impression might be given that the edge region is produced in the same way as in the case of WO 2006/066776, namely by deforming the substrate, since the lower gloss level of the edge region creates an additional depth-effect.

Preferably, the aforementioned substrate comprises plastic and/or fillers, or consists substantially of plastic and/or fillers. The plastic is preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but may on the other hand also be selected from the list of polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). According to an alternative, the aforementioned substrate may be mineral-based and/or be produced on the basis of a hydraulically curing binder, such as lime-based or magnesium-based cement, for example on the basis of Portland cement, Sorel cement or MgO (magnesium oxide). Such a substrate preferably still comprises fibers or particles, such as wood fibers or wood particles, cellulose fibers, glass fibers, plastic fibers, such as PVA fibers (polyvinyl alcohol). According to yet another alternative, the substrate consists of a wood-based or grass-based substrate, such as an MDF or HDF panel (Medium or High Density Fiberboard), a chipboard panel, a bamboo-based panel, a hemp-based panel. According to yet another alternative, the substrate consists of a compact laminate, namely a panel comprising several carrier sheets which have been pressed together and provided with resin. This may involve, for example, paper or cardboard sheets which have been soaked in phenol formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, or combinations thereof. Such a substrate is known per se, for example from EP 2 763 850.

Firstly, the invention is intended to be employed with coated panels which are provided on at least two opposite edges with coupling means which allow two such panels to be coupled to each other at the respective edges, with an interlocking being achieved both in a vertical direction at right angles to the plane of the coupled panels and in a horizontal direction at right angles to the respective edges in the plane of the coupled panels. With such panels, there is a risk that gaps form between the coupled edges after installation, due to changes in the ambient atmosphere, for example changes in temperature or atmospheric humidity. A lowered edge region may be used to mask such gaps. The inventors have found that masking is more effective with lowered edge regions which are matt.

Preferably, the aforementioned coupling means are substantially configured as a male coupling part, for example a tongue, and a female coupling part, for example a groove, wherein horizontally active interlocking surfaces are formed in the coupled position which oppose the tendency of the coupled floor panels to move apart. This may be coupling means which may be fitted inside one another by a rotating movement around the respective edges. According to a particular embodiment, the coupling means are coupling means which can be fitted inside one another by means of a downward movement. Such coupling means are associated with the risk of so-called “peaking” during installation. This is a phenomenon where the male coupling part either plastically deforms or is insufficiently coupled to the female coupling part, so that the male coupling part bends slightly outwards from the panel surface. The outward bending, however slight, may be noticeable within a short space of time and may be regarded as an unattractive defect. This is the case, in particular, when the incident light is practically parallel to the surface. The presence of a lowered edge region having the characteristic features of the invention offers a solution in this case as well.

According to a particular embodiment, the aforementioned substrate comprises several layers, wherein a first layer of a first hardness is situated between the aforementioned print and a second layer of a second hardness which is greater than the aforementioned first hardness. Such a first layer may impart particular properties to the coated panel and/or during manufacturing. Thus, for example, additional attenuation of tapping sounds is achieved and deeper structural features may be provided in the surface of the panel. The difference in hardness is preferably at least 10 on the Shore A hardness scale. In this case, the aforementioned second layer preferably has a hardness of 80 Shore A or more. The difference in hardness in the aforementioned layers may be achieved, for example, by ensuring that both the first and the second layer contain polyvinyl chloride, with the content of plasticizer in the aforementioned first layer being higher than in the aforementioned second layer. Preferably, the difference between the respective layers is at least 5 phr. Preferably, in the coupled position of two such panels, a contact surface is produced directly under the connection of the respective top surfaces of the coupled panels, this contact surface being substantially, or even exclusively, formed on the material of the aforementioned first layer of both coupled panels and, optionally, on the layers of the decorative top layer situated above the latter.

As mentioned above, pretension is achieved by providing an overlap of the contours of the male and the female coupling part, thus producing a clamp fit. Preferably, the overlap is situated at least, and preferably essentially, at the location of the aforementioned horizontally active interlocking surfaces. This preferably results in an outward bend on the underside of the panel, for example on the side comprising the female coupling part of the groove. In an attempt to return to its rest position, the outwardly bent portion then pushes the male coupling part in the direction of the female coupling part. This preferably results in a tension on the aforementioned contact surface under the connection of the top surfaces of the coupled panels. This tension will result in a reduced degree of peaking due to the formation of the contact surface on the aforementioned first layer.

Preferably, the substrate contains one or more glass fiber layers. In this way, dimensional variations in the panel as a whole can be reduced. The possible deformations due to dimensional variations which still occur can then be largely reduced by means of the contact surface on the aforementioned first layer.

