Automatic cutting bit recovery
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorLarisa A. Elman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In the present invention, the breakage of a cutting tool is sensed during a cutting operation of stock on a lathe. A boundary is defined around the stock. The cutting tool is withdrawn stepwise along the same path taken up to the point of breakage. After each step, inquiry is made as to whether the tool has crossed the boundary. When it does, the tool is brought directly to a tool changing station without further stepwise withdrawal.
Claims10
A method of positioning a cutting bit at a tool change position in a machining apparatus which drives the cutting bit along a first path in a first direction to machine a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- retracting the cutting bit along the first path in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- determining whether the cutting bit has reached a predetermined safe zone boundary as the cutting bit is being retracted;
- and
- moving the cutting bit to the tool change position along a second path different from the first path when the tool has reached the safe zone boundary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.