Chip removal apparatus for machine tool

An apparatus for directing chips emanating from a workpiece being machined by a tool toward an outlet spaced from said workpiece, said apparatus comprising:

• an enclosure surrounding said workpiece and tool for confining said chips emanating from said workpiece to said enclosure and directing said chips to an outlet for removal from said enclosure,
• said enclosure comprising a peripheral portion having a curved inner surface, first and second ends, and an outlet,
• said first end being positionable adjacent a machine tool and about one of a tool or workpiece,
• said second end having a front portion attached thereto, said front portion comprising at least one section arranged in a predetermined manner for providing space within said enclosure necessary to accommodate an angular separation between said tool and workpiece, said front portion including an opening through which the other of said tool or workpiece is movable into and out of said enclosure,
• whereby a majority of chips emanating from said workpiece during machining are projected toward and collide tangentially with said curved inner surface, after which said majority of chips travel along said curved inner surface to said outlet.

A method of directing chips emanating from a workpiece being machined by a tool away from said workpiece, said method comprising:

• providing an enclosure surrounding said workpiece and tool for confining said chips emanating from said workpiece to said enclosure for removal via an outlet, said enclosure comprising a peripheral portion having a curved inner surface, first and second ends, and an outlet,
• said first end being positionable adjacent a machine tool and about one of a tool or workpiece,
• said second end having a front portion attached thereto, said front portion comprising at least one section arranged in a predetermined manner for providing space within said enclosure necessary to accommodate an angular separation between said tool and workpiece, said front portion including an opening through which the other of said tool or workpiece is movable into and out of said enclosure,
• machining said workpiece with said tool, a majority of chips emanating from said workpiece being projected toward said curved inner surface and colliding therewith, and thereafter traveling along said curved inner surface toward said outlet.