Tube cutting machine with break-off means

In a tube cutting machine having a cutting station, the combination of power feed means for axially advancing an elongated section of tubing whereby successively to present at said cutting station trailing end portions of leading end tube sections to be severed, intermittently operable clamping means successively engageable with said section of tubing rearwardly of said trailing end portions to secure the same for cutting, a centrally apertured rotary cutting head at said cutting station adapted successively to receive said leading end tube sections, said head having at least one small rotary cutter adjacent said central aperture mounted for generally radial inward and outward movement respectively to engage and cut said leading end tube sections at their trailing end portions and to withdraw from engagement therewith, power operated means for rotating said cutter head and for intermittently moving said rotary cutter inwardly and outwardly for successive cutting operations, said means including a precise and positive mechanism which is mechanical throughout and which is operable to effect radial inward cutter movement while the cutter head is rotating, and said means also including separate positive drive means respectively for rotating said cutter head and for causing said mechanical mechanism to effect said radial inward cutter movement, adjustable means operable on the positive drive means for the positive mechanical mechanism effecting cutter movement and imposing a positive limit on said mechanism to precisely limit inward cutter movement in accordance with tube diameter and wall thickness whereby to provide a circumferentially uniform partial cut of controlled depth at each said trailing end portion, and intermittently operable means for successively applying sharp generally radially directed forces to leading end sections forwardly of their trailing edge portions whereby successively to break off said sections subsequent to said partial cutting operations.