Preferably, the aforementioned horizontally active interlocking surfaces are substantially, or even exclusively, formed on the material of the aforementioned second layer. In this way, a strong interlocking in a horizontal direction can be ensured.

The aforementioned coupling means may have one or a combination of two or more of the following properties: - the property that the mechanical coupling means or coupling parts are substantially configured as a tongue and a groove delimited by a top lip and a bottom lip, wherein this tongue and groove are substantially responsible for the interlocking in the aforementioned vertical direction, and wherein the tongue and the groove are provided with additional interlocking parts which are substantially responsible for the interlocking in the aforementioned horizontal direction. Preferably, the interlocking parts comprise a projection on the underside of the tongue and a recess in the bottom groove lip. Such coupling means and interlocking parts are known, for example, from WO 97/47834;

- the property that the mechanical coupling means or coupling parts push the coupled floor panels against each other, for example due to the fact that these mechanical coupling means are provided with so-called pretension, as is known per se from EP 1 026341. The tensile force with which the floor panels are pushed against each other or towards each other may be achieved, for example, in combination with the above property, by means of a bottom lip which is outwardly bent in the coupled position, or another portion of a female coupling part which, in an attempt to spring back, pushes against the underside of the tongue of the male coupling part;

- the property that the mechanical coupling means allow a coupling by means of a horizontal, or practically horizontal, sliding movement of the panels towards each other;

- the property that the mechanical coupling means allow a coupling by means of a rotating movement along the respective edges;

- the property that the mechanical coupling means allow a coupling by means of a downwardly directed movement of a male coupling part, for example having a tongue, into a female coupling part, for example having a groove. As has been mentioned above, there is a risk of peaking associated with this type of panels;

- the property that the mechanical coupling means, or at least the associated top edge, are produced by means of a milling operation using rotating milling tools. It will be clear that the coated panel according to the most preferred embodiment is a floor panel for forming a floating floor covering. However, it is not ruled out that the invention may be used with wall panels, ceiling panels or furniture panels.

According to its first independent aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing cutting tools, wherein the cutting tool contains one or more cutting sections having a rake surface and a flank surface which are connected to each other by a cutting edge which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface and the flank surface, characterized by the fact that the rake surface, the flank surface and the cutting edge are shaped by means of laser treatment, for example by means of laser microjet machining, wherein the radius of the cutting edge is between 2 and 200 pm, and wherein the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is preferably less than 80°. Laser treatment, and in particular laser microjet machining, makes it possible to achieve the particular geometry of the respective cutting section in a particularly efficient way. This particular geometry may result in a matting effect when cutting transparent layers or wear layers of coated panels of the types which have been described above. In particular, laser treatment allows the geometry to be adjusted in such a way that a desired gloss level or mattness is achieved on the cut surface. The inventors have found that the adjustment of the radius R makes it possible to adjust the obtained mattness. The adjustment of the radius R, in particular when this is 200 pm or less, by means of the prior-art methods leaves something to be desired. Thus, for example, when using wire EDM, the outward bending of the wire always has to be taken into account, as a result of which the radius R over the length of an identical cutting edge may already deviate to a large degree.

The expression “Laser Microj et machining” is understood to refer to a technique in which a laser beam moves through a water pressure vessel and is focused in a spray nozzle or nozzle. The waterjet emanating from the nozzle accompanies the laser beam by means of internal reflection on the boundary surface between water and air. The diameter of the waterjet is for example approximately 50 micrometers and the required laser power may be limited, for example between 25 and 30 watts. The energy of the laser evaporates the workpiece material while the water cools down and cleans the workpiece. By means of a scanning process, a treatment procedure may be used which becomes deeper at every pass. Thus, it is possible to achieve a depth of several centimeters, with a virtually constant cutting thickness.

It will be clear that the laser treatment used in the context of the first aspect may be any arbitrary laser treatment, such as a laser treatment performed in a processing machine having at least 5 axes of movement, wherein a laser nozzle is able to follow or scan the contours of the surface to be treated, wherein a minimum nozzle distance to the surface to be treated is preferably maintained. In this case, the laser beam may, optionally, be surrounded by a gas.

Preferably, the laser treatment uses a fiber laser, for example an Yterbium fiber laser.

Preferably, the laser treatment uses a wavelength of 1000 to 1100 nanometers, for example approximately 1070 nanometers.

Preferably, the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is between 60 and 75° and/or the radius of the cutting edge is between 5 and 22 pm.

Preferably, the rake angle is between 5 and 12° and/or the flank angle is preferably between 0 and 15°, better still between 0 and 5°.

Preferably, one or more cutting sections consist of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or tungsten carbide, which are preferably provided on a hard metal carrier.

