Method and apparatus for abrasively cutting objects
AssigneeWestern Gear Corporation
InventorRobert F. Obear
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unique method and apparatus for making a score cut on a metal object with a previously used abrasive cutting wheel, worn down from a new, larger diameter wheel to allow use of worn cutting wheels and to improve the ratio of cross-sectional area of metal material cut to cross-sectional area of wheel used. Another feature is the use of a hydraulic bearing for reducing friction between the object rotating chuck stands and the track on which the stands are moved by simultaneously flushing the abrasive particles from the track. In one embodiment, the flushing material is recycled to replenish the coolant reservoir fluid loss through evaporation.
Claims20
The method of abrasively cutting elongated metal objects, comprising:
- rotating the object about its longitudinal axis,
- moving a used, small, rigid abrasive cutting wheel, worn from a larger cutting wheel, into engagement with the object in a direction parallel to the plane of the cutting wheel to make a scoring cut around the object,
- moving a larger diameter, more flexible cutting wheel of the type from which the smaller wheel was formed into engagement with the object also in a direction parallel to the plane of the larger cutting wheel and into the scoring cut formed by the smaller cutting wheel,
- rotating the larger cutting wheel at one angular velocity and rotating the smaller cutting wheel at a generally higher angular velocity to produce peripheral surface speeds at the cutting surfaces of the two cutting wheels which are the preferred speeds for the respective size abrasive wheels, and
- limiting the rotational speed of the object to below 4 rpm so that a deep spiral band cut is produced by the cutting wheels.
Apparatus for abrasively cutting metal objects, comprising:
- means for rotating the object at a slow rate of speed in a first direction,
- first rotatable abrasive cutting wheel means,
- second rotatable abrasive cutting wheel means of a diameter larger than said first cutting wheel means but of identical width,
- means for rotating the wheels,
- means for moving the cutting wheels into the object at a variable feed rate but with a constant force, and
- control means for initially moving the first cutting wheel into the object to make a scoring cut and subsequently moving the second wheel into the scoring cut to make a finishing cut.
The method of abrasively cutting elongated metal objects, comprising:
- rotating the object about its longitudinal axis in a first direction,
- first pivoting from one direction a small, used, rigid cutting wheel, formed from a larger cutting wheel, into engagement with the object along a path perpendicular to the object, from below the object and in the plane of the cutting wheel to make a score cut,
- subsequently pivoting from a generally opposite direction above the object a larger diameter, cutting wheel of a width identical with the smaller wheel, into engagement with the object also in a path perpendicular to the object and in the same plane as the smaller cutting wheel but on the opposite side of the object from the smaller wheel, and
- rotating the larger cutting wheel in a rotational direction opposite said object rotational first direction and rotating the smaller wheel in a direction the same as said object first direction for climb cutting during the scoring cut.
The method of abrasively cutting metal objects, comprising:
- moving a small, used, rigid rotating cutting wheel, formed from a new larger cutting wheel, into engagement with the object in the plane of the wheel and perpendicular to the surface of the object to produce a scoring cut,
- moving a larger, rotating cutting wheel of the type from which the smaller wheel is formed by wear into engagement with the object in the same plane and into the scoring cut, whereby the larger wheel is guided by the scoring cut.
Apparatus for abrasively cutting metal objects, comprising:
- means for rotating a small diameter uniform thickness cutting wheel, at a speed preferred for that diameter wheel,
- means for rotating a larger diameter cutting wheel of the identical uniform thickness at a speed preferred for the larger diameter wheel,
- means for supporting the object to be cut,
- means for moving the small diameter wheel into the object to make a scoring cut,
- means for subsequently moving the larger diameter wheel into engagement with the object in the scoring cut, and
- means for holding both cutting wheels in engagement with the work for simultaneous supplemental cutting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.