Laser assisted saw device
OwnerJohn A. Mackeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for eliminating chipping at the exit surface of a saw blade through material such as wood or the like, the apparatus including a laser source emitting a laser beam which is focused to provide one or more grooves at the surface of the wood in general alignment with the line of cut in advance thereof. In a first embodiment a single groove is formed by a focused laser beam at a spot just ahead of the saw blade which may be positioned for one edge of the teeth thereof cutting through the center of the groove to produce one finished cut edge. In the other embodiments, two focused beams are created from a single beam for producing parallel grooves at a width approximating the width of cut of the saw blade to produce finished edges on both sides of the saw cut.
Claims14
In a method for producing a relatively chip-free cut edge in a group of materials consisting of wood and plastic cut by a saw blade, the method comprising:
- providing a laser beam;
- focusing the laser beam on the surface of the wood to sufficient power density to vaporize the wood;
- and
- translating the focused laser spot relative to the wood to cut a groove on the side of the wood wherein chip-out prevention is desired and in advance of the saw blade cut.
In an apparatus for use in conjunction with a saw blade for providing a generally chip-free cut edge in a group of material consisting of wood and plastic, the combination comprising:
- a source of laser energy for providing a laser beam;
- and
- means for focusing the laser beam to a spot at the surface of the piece of wood for cutting a groove of a predetermined width and of a predetermined depth as the wood is moved relative to the focused spot, said focused spot being in general alignment with the line of the saw cut for producing a generally chip-free cut edge.
In a method for producing a relatively chip-free edge in a material such as wood or plastic, said method comprising:
- laser cutting at least one groove in a surface of the material, said groove having a predetermined depth and width along the intended line of cut;
- and
- passing a saw blade through said material with the teeth thereof exiting through the side with said groove with at least one edge of the teeth passing through the groove for providing a generally chip-free cut edge adjacent thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.