Preferably, the tool comprises several similar or identical cutting sections, preferably uniformly distributed over the circumference of the cutting tool.

Preferably, the aforementioned tool comprises the cutting sections of one or more scraper blades. Thus, for example, the aforementioned tool may comprise several such cutting sections, wherein at least two such cutting sections are provided with a different geometry, for example with a mutually different radius of the cutting edge, wherein the difference is preferably at least 10pm, or at least 25 pm. The term scraper blade is used to indicate a tool which is meant to remain stationary, or at least not to rotate, during the cutting operation, while the workpiece to be treated is moved over the respective cutting edge by means of a linear movement. Such a scraper blade may be used in order to produce a lowered edge region, and is easy to use. By means of the present invention, it is now also possible to achieve a desired gloss level on the cut surface.

According to a second, independent aspect, the present invention therefore also relates to a cutting tool comprising the cutting section of one or more scraper blades for use in a method for manufacturing a coated panel comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, wherein the aforementioned decorative top layer comprises a print and a transparent wear layer provided on top thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of forming a lowered edge region by means of at least one of aforementioned scraper blades on at least one edge, characterized in that the cutting section comprises a rake surface and a flank surface which are connected to each other by a cutting edge which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface and the flank surface, characterized in that the radius of the cutting edge is between 2 and 200 pm, and wherein the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is preferably less than 80°.

It will be clear that the cutting tool of the second aspect is preferably suitable for use in a method for manufacturing the above-described coated panels, and in particular for manufacturing coated panels, wherein the aforementioned print is provided on a thermoplastic carrier film and forms, for example together with the film, a printed PVC film, PU film, PP film or PET film. As mentioned above, the wear layer preferably also comprises a thermoplastic material, such as soft or rigid PVC, PU, PP or PET. In the case of a PVC wear layer, this preferably has a plasticizer content of more than 5 phr, or even more than 10 or 15 phr. Preferably, the surface of the aforementioned lowered edge region is essentially formed by the material of the aforementioned wear layer, if desired except for the aforementioned surface layer. This is in particular the case when the surface layer is matt, for example due to having a structure comprising microscopic wrinkles, for example achieved by means of an excimer-cured layer, as explained above. It is in particular for such coated panels that the cutting tool of the present invention provides a solution. Preferably, the aforementioned print extends in the same plane at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region as at the location of the central surface. Preferably, the aforementioned substrate comprises plastic and/or fillers, or consists substantially of plastic and/or fillers. The plastic is preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but may on the other hand also be selected from the list of polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Furthermore, the cutting tool of the second aspect preferably also has one or more of the following properties:

- the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is between 60 and 75°;

- the radius of the cutting edge is between 5 and 22 pm;

- the rake angle is between 5 and 12°;

- the flank angle is between 0 and 15°, better still between 0 and 5°;

- the cutting section consist of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or tungsten carbide, which is preferably provided on a hard metal carrier;

- the rake surface, the flank surface and/or the cutting edge have a roughness of 1.6 to 6.3 pm Ra, preferably achieved by means of the particular independent aspect of the invention described below.

Preferably, the cutting tool comprises the cutting sections of 4 to 8 scraper blades. Although the cutting tool is meant to be stationary during the treatment, it is not ruled out that the cutting tool may comprise several scraper blades over its circumference.

According to a first possibility, this may be intended to allow another blade of the same cutting tool to be brought into position in case of wear of the cutting blade, so that it is possible, within a limited change-over time, to continue cutting with another blade of the same cutting tool which has not worn down.

According to a second possibility, at least two such cutting sections are provided with a different geometry, for example with a mutually different radius of the cutting edge, wherein the difference is preferably at least 10 pm, or at least 25 pm. In this way, the mattness of the produced cut can be changed by bringing another cutting section of the same cutting tool in position. In this way, it is possible, for example, with a limited change-over time, to maintain the agreement between the gloss level of the overall surface and the gloss level on the lowered edge region.

It will be clear that the cutting tool of the second aspect may be produced by means of the method of the first aspect, but it is not ruled out that the cutting tool of the second aspect can be produced in any other way. Thus, for example, it is possible to manufacture the cutting tool by means of a method which comprises at least the following steps:

- the step of providing a cutting section with a rake surface and a flank surface, which are connected to each other by a cutting edge which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface and the flank surface, wherein the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is preferably less than 80° or is between 60 and 75°;

- the step of treating the cutting section with an abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge is preferably provided with a radius of between 2 and 50 pm.

