Free form cutting machine
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsPiotr S. Trzaskos, John P. Ternus, Carlo Catalano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A free form cutting machine is disclosed. The free form cutting machine includes a table, a spindle; and a cutting arrangement attached to the spindle. The cutting arrangement having at least a cutting tool used to cutting selected portions from a workpiece on the table. The free form cutting machine causes the cutting tool to apply a continuous shaping force to the surface of the workpiece until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape.
Claims25
A method of machining a workpiece, comprising:
- applying a continuous shaping force to a surface of the workpiece by a cutting tool until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape;
- and
- wherein the cutting tool is maintained at a predetermined cutting tool angle at all points on the workpiece surface, in accordance with the surface of the workpiece, despite rapid variations in workpiece surface geometry.
A free form cutting machine, comprising:
- a table;
- a spindle;
- and
- a cutting arrangement attached to the spindle, the cutting arrangement having at least a cutting tool used to cutting selected portions from a workpiece on the table, wherein the free form cutting machine causes the cutting tool to apply a continuous shaping force to the surface of the workpiece until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape.
Non-transient computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by a processor coupled to a free form cutting machining for machining a workpiece, comprising:
- computer code for applying a continuous shaping force to a surface of the workpiece by a cutting tool until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape, wherein the cutting tool is maintained at a predetermined cutting tool angle at all points on the workpiece surface, in accordance with the surface of the workpiece, despite rapid variations in workpiece surface geometry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.