Cutting head for use in a non-contact cutting process
AssigneeF.I.A. Futurologie Industrielle Automation GmbH
InventorAvner De-Swaan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cutting head for use in a non-contact process of cutting a work piece that is attractable by a magnetic force, the cutting head including a cutting tip, apparatus for sensing proximity of a work piece to the cutting tip, and selectable operable magnetic apparatus for attracting a slug formed from the work piece, the magnetic apparatus being arranged within the cutting head so as not to interfere with the operation of the apparatus for sensing.
Claims23
A cutting head for use in a non-contact process of cutting a work piece that is attractable by a magnetic force, said cutting head comprising:
- a cutting tip;
- means for sensing proximity of a work piece to said cutting tip;
- and
- selectably operable magnetic means for attracting a slug formed from the work piece, said magnetic means being arranged within said cutting head so as not to interfere with the operation of said means for sensing.
Non-contact cutting apparatus for use in a non-contact process of cutting a work piece that is attractable by a magnetic force, said non-contact cutting apparatus including a cutting head which comprises:
- a cutting tip;
- means for sensing proximity of a work piece to said cutting tip;
- and
- selectably operable magnetic means for attracting a slug formed from the work piece, said magnetic means being arranged within said cutting head so as not to interfere with the operation of said means for sensing.
A non-contact cutting method comprising the following steps:
- moving a non-contact cutting head towards a work piece that is attractable by a magnetic force;
- sensing the proximity of the work piece to said cutting head;
- directing, via said cutting head, a beam of energy at the work piece so as to cut through the work piece so as to form an aperture therein and thereby form a slug;
- generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of said cutting head so as to attract the slug thereto;
- moving said cutting head to a slug release location;
- and
- removing said magnetic field so as to release the slug from said cutting head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.