Apparatus for trimming workpieces
AssigneeGeorge Fischer Ltd.
InventorRudolf Pavlovsky
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Abstract
An automatic method of trimming portions of a workpiece such as a casting includes moving a trimming tool along the contour of the workpiece while imparting linear or rotary cutting motion to the tool, detecting the deflection of the tool as it follows the contour, and using signals representative of the deflection detection to control the contour-following tool motion. Apparatus for performing this method includes proximity detectors in the tool support or elastic deformation sensors such as strain gauges, in various embodiments. The tool itself acts as a pattern follower as well as the trimmer, using the workpiece as the pattern.
Claims10
An apparatus for trimming a predetermined portion of a workpiece adjacent a major surface contour of the workpiece comprising
- means for supporting the workpiece;
- an elongated trimming tool having a transverse end surface defining a cutting edge at the distal end of the tool;
- means for imparting repetitively reciprocating longitudinal cutting motion to said trimming tool;
- means for moving said distal end of said trimming tool into cutting contact with the predetermined portion such that the side surfaces thereof repetitively contact the major surface contour;
- means supporting said tool and for detecting lateral force on said tool resulting from contact of a portion of said tool with said surface and for producing a signal representative of said force;
- and
- means responsive to said signal to control said means for moving, whereby said trimming tool is caused to follow said major surface contour as a guiding pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.