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US 2011/0056344 A1Published application
Gauge system for workpiece processing
AssigneeLean Tool Systems, LLC
InventorsSpencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, Brennan J. McClure, David L. Lee, Brandon J. Vaughn, Simon A. Soot, Norman F. Gorny, Matthew T. Harris, Richard R. Gilmore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.
Claims20
A gauge system for cutting workpieces for use in miter joints, comprising:
- a stop configured to be abutted with workpieces;
- a drive assembly connected to the stop and capable of driving the stop back and forth along a linear measurement axis that intersects a cutting path of a saw to define an origin;
- and
- a controller programmed (i) to receive a width and a target dimension of a product to be generated from a workpiece, (ii) to determine at least one miter offset based on the width, to compensate for a miter at one or both ends of the product, (iii) to calculate an adjusted dimension at least in part by incorporating the miter offset into the target dimension, and (iv) to control operation of the drive assembly based on the adjusted dimension such that the stop is driven to an adjusted position spaced from the origin according to the adjusted dimension.
1 more element
A gauge system for cutting workpieces for use in miter joints, comprising:
- a longitudinal fence;
- a transverse fence configured to be abutted with ends of workpieces;
- a drive assembly connected to the transverse fence and capable of driving the transverse fence back and forth along the longitudinal fence and along a measurement axis that intersects a cutting path of a saw to define an origin;
- and
- a controller programmed (i) to receive a width and a target dimension of a product to be generated from a workpiece, (ii) to determine at least one miter offset based on the width, to compensate for a miter at one or both ends of the product, (iii) to calculate an adjusted dimension at least in part by incorporating the miter offset into the target dimension, and (iv) to control operation of the drive assembly based on the adjusted dimension such that the transverse fence is driven to an adjusted position spaced from the origin according to the adjusted dimension.
2 more elements
A method of preparing a workpiece for use in a miter joint, comprising:
- providing (a) a saw defining a cutting path, (b) a guide member extending parallel to a measurement axis that intersects the cutting path to define an origin, (c) a stop connected to the guide member, (d) a drive assembly that drives the stop back and forth along the measurement axis to different separations from the origin, and (e) a controller programmed to control operation of the drive assembly;
- entering into the controller a width and a target dimension of a product to be generated from a workpiece, the product having a miter at one or both ends;
- commanding the controller to position the stop with compensation for the miter such that the controller controls operation of the drive assembly based on the width and the target dimension to drive the stop to an adjusted position spaced from the origin according to an adjusted dimension that incorporates at least one miter offset into the target dimension;
- and
- cutting the workpiece with the saw, while an end of the workpiece is disposed against the stop held at the adjusted position, to generate the product.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.