Cutting method and machine employing heated reciprocating wire
OwnerJan J. Pattersoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Combustible materials, including plastic sheets, plates, and blocks, also leather and all varieties of wood, may be cut along predetermined lines by engaging same with a heated reciprocating wire at temperatures which vaporizes the material rather than melting same. The machine providesa reciprocating wire which is heated by electrical resistance. A system of air quenching of the wire above and below the cutting zone is employed in order to attain incandescent temperatures at the point of cutting.
Claims21
In a cutting device:
- an elongated cutting wire, support means for elongating and supporting said cutting wire at spaced locations for reciprocating to be engaged by a material (including sheet plastic and the like) for the cutting thereof, drive means for driving said support means to reciprocate said wire substantially to retrace the path of the wire in one direction of substantial longitudinal movement and thence in the opposite direction, and electrical means connected to said wire for supplying electrical current to cause said wire to become heated to maintain a cutting temperature in excess of 1,000.degree. F. while in motion.
In an apparatus for cutting solid sheet plastic material and the like:
- a machine frame, means on said frame defining a space in which is mounted a reciprocating cutting wire and in which may be inserted the sheet plastic and the like to be cut, a cutting wire mounted for reciprocating movement on said frame, an endless drive member having one end connected to the other end of the cutting wire whereby reciprocation of said drive member reciprocates said cutting wire, upper guide means and lower guide means through which said cutting wire is guided during reciprocation thereof, and said upper and lower guide means being mounted adjacent the opening, a plurality of pulleys having said drive cable engaged thereabout for directing said drive cable in an endless manner on said machine frame, a first drive pulley and a second drive pulley, an endless belt mounted on said first and second drive pulleys, an electrical drive motor and means for driving said first drive pulley from said electrical motor, a first electrical conducting member attached to one side of said endless member, a second electrical conducting member attached to the other side of said reciprocating cutting wire, a source of electrical energy having said first and second electrical cables connected thereto, control means for controlling the current supply to said first and second conductor means.
In a method of cutting combustible material such as sheet plastic or wood boards and the like, the steps of:
- reciprocating a wire, electrically heating said wire to maintain a cutting temperature in excess of 1,000.degree. at which said plastic, wood or other material in the path of said wire is caused to vaporize rather than melt whereby the material being cut does not melt and collect in the cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.