Method and apparatus for cutting sheet metal
OwnerWilf Koendersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for cutting sheet metal pieces from a sheet metal coil comprises a coil support adapted to support the sheet metal coil such that same may rotate about the coil axis to unroll an end portion of the sheet metal coil and a sheet support adapted to support the end portion for cutting. A cutting head is mounted above the end portion and is operative to cut through the end portion. A cutting head drive is operative to move the cutting head back and forth along a first path parallel to the coil axis and a sheet metal drive is operative to move the end portion forward and rearward along a second path perpendicular to the coil axis. A computer is operative to control and coordinate the sheet metal drive and the cutting head drive such that the pieces are cut from the end portion.
Claims19
An apparatus for cutting sheet metal pieces from a sheet metal coil, said sheet metal coil having a coil axis, said apparatus comprising:
- a coil support adapted to support said sheet metal coil such that same may rotate about said coil axis to unroll an end portion of said sheet metal coil;
- a sheet support adapted to support said end portion for cutting;
- a cutting head mounted above said sheet support and end portion and operative to cut through said end portion;
- a cutting head drive operative to move said cutting head back and forth along a first path substantially parallel to said coil axis;
- a sheet metal drive operative to move said end portion forward and rearward along a second path substantially perpendicular to said coil axis;
- a computer operative to control and coordinate said cutting head drive and said sheet metal drive such that said pieces are cut from said end portion.
A method of cutting sheet metal pieces from a sheet metal coil, said sheet metal coil having a coil axis, said method comprising:
- positioning an end portion from said sheet metal coil to rest on a sheet support;
- moving a cutting head back and forth above said end portion and said sheet support along a first path parallel to said coil axis to cut said end portion;
- moving said end portion forward and rearward along a second path perpendicular to said coil axis;
- coordinating the movements of said cutting head and said end portion along said first and second paths with a computer such that said pieces are cut from said end portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.