High speed multi-axis machine tool
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorJulius Malte Schoop
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for three dimensional cutting of a multi-axis feature into a workpiece that are at least partially characterized by a lack of rotationally symmetrical tools and an ability to produce high aspect ratio (depth to diameter) features using mechanical machining. The apparatus includes a base, a displaceable machine table supported on that base, a displaceable spindle supported on the base adjacent the machine table, a cutting tool held in a chuck carried on the spindle and a control module. The control module includes a controller and a plurality of actuators to provide precise displacement of the machine table, spindle, cutting tool and the workpiece for cutting multi-axis surface features into the workpiece.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a base;
- a displaceable machine table supported on the base;
- a displaceable spindle supported on the base adjacent the machine table, said spindle including a chuck;
- a cutting tool held in said chuck on said spindle;
- a workpiece holder adapted for holding a workpiece;
- and
- a control module including a controller adapted to control a plurality of at least five actuators whereby precise relative movement of said displaceable machine table, the workpiece and said displaceable spindle provides for multi-axis linear movement of the cutting tool relative to the workpiece without continuous rotation of the tool relative to the workpiece for three dimensional cutting of a multi-axis feature in the workpiece held in the workpiece holder on said machine table.
A method of cutting a multi-axis feature in a workpiece with a single point cutting tool, comprising:
- providing for multi-axis linear movement of the cutting tool relative to the workpiece without continuous rotation of the tool relative to the workpiece for three dimensional cutting of the multi-axis feature in the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.