# US 5,700,384 A · Method of manufacturing a split master link by electrical discharge machining > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,700,384 A - Document ID: US5700384A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/554,923 - Filed: 1995-11-09 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-11-09 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Jean-Louis Marchand; Michel Palomera; Michel Peeters; Jean-Paul Salomon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700384A ## CPC - B62D 55/213: {Master track links} - B23H 9/00: Machining specially adapted for treating particular metal objects or for obtaining special effects or results on metal objects (heat treatment by cathodic discharge C21D1/38) - B62D 55/205: Connections between track links - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B23H: WORKING OF METAL BY THE ACTION OF A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF ELECTRIC CURRENT ON A WORKPIECE USING AN ELECTRODE WHICH TAKES THE PLACE OF A TOOL; SUCH WORKING COMBINED WITH OTHER FORMS OF WORKING OF METAL (processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings, electroforming, or apparatus therefor C25D; processes for the electrolytic removal of material from objects C25F; manufacturing printed circuits using precipitation techniques to apply the conductive material to form the desired conductive pattern H05K3/18) ## Abstract A method for manufacturing an endless track split master link consisting of forming a split master link process blank, machining the bores for the link pins to engage the adjacent track links and for accepting a securing apparatus, securing the process blank in an Electrical Discharge Cutting Machine tool (EDM) by placing mandrels in the EDM through the link pin bores, calculating a cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces between the link pin bores, storing the calculated cutting path in a memory in the EDM, actuating a cutting element along the calculated cutting path, emplacing a securing apparatus, and removing the split master link from the mandrels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing a split master link for use in an endless track, the method comprised of: forming a split master link process blank; securing the split master link process blank in an electrical discharge cutting machine; and actuating a cutting element of the electrical discharge cutting machine along a cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces in the split master link process blank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of machining a first bore and a second bore in said split master link process blank separated by a distance A'. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of securing a first mandrel through said first bore and a second mandrel through said second bore. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of calculating said cutting path and storing said calculated cutting path in a memory means in the electrical discharge cutting machine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of calculating said cutting path further includes the step of calculating said cutting path along points in the x-axis and y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4 wherein said step of calculating said cutting path further includes the step of calculating said cutting path along points in the x-axis and y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system where the values of x and y are 0 at the axis of the first link pin bore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of machining a link securing hole in said split master link process blank. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of placing a securing means into said link securing hole in said split master link process blank. ### Claim 9 A method of manufacturing a split master link for use in an endless track, the method comprised of: forming a split master link process blank; machining a first bore and a second bore in said split master link process blank separated by a distance A'; securing the split master link process blank in an electrical discharge cutting machine by placing a first mandrel through said first bore and a second mandrel through said second bore; calculating a cutting path and storing said calculated cutting path in a memory means in the electrical discharge cutting machine tool; actuating a cutting element of the electrical discharge cutting machine along said cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces in the split master link process blank and to cut said split master link process blank into a first part and a second part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein said step of calculating said cutting path further includes the step of calculating said cutting path along points in the x-axis and y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein said step of calculating said cutting path further includes the step of calculating said cutting path along points in the x-axis and y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system where the values of x and y are 0 at the axis of the first link pin bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of boring a link securing hole in said split master link process blank. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12 wherein said method of manufacturing a split master link further includes the step of placing a securing means into said link securing hole in said split master link process blank. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of securing a split master link process blank further includes the step of securing a plurality of said split master link process blanks to said first and second mandrels in a parallel, spaced-apart horizontal relationship. ### Claim 15 A method of manufacturing a split master link for use in an endless track, the method comprised of: forming a plurality of split master link process blanks; machining a first link pin bore and a second, parallel link pin bore spaced apart from said first link pin bore by a distance A' in each said split master link process blank, and a securing means hole between and having an axis perpendicular to the axis of said first and second link pin bores; securing each of said plurality of the split master link process blanks in an electrical discharge cutting machine by placing a first mandrel through said first bore and a second mandrel through said second bore of each of said split master link process blanks; calculating a cutting path and storing said calculated cutting path in a memory means in the electrical discharge cutting machine; actuating a cutting element of the electrical discharge cutting machine along said cutting path to generate complimentary fit-up faces in each split master link process blank and to cut each said split master link process blank into a first part and a second part; placing a securing means in the link securing hole of each said split master link process blank; and removing said split master link from said electrical discharge cutting machine. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of calculating said cutting path further includes the step of designating the vertical axis of the first link pin bore as the x=0, y=0 coordinate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of machining a link securing hole in each said split master link process blank further includes providing a lower threaded portion in said link securing hole.