Replication apparatus

Apparatus for replicating three-dimensional articles comprising:

• (a) base frame means, first and second holder means secured to said base frame means for retaining the article to be replicated and a blank workpiece respectively, and laterally spaced opposed rail means secured to said base frame means for supporting a cutter assembly carriage thereon;
• (b) said first and second holder means each including axially aligned opposed gripping means with said first and second holder means being spaced apart a predetermined distance along parallelly disposed axes, said gripping means being journaled within said base frame means for axial rotation about said parallel axes, and means for rotating said opposed gripping means in unison, one with the other;
• (c) a longitudinally movable cutter assembly comprising a cutter head, motor means for driving said cutter head about a certain cutting axis, stylus means spaced from said cutter head and having a contact tip for making contact with the surface of said article to be replicated, said contact tip being spaced from the axis of said cutter head by a distance equal to said predetermined distance, and a parallelogram working frame supporting said cutter assembly and including a pair of opposed mounting brackets slidably disposed on said opposed rail means;
• (d) first and second parallelly disposed transverse shafts secured to said mounting brackets, each said transverse shaft having a pair of rocker arms journably mounted thereon, each said pair of rocker arms forming upper and lower members of said parallelogram working frame, said rocker arms being journaled for both pivotal and slidable motion upon said transverse shafts;
• (e) a pair of laterally disposed bell cranks journably coupled to laterally opposed ends of said pairs of rocker arms to form one generally vertical end of said parallelogram working frame and with said laterally disposed bell cranks supporting a cross-member having a surface upon which said cutter assembly is supported, said cutter assembly being arranged for generally vertical up-and-down reciprocal motion with said rocker arms;
• and
• (f) a pair of laterally opposed counterweight supporting brackets secured to said pairs of rocker arms in opposed relationship to said bell cranks and supporting a counterweight substantially balancing the weight of said cutter assembly.