In this case, the aforementioned cutting section is preferably provided with the rake surface and the flank surface by means of electrical discharge machining, more particularly by means of wire EDM. Preferably, the step of treating the cutting section comprises submerging it in a bath filled with the aforementioned abrasive medium, in which case a vibrating movement is preferably performed with the bath. Preferably, the aforementioned abrasive medium comprises abrasive grains, preferably of aluminum oxide or diamond. Preferably, the aforementioned cutting section performs a rotating movement in the aforementioned abrasive medium during the treatment step. According to an alternative, or in combination with the treatment in a bath, the treatment step may comprise brushing the cutting section using a brush provided with bristles coated with abrasive particles. Preferably, the aforementioned brush in this case performs a rotating movement.

Surprisingly, the inventors have found that, if the aforementioned cutting section of the rake surface and the flank surface are provided by means of electrical discharge machining, preferably wire EDM, and simultaneously a cutting edge is provided with a radius of between 2 and 50 pm, it is possible to obtain a similar matting effect when using such a cutting section, without in this case necessarily having to perform a step of treating the cutting section with an abrasive medium. Preferably, in such a case, a rough finish is achieved, at least on the aforementioned cutting edge, and preferably also on the aforementioned rake surface and/or flank surface, by means of electrical discharge machining, preferably wire EDM. Preferably, a finish is achieved with a roughness of between 1.6 and 6.3 pm Ra, better still of between 2.5 and 4.5 pm Ra, as determined in accordance with ISO 4287 or ANSI B 46.1, preferably with a sample length of 0.8 mm or more. It will therefore be clear that, according to a particular independent aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cutting tool, wherein the method comprises at least the step of providing a cutting section with a rake surface and a flank surface, which are connected to each other by a cutting edge which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface and the flank surface, wherein the wedge angle between the rake surface and the flank surface is preferably less than 80° or is between 60 and 75°, wherein the aforementioned cutting edge has a radius of between 2 and 50 pm, wherein the aforementioned step of providing the cutting section is performed by means of electrical discharge machining, wherein at least the aforementioned cutting edge, and preferably also the aforementioned rake surface and/or flank surface obtain a finish with a roughness of between 1.6 and 6.3 pm Ra, better still of between 2.5 and 4.5 pm Ra, as determined in accordance with ISO 4287 or ANSI B 46.1, preferably with a sample length of 0.8 mm or more. It will be clear that the cutting section obtained in this particular independent aspect may be a cutting section of a scraper blade or of a rotating tool. It will be clear that such a scraper blade or rotating cutting tool may furthermore have the characteristic features or preferred characteristic features of the first aspect of the invention, but instead of being shaped by means of a laser treatment, may be shaped by means of a wire EDM process. It will furthermore be clear that, in a state in which it has the resultant roughness of between 1.6 and 6.3 pm Ra, the cutting section obtained according to the present particular aspect is used for manufacturing coated panels.

According to a third independent aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing coated panels comprising a substrate and a decorative top layer, wherein the aforementioned decorative top layer comprises a print and a transparent wear layer provided on top thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of forming a lowered edge region on at least one edge by means of a cutting tool produced according to the aforementioned first aspect and/or having the characteristic features of the second aspect and/or having the characteristic features of the particular independent aspect and/or the respective preferred embodiments thereof.

Preferably, both the aforementioned print and the aforementioned wear layer extend in a continuous manner from the central surface of the panel over the aforementioned lowered edge region, wherein the aforementioned wear layer has a gloss level of 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530, at the location of the lowered edge region.

Preferably, a surface structure is produced on the aforementioned lowered edge region which is rougher than at the location of the overall surface and/or wherein the aforementioned wear layer is compressed at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region.

Preferably, the aforementioned lowered edge region relates to, is or comprises a bevel. Preferably, the aforementioned bevel forms an angle with the horizontal of less than 25°, or better still of 15° or less.

Preferably, the surface of the aforementioned lowered edge region is essentially formed by the aforementioned wear layer.

Preferably, the produced coated panel has furthermore one or more of the following properties:

- the aforementioned print extends in the same plane at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region as at the location of the central surface;

- the aforementioned wear layer has a thickness of 0.3 mm or more, but preferably of less than 0.75 mm, at the location of the central surface;

- the aforementioned wear layer substantially consists of a thermoplastic, such as polyvinyl chloride;

- the aforementioned print is provided on a thermoplastic carrier film;

- the aforementioned substrate consists substantially of plastic and/or fillers; - the aforementioned coated panel is provided on at least two opposite edges with coupling means which allow two such panels to be coupled to each other at the respective edges, with an interlocking being achieved both in a vertical direction at right angles to the plane of the coupled panels and in a horizontal direction at right angles to the respective edges in the plane of the coupled panels; preferably, the aforementioned coupling means are substantially configured as a male coupling part, for example a tongue, and a female coupling part, for example a groove, wherein horizontally active locking surfaces are formed in the coupled position which oppose the tendency of the coupled floor panels to move apart.

