Alignment tool for positioning a cutting tool of a shaping machine
OwnerJames M. Corradoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alignment tool for positioning the tip of a cutting tool of a spindle-driven shaping machine is provided with means for accurately and repeatedly locating a cutting tool plane of motion of any angle with respect to the shaping machine's orientation is space, means for positioning the center of gravity of the alignment tool to a desired location and means for indicating a plurality of parallel cutting planes in which the cutting tool may be located. The alignment tool affords more accurate placement of the shaping machine cutter with greater ease of use than similar tools of the prior art.
Claims21
An alignment tool for positioning a cutting tool at a predetermined cutting location on a workpiece, the workpiece being affixed to a spindle of a shaping machine and being coaxially aligned therewith, the shaping machine being provided with at least orthogonal longitudinal and transverse cutting tool axes and orthogonal longitudinal and transverse shaping machine axes, said cutting tool axes and said shaping machine axes having independent orientation, each with respect to the other, the alignment tool comprising:
- an arbor clamp for positioning a longitudinal center line of the alignment tool on an axis of rotation of the spindle;
- an alignment tool body including:
- an indicator surface longitudinally parallel to said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool;
- and
- a plurality of cutting plane indicators coupled to said alignment tool body along said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, each of said cutting plane indicators indicating a point on a corresponding one of a plurality of cutting planes, said point being located at a predetermined transverse distance from said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, wherein said point on one of said cutting planes coincides with the predetermined cutting location on the workpiece;
- and
- cutting axis locator means coupled to said alignment tool body for aligning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool to the longitudinal cutting tool axis, said cutting axis locator means including adjustment means for aligning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool to the longitudinal cutting