US 4,435,975 A · Apparatus and method for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member may comprise: a frame assembly including a clamping device on which a metallic member may be placed for clamping the metallic member in a firmly fixed position; a broach frame mounted on the frame assembly for movement between a first position engageable by and against which the metallic member may be firmly clamped by the clamping device and a second position away from and not engageable by the metallic member when on the clamping device; a broach blade having cutting surfaces thereon carried by the broach frame for reciprocal movement, when the broach frame is in the first position, between a first terminal and a second terminal position for cutting a flat surface on the metallic member when clamped against the broach frame; and a power device mounted on the frame assembly and attached to the broach blade between the first and second terminal positions. Also disclosed is a method of production line hardness testing of metallic members utilizing the apparatus of the present invention.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Apparatus for cutting a flat surface on and testing the hardness of a metallic member comprising:

frame means including clamping means on which said metallic member may be placed for clamping said metallic member in a firmly fixed positon;
tester head means mounted on said frame means in a fixed position directly above said clamping means;
a broach frame mounted on said frame means for movement between a first position below said tester head means, above said metallic member and engageable by said metallic member and against which said metallic member may be firmly clamped by said clamping means and a second position away from said tester head means and not engageable by said metallic member when on said clamping means, allowing said metallic member to be firmly clamped against said tester head means by said clamping means;
a broach blade having cutting means thereon carried by said broach frame for reciprocal movement, when said broach frame is in said first position, between a first terminal position and a second terminal position for cutting a flat surface on said metallic member when clamped against said broach frame;
and
power means mounted on said frame means and attached to said broach blade for moving said broach blade between said first and second terminal positions.

3 more elements

A method of production line hardness testing of metallic specimens utilizing apparatus which includes a hardness tester head:

a broach assembly;
a frame for supporting said hardness tester head, said broach assembly and said metallic specimens to be tested;
a clamping device for clamping said specimens against said broach assembly and said tester head;
said tester head including a housing, a reciprocal penetrator shaft, one end of which is adapted for contact with said metallic specimens and operating means for reciprocation of said penetrator shaft and for applying predetermined forces thereto for penetration of said metallic specimens by said end of said penetrator shaft;
said method comprising the steps of:
placing one of said metallic specimens on said frame and applying a first clamping force through said clamping device for firmly clamping said specimen against said broach assembly, said broach assembly being interposed between said tester head and said specimen;
cutting a flat surface on said specimen with said broach assembly;
removing said first clamping force and displacing said broach assembly from between said tester head and said specimen;
raising said specimen to said tester head and applying a second clamping force through said clamping device for firmly clamping said specimen against said tester head;
applying said predetermined forces to said penetrator shaft by said operating means of said penetration of said metallic specimen, the axis of said penetrator shaft being perpendicular to said flat surface thereon;
determining the amount of penetration of said metallic specimen by said penterator shaft end;
and
correlating said amoung of penetration with the hardness of said metallic specimen.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18