It will be clear that the present invention also relates to a coated panel produced by means of a method having the characteristic features of the third independent aspect and/or the preferred embodiments thereof.

With a view to providing a better illustration of the characteristic features of the invention, the following text describes a number of preferred embodiments by way of example, without any limiting character, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a coated panel having the characteristic features of the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show a cross section on an enlarged scale along the lines II-II and III-III illustrated in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a view on an enlarged scale of the area which is denoted by F4 in figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the way in which the panels from figures 1 to 4 could be assembled to form a floating floor covering;

Figures 6 and 7 show, in a view similar to that in figures 2 and 3, the coupled position;

Figure 8 diagrammatically shows a method for manufacturing the panel from figures 1 to 4, according to a view denoted by F6 in figure 2. Figure 1 shows a rectangular and elongate coated panel 1, in this case a floor panel with a pair of long opposite edges 2-3 and a pair of short opposite edges 4-5.

Figures 2 and 3 show that the panel 1 comprises a substrate 6 and a decorative top layer 7, with the decorative top layer 7 comprising a print 8 with a transparent wear layer 9 provided on top thereof.

On at least one edge, and in this case on both edges of both the pair of short opposite edges 4-5 and the pair of long opposite edges 2-3, the panel 1 has a lowered edge region 10. In this case, the lowered edge region 10 is a bevel which forms an angle A with the horizontal of less than 25°, in this case of approximately 11°.

Figure 4 shows that the wear layer 7 has a thickness T of at least 0.3 millimeters, in this case of approximately 0.55 mm. The wear layer 7 substantially consists of a thermoplastic, in this case of polyvinyl chloride, and has a surface layer 11 on the surface, for example on the basis of a radiation-cured polyurethane or acrylate compound.

Both the print 8 and the aforementioned wear layer 9 extend in a continuous manner from the central surface 12 of the panel 1 over the lowered edge regions 10, and the surface of the aforementioned lowered edge region is essentially formed by the aforementioned wear layer 9, except for aforementioned surface layer 11. The print 8 extends in the same plane at the location of the lowered edge region 10 as at the location of the central surface 12. At the location of the lowered edge region 10, the wear layer 9 has a gloss level of 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530. The gloss level at the location of the lowered edge region 10 may in this case be lower than or similar to that of the central surface 12. The low gloss level is achieved by the fact that the aforementioned wear layer 9 has a rough surface structure at the location of the lowered edge region 10 and/or by the fact that the aforementioned wear layer 9 is compressed at that location.

In the example, the print 8 is applied to a thermoplastic carrier film 13 and the substrate 6 substantially consists of plastic and/or fillers, such as PVC and calcium carbonate. A preferably foamed layer 14 is applied to the underside of the substrate 6, for example on the basis of cross-linked polyethylene, in order to attenuate noise and/or to accommodate unevenness of the underground.

Figures 2 and 3 clearly illustrate that both pairs of opposite edges 2-3;4-5 of the floor panel 1 are provided with coupling means 15 which make it possible for two such panels 1 to be coupled to each other on the respective edges 2-3;4-5. In the coupled position, an interlocking is produced both in a vertical direction VI at right angles to the plane of the coupled floor panels 1, and in a horizontal direction H1-H2 at right angles to the respective edges 2-3;4-5 and in the plane of the coupled panels 1. The coupling means 15 are in each case configured as a male coupling part 16 and a female coupling part 17, wherein horizontally active interlocking surfaces 18 are formed in the coupled position which oppose the tendency of the coupled floor panels 1 to move apart in the horizontal direction. On the pair of opposite long edges 2-3, the male coupling part 16 is formed by a laterally protruding tongue 19 and the female coupling part by a groove 20.

As is illustrated, the substrate 6 comprises several layers 21-22, wherein a first layer 21 of a first hardness is arranged between the aforementioned print 8 and a second layer 22 of a second hardness which is higher than the aforementioned first hardness. Both the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 contain polyvinyl chloride. The content of plasticizer in the aforementioned first layer 21 is higher than in the aforementioned second layer 22. In the coupled position of two such panels 1, a contact surface 23 is produced directly under the connection of the respective top surfaces, wherein this contact surface 23 is only formed on the aforementioned first layer 21 and the layers 8-9 of the decorative top layer 7 situated above the latter, namely in particular at least on the first layer 21, and the wear layer 9, except for the surface layer 11. The aforementioned horizontally active interlocking surfaces 18 are only formed on the material of the aforementioned second layer 22.

