Automatic Deflashing RRIM
AssigneeMagna International Inc.
InventorsPatrick Chi-Tak Cheung, Paul Arthur Trudeau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutting tool assembly is provided for removing flash portions and gates from a molded article. The cutting tool assembly includes a holder device including an upper plate, a cylindrical collar, and a bearing disposed between the upper plate and the cylindrical collar to allow movement of the cylindrical collar relative to the upper plate. The cutting tool assembly further includes a cutting member fixedly secured to the cylindrical collar wherein movement of the cylindrical collar relative to the upper plate provides the cutting member with degrees of rotational freedom to float relative to the molded article during trimming of the flash portions and gates.
Claims12
A cutting tool assembly for removing flash portions and gates from a molded article, said cutting tool assembly comprising a holder device including an upper plate, a cylindrical collar, and a bearing disposed between said upper plate and said cylindrical collar to allow movement of said cylindrical collar relative to said upper plate, said cutting tool assembly further including a cutting member fixedly secured to said cylindrical collar wherein movement of said cylindrical collar relative to said upper plate provides said cutting member with rotational degrees of freedom to float relative to the molded article during trimming of the flash portions and gates.
A method of automatically trimming flash portions and gates from a molded article utilizing a robotic arm, a compliance force device, and a cutting tool assembly including an upper plate fixedly mounted to the compliance force device and a cutting member movable relative to the upper plate, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the cutting tool assembly in contact with the molded article;
- moving the cutting tool assembly along the molded article to trim the flash portions and gates on the molded article;
- providing movement of the cutting member relative to the upper plate as the cutting tool assembly moves along the molded article;
- and
- controlling the amount of force applied to the cutting member by the compliance force device to maintain the cutting member in contact with the molded article along varying contours thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.