Method and apparatus for forming matching tapered surfaces on interfitting male and female parts

Abstract

Matching tapered surfaces are cut on male and female parts to be interfitted along the tapered surfaces by utilizing a lathe, having a motor driven tail stock opposite a conventional head stock, with the tail stock being mounted relative to the bed of the lathe for adjustable movement to position the tail stock at a desired taper angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the lathe. The tail stock is equipped with a "direct mounting" chuck having jaws for holding the parts during the taper cutting operation. In one operation, the male part, which is hollow, is gripped internally thereof by the tail stock chuck, and the taper is cut on the external surface of the part by movement of the cutting tool in a horizontal plane parallel to the centerline of the lathe. Since the tail stock has been preset at the desired tapered angle, the external surface of the male part will be cut with the desired taper. The male part is then removed from the chuck and then the female part is mounted on the chuck of the tail stock by engaging the jaws of the chuck on the external surface of the female part. The cutting tool is then moved in a horizontal plane to enter the internal passage of the female part and to cut the taper along the internal surface thereof. Since the angular setting of the tail stock remains the same as that previously set for cutting the male part, the internal taper cut on the female part will exactly correspond to the male part so that when these parts are ultimately fitted together, there should be substantial contact between the tapered surfaces thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.