Figure 4 furthermore illustrates that at least a portion of the surface of the coupling means 15 is provided with a water-repellent substance 24. Preferably, the water-repellent substance is at least provided directly under the connection of the top surfaces of the coupled panels 1, namely at a position above the actual coupling means 15, namely, in the case of the long opposite edges 2-3, above the engagement of the tongue 19 in the groove 20, namely above the level of any vertically active interlocking surfaces 25. In this case, the water-repellent substance 24 is at least provided on the aforementioned contact surface 23 which is situated directly under the connection of the top surfaces.

Figure 5 illustrates that the floor panel 1 from figures 1 to 4 is suitable for constructing a floating floor covering. In this case, the coupling means 15 on the pair of long edges 2-3 may be coupled to each other by means of a rotating movement W, and the coupling means 15 on the pair of short edges 4-5 may be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement N.

Figures 6 and 7 show the coupled position of the coupling means 15 on the pair of short opposite edges 4-5 and the pair of long opposite edges 2-3, respectively. The coupling means 15 and the associated top edge 26 are produced by means of a milling operation using rotating milling tools.

The coupling means 15 on the pair of short opposite edges 4-5, illustrated in figure 6, are configured as a male coupling part 16 and a female coupling part 17 which can be arranged inside one another. The male coupling part 16 comprises a hook-shaped portion 27 which projects on the top side of the panel 1, and the female coupling part 17 comprises a hook-shaped portion 27 which projects on the underside of the panel 1. The hook-shaped portion 27 of the male coupling part 16 comprises a downwardly projecting interlocking part 28 which can interact with a recess 29 in the hook-shaped portion 27 of the female coupling part 17. The interaction between the downwardly projecting interlocking part 28 and the recess 29 is substantially responsible for the interlocking in the horizontal direction Hl. The hook-shaped portions 27 are furthermore provided with one or more snap portions 30 and undercuts 31 interacting with the latter which ensure interlocking in the vertical direction VI.

As mentioned before, the coupling means 15 on the pair of long opposite edges 2-3, illustrated in figure 7, are configured as a tongue 19 and a groove 20, delimited by a top lip 32 and a bottom lip 33. The tongue 19 and groove 20 fundamentally ensure the interlocking in the aforementioned vertical direction VI, and are provided with interlocking parts 34-35, substantially responsible for the interlocking in the aforementioned horizontal direction H2. In the example, the interlocking parts comprise a projection 34 on the underside of the tongue 19 and a recess 35 in the bottom lip 33 of the groove 20.

In this case, the mechanical coupling means 15 are provided with pretension, achieved by means of a bottom lip 33 which is bent outwards in the coupled position and which pushes against the underside of the tongue 19 when attempting to spring back.

The coupling means 15 illustrated here also allow a coupling by means of a horizontal sliding movement S of the panels 1 towards each other.

A pretension is used in the example from figure 6 as well, due to the fact that a portion 36 of the female coupling part 17 is bent, in this case the upwardly extending element 36 on the hook portion 27 of the female coupling part 17. In an attempt to spring back, this element 36 pushes against the male part 16, more particularly against the downwardly projecting interlocking part 28 thereof.

Figure 8 shows that the aforementioned lowered edge region 10 is preferably formed by removing a portion of the aforementioned wear layer 9 on the respective edge 2-3;4-5. This is preferably carried out by means of a cutting operation using a rotating milling tool 38. The cutting movement C is indicated by a dash-dotted line in figure 8. Such a milling tool 38 has one or more cutting sections 39, preferably at least nine cutting sections, uniformly distributed over the circumference of a rotating cutting tool. Preferably, the cutting sections 39 comprise a rake surface 40 and a flank surface 41 which are connected to each other by a cutting edge 42 which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface 40 and the flank surface 41. The radius R of the cutting edge 42 is between 2 and 200 micrometers, preferably between 25 and 100 micrometers. A radius of between 2 and 50 micrometers also offers interesting possibilities. The wedge angle G between the rake surface 40 and the flank surface 41 is preferably less than 80°, as is the case here. The rake angle J is preferably between -15° and 15°, preferably the rake angle J is positive, as is the case here, and is between 2° and 15°, or better still between 5 and 12°. The flank angle K is preferably between 0° and 15°, or better still between 0 and 5°.

Figure 8 shows that the material of the lowered edge region 10 is compressed slightly and, in this case, is also provided with a microstructure 43. Compression is mainly achieved in a zone 44 at the location of the cutting edge 42. The relatively blunt cutting edge 42 first compresses the material to be cut in the respective zone 44, before the splinter 45 separates off. After the cut, the compressed material may spring back slightly. The process of compression and rebounding is uncontrolled and lacks stability. It is by this process that the microstructure 43 on the surface of the lowered edge region 10 is produced, so that a gloss level of 10 or less can be achieved. The microstructure 43 is formed by the base material 37 of the wear layer 9 itself.

