Machines For Boring Axially-Aligned Surfaces and Related Methods

A machine for boring axially-aligned surfaces of a part, wherein the axially-aligned surfaces are spaced from one another, the machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a boring apparatus associated with the frame, the boring apparatus being configured to bore at least one surface of the part, the boring apparatus comprising a boring bar associated with a cutting tool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the boring bar;
• a mounting fixture associated with the frame, the mounting fixture being configured to mount the part in a fixed relationship with respect to the frame;
• and
• an alignment assembly moveably associated with the frame, the alignment assembly being configured to support the boring bar such that the longitudinal axis of the boring bar is aligned with an axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part,
• wherein the alignment assembly comprises
• at least one pair of plates, and
• at least one adjustment screw configured to move at least one of the plates such that the longitudinal axis of the boring bar is aligned with an axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part.

A machine for boring axially-aligned surfaces of a part, wherein the axially-aligned surfaces are spaced from one another, the machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a boring apparatus associated with the frame, the boring apparatus being configured to bore at least one surface of the part, the boring apparatus comprising a boring bar associated with a cutting tool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the boring bar;
• a mounting fixture associated with the frame, the mounting fixture being configured to mount the part in a fixed relationship with respect to the frame;
• an alignment assembly movably associated with the frame, the alignment assembly comprising at least two spaced supports configured to support the boring bar such that the longitudinal axis of the boring bar is aligned with an axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part,
• wherein the alignment assembly further includes a bearing received by each of the supports, the bearings being configured to rotatably support the boring bar, and
• wherein the bearings are configured to provide an adjustable support surface defining an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boring bar.

A machine for boring axially-aligned surfaces of a part, wherein the axially-aligned surfaces are spaced from one another, the machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a boring apparatus associated with the frame, the boring apparatus being configured to bore at least one surface of the part, the boring apparatus comprising a boring bar associated with a cutting tool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the boring bar;
• a mounting fixture associated with the frame, the mounting fixture being configured to mount the part in a fixed relationship with respect to the frame;
• an alignment assembly movably associated with the frame, the alignment assembly comprising at least two spaced supports configured to rotatably support the boring bar such that the longitudinal axis of the boring bar is aligned with an axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part;
• and
• at least one indicator configured to provide an output indicative of a degree of alignment between the longitudinal axis defined by the boring bar and the axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part.

An alignment bar configured to facilitate positioning of spaced supports that receive a boring bar for boring spaced, axially-aligned surfaces of a part, the alignment bar comprising:

• a shaft configured to have a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the boring bar, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the alignment bar and a length sufficient to extend between the spaced supports;
• a first transducer associated with the shaft, the first transducer being configured to provide a first signal indicative of a distance between the longitudinal axis of the alignment bar and a first one of the spaced, axially-aligned surfaces;
• and
• a second transducer associated with the shaft and spaced from the first transducer, the second transducer being configured to provide a second signal indicative of a distance between the longitudinal axis of the alignment bar and a second one of the spaced, axially-aligned surfaces,
• wherein the alignment bar is configured to be received by the spaced supports such that movement of the alignment bar in the spaced supports results in the first and second transducers providing first and second signals that collectively indicate a degree of alignment between the longitudinal axis of the alignment bar and an axis defined by the spaced axially-aligned surfaces.

A method for aligning a boring bar of a boring machine with an axis defined by axially-aligned surfaces of a part, the boring machine being configured to bore at least one of the axially-aligned surfaces, the method comprising:

• mounting the part in a fixed manner relative to a frame of the boring machine;
• inserting an alignment bar into a pair of spaced supports of the boring machine configured to rotatably support the boring bar;
• moving at least one of the supports into a position such that a longitudinal axis of the alignment bar is aligned with the axis defined by the axially-aligned surfaces of the part;
• fixing the position of the at least one support;
• removing the alignment bar from the spaced supports;
• and
• inserting the boring bar into the pair of spaced supports.