Follower mechanism and control for rotary metal removing tools
OwnerJohn H. Bremsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism and control for mechanically moving a rotary metal removing tool such as a milling cutter or grinder in a path determined by a regular or irregular contour of a work part. The control is such that the tool may move at a constant feed rate or at a variable rate, for example, more slowly, in areas where a heavier cut is necessary. A contour cam controls the tool position and a second cam controls the feed rate in either a constant or variable velocity as determined by the workpiece.
Claims5
In a contour machining operation in which it is desired to move a cutting tool along a predetermined planar path at a predetermined feed rate, a mechanical system comprising:
- (a) a frame,
- (b) movable support means mounted on said frame which supports:
- (c) a means for machining comprising a drive motor, a spindle driven by said drive motor, and a work processing tool member mounted on said spindle,
- (d) first cam means mounted on said frame,
- (e) guide means mounted on said movable support means, axially coincident with said spindle and cooperating with said first cam means to guide said tool member along said predetermined path, and
- (f) mechanical drive means for driving said guide means along said predetermined path at a constant velocity.
In a contour machining operation in which it is desired to move a cutting tool along a predetermined planar path at a predetermined feed rate, a mechanical system comprising:
- (a) a frame,
- (b) movable support means mounted on said frame which supports:
- (c) a means for machining comprising a drive motor, a spindle driven by said drive motor, and a work processing tool member mounted on said spindle,
- (d) first cam means mounted on said frame,
- (e) guide means mounted on said movable support means, axially coincident with said spindle and cooperating with said first cam means to guide said tool member along said predetermined path, and
- (f) mechanical drive means for driving said guide means along said predetermined path at a controlled variable velocity such that the rate of volumetric metal removal is substantially constant.
In a contour machining operation in which it is desired to move a cutting tool along a predetermined planar path at a predetermined feed rate, a mechanical system comprising:
- (a) a frame,
- (b) movable support means mounted on said frame which supports:
- (c) a means for machining comprising a drive motor, a spindle drive by said drive motor, and a work processing tool member mounted on said spindle,
- (d) first cam means mounted on said frame,
- (e) guide means mounted on said movable support means, axially coincident with said spindle and cooperating with said first cam means to guide said tool member along said predetermined path,
- (f) mechanical drive means for driving said guide means along said predetermined path at a predetermined controlled velocity along said path,
- (g) said movable support means comprising:
- (1) a first link member pivotally supported from said frame on a first axis parallel to the axis of said spindle,
- (2) a second link member pivotally supported from said first link member on a second axis parallel to said first axis,
- (h) said mechanical drive means comprising:
- (1) a drive shaft mounting for rotation in said frame in a fourth axis substantially parallel to said first and second axes and lying within said predetermined path,
- (2) slot follower means mounted on said guide means,
- (3) a slotted drive arm member mounted on said drive shaft in driving engagement with said slot follower means, and
- (4) torque means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft at a predetermined non-constant angular velocity, and
- (i) said torque means comprising:
- (1) an input shaft mounted for rotation in said frame on an axis substantially coincident with said fourth axis,
- (2) a crank member mounted on said input shaft,
- (3) a bellcrank member having two outboard corners and pivotally connected at a point between said corners to the outboard end of said crank member,
- (4) a cam follower member mounted on one corner of said bellcrank member,
- (5) second cam means mounted on said frame in operational engagement with said cam follower member,
- (6) drive arm means mounted on said drive shaft and in operational engagement with said other corner of said bellcrank member, and
- (7) power means on said frame for driving said input shaft at a substantially constant angular velocity.
In a contour machining operation in which it is desired to move a cutting tool along a predetermined planar path at a predetermined feed rate, a mechanical system comprising:
- (a) a frame,
- (b) movable support means mounted on said frame which supports:
- (c) a means for machining comprising a drive motor, a spindle driven by said drive motor, and a work processing tool member mounted on said spindle,
- (d) first cam means mounted on said frame,
- (e) guide means mounted on said movable support means, axially coincident with said spindle and cooperating with said first can means to guide said tool member along said predetermined path, and
- (f) mechanical drive means for driving said guide means along said predetermined path at a predetermined controlled velocity along said path,
- (g) said movable support means comprising a first link member pivotally supported from said frame on a first axis parallel to the axis of said spindle, and a second link member pivotally supported from said first link member on a second axis parallel to said first axis, and
- (h) said mechanical drive means comprising:
- (1) a drive shaft mounted for rotation in said frame on a fourth axis substantially parallel to said first and second axes and lying within said predetermined path,
- (2) slot follower means mounted on said guide means,
- (3) a slotted drive arm member mounted on said drive shaft in driving engagement with said slot follower means, and
- (4) torque means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft at a predetermined non-constant angular velocity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.