It should be noted that the coated panel 1 from figures 1 to 7 also has the characteristic feature that the roughness of the lowered edge region 10 is matched to the roughness of the surface layer 11 present on the central surface 12 of the panel 1. At the location of the lowered edge region 10, the aforementioned wear layer 9 is free from the aforementioned coating or surface layer 11, but is provided with a microstructure of a roughness which differs by less than 0.5 micrometers Ra from the roughness of the microstructure of the surface layer 11. It will be clear that the microstructure is preferably formed from the material of the surface layer 11 itself or the base material 37 of the wear layer 9 itself, respectively, and that this microstructure does not permeate through a layer situated underneath.

Preferably, the roughness of the microstructure of the surface layer 11 is less than 1.5 pm Ra. Preferably, the aforementioned roughness determines the gloss level of the respective material. Preferably, this gloss level is 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530.

With reference to figure 8, it should be noted that it will be clear that in the case of a nonrotating cutting tool, as in the case of a scraper blade, the cutting movement C would be rectilinear, but that the other definitions and the effects as explained by means of figure 8 remain the same.

Preferably, the cutting tools of the present invention are arranged in a continuous milling machine, for example in a so-called double-end tenoner, which is able to provide the coupling means of the panel on at least two of its opposite edges by means of successive milling steps while the panel passes through. Preferably, the respective cutting tool is in this case situated upstream from at least one rotating milling tool for forming a portion of the profiled section of the respective coupling means. In this way, the amount of material to be removed by means of the cutting tool of the invention can be limited.

The invention furthermore also independently relates to a method for manufacturing or reconditioning a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool comprises one or more cutting sections made of PCD (polycrystalline diamond), preferably provided on a hard metal carrier, wherein this cutting section comprises a rake surface and a flank surface which are connected to each other by a cutting edge which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface and the flank surface, characterized by the fact that the method comprises laser-machining or laser-treating of at least the aforementioned cutting edge. Preferably, the radius R of the aforementioned cutting edge is between 2 and 200 pm, preferably between 5 and 22 pm. It will be clear that the above-described cutting tools can be produced by means of such a technique.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments, but such coated panels, methods for the manufacture thereof, and cutting tools which may be used therein can be produced without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1.- Method for manufacturing cutting tools, wherein the cutting tool (38) contains one or more cutting sections (39) having a rake surface (40) and a flank surface (41) which are connected to each other by a cutting edge (42) which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (39), characterized in that the rake surface, the flank surface and the cutting edge are shaped by means of laser treatment, wherein the radius (R) of the cutting edge (42) is between 2 and 200 pm, and wherein the wedge angle (G) between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (41) is preferably less than 80°.

2.- Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the wedge angle (G) between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (41) is between 60 and 75° and/or the radius (R) of the cutting edge (42) is between 5 and 22 pm.

3.- Method in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforementioned one or more cutting sections (39) consist of poly crystalline diamond (PCD), which are preferably provided on a hard metal carrier.

4.- Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool comprises several similar or identical cutting sections (39), preferably uniformly distributed over the circumference of the cutting tool (38).

5.- Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned tool comprises the cutting sections (39) of one or more scraper blades.

6.- Method in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the aforementioned tool comprises several such cutting sections (39), wherein at least two such cutting sections (39) are provided with a different geometry, for example with a mutually different radius (R) of the cutting edge (42), wherein the difference is preferably at least 10 pm, or at least 25 pm.

7.- Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rake angle (J) is preferably between 5 and 12° and/or the flank angle (K) is preferably between 0 and 15°, better still between 0 and 5°.

8.- Method in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned laser treatment also has one or more of the following properties:

- the laser treatment is performed in a processing machine having at least 5 axes of movement, wherein preferably a laser nozzle is able to follow or scan the contours of the surface to be treated and/or wherein preferably a minimum nozzle distance to the surface to be treated is maintained;

- the laser beam is surrounded by a gas;

- the laser treatment uses a fiber laser, for example an Ytterbium fiber laser;

- the laser treatment uses laser light with a wave length of 1000 to 1100 nanometers, for example approximately 1070 nanometers.

9.- Method in accordance with one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the aforementioned cutting section, instead of being shaped by means of a laser treatment, is shaped by means of a wire EDM process, wherein, at least on the aforementioned cutting edge, a roughness is achieved of between 1.6 and 6.3 pm Ra.

10.- Cutting tool comprising the cutting section (39) of one or more scraper blades for use in a method for manufacturing a coated panel comprising a substrate (6) and a decorative top layer (7), wherein the aforementioned decorative top layer (7) comprises a print (8) and a transparent wear layer (9) provided on top thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of forming a lowered edge region by means of at least one of aforementioned scraper blades on at least one edge, characterized in that the cutting section (39) comprises a rake surface (40) and a flank surface (41) which are connected to each other by a cutting edge (42) which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (39), characterized in that the radius (R) of the cutting edge (42) is between 2 and 200 pm, and wherein the wedge angle (G) between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (41) is preferably less than 80°.

11.- Cutting tool in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the cutting section additionally has one or more of the following properties:

- the wedge angle (G) between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (41) is between 60 and 75°;

- the radius (R) of the cutting edge (42) is between 5 and 22 pm;

- the rake angle (J) is between 5 and 12°;

- the flank angle (K) is between 0 and 15°, better still between 0 and 5°;

- the cutting section (39) consists of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), which is preferably provided on a hard metal carrier;

- the rake surface (40), the flank surface (41) and/or the cutting edge (42) have a roughness of 1.6 to 6.3 pm Ra.

12.- Cutting tool in accordance with claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the tool comprises the cutting sections (39) of 4 tot 8 scraper blades.

13.- Cutting tool in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that at least two such cutting sections (39) are provided with a different geometry, for example with a mutually different radius (R) of the cutting edge (42), wherein the difference is preferably at least 10 pm, or at least 25 pm.

14.- Method for manufacturing coated panels comprising a substrate (6) and a decorative top layer (7), wherein the aforementioned decorative top layer (7) comprises a print (8) and a transparent wear layer (9) provided on top thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of forming a lowered edge region on at least one edge by means of a cutting tool produced in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 9 and/or having the characteristic features of one of the claims 10 to 13.

15.- Method in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that both the aforementioned print (8) and the aforementioned wear layer (9) extend in a continuous manner from the central surface (12) of the panel (1) over the aforementioned lowered edge region (10), wherein the aforementioned wear layer (9) has a gloss level of 10 or less, determined in accordance with DIN 67530, at the location of the lowered edge region (10).

16.- Method in accordance with claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a surface structure is produced on the aforementioned lowered edge region (10) which is rougher than at the location of the overall surface (12), and/or that the aforementioned wear layer (9) is compressed at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region (10).

17.- Method in accordance with one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the aforementioned lowered edge region (10) relates to a bevel.

18.- Method in accordance with one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the aforementioned bevel forms an angle (A) with the horizontal of less than 25°, or better still of 15° or less.

19.- Method in accordance with one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the surface of the aforementioned lowered edge region (10) is essentially formed by the aforementioned wear layer (9).

20.- Method in accordance with one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the produced coated panel furthermore has one or more of the following properties:

- the aforementioned print (8) extends in the same plane at the location of the aforementioned lowered edge region (10) as at the location of the central surface (12);

- the aforementioned wear layer (9) has a thickness (T) of 0.3 mm or more, but preferably of less than 0,75 mm, at the location of the central surface (12);

- the aforementioned wear layer (9) consists substantially consists of a thermoplastic, such as polyvinyl chloride;

- the aforementioned print (8) is provided on a thermoplastic carrier film (13);

- the aforementioned substrate (6) consists substantially consists of plastic and/or fillers; - the aforementioned coated panel (1) is provided on at least two opposite edges (2-3;4-5) with coupling means (15) which allow two such panels (1) to be coupled to each other at the respective edges, with an interlocking being achieved both in a vertical direction (VI) at right angles to the plane of the coupled panels (1) and in a horizontal direction (H1-H2) at right angles to the respective edges (2-3;4-5) in the plane of the coupled panels (1); preferably, the aforementioned coupling means (15) are substantially configured as a male coupling part (16), for example a tongue (19), and a female coupling part (17), for example a groove (20), wherein horizontally active interlocking surfaces (18) are formed in the coupled position which oppose the tendency of the coupled floor panels (1) to move apart.

21.- Coated panel achieved by means of a method having the characteristic features of one or more of claims 14 to 20.

22.- Method for manufacturing or reconditioning a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool comprises one or more cutting sections made of PCD (polycrystalline diamond), preferably provided on a hard metal carrier, wherein this cutting section comprises a rake surface (40) and a flank surface (41) which are connected to each other by a cutting edge (42) which is provided as a ridge between the rake surface (40) and the flank surface (39), characterized in that the method comprises laser-machining or laser-treating of at least the aforementioned cutting edge (42).

23.- Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the Radius (R) of the aforementioned cutting edge is between 2 and 200 pm, preferably between 5 and 22 pm.

24.- Use of a cutting tool manufactured or reconditioned in accordance with claim 22 or 23 in a method having the characteristic features of one of claims 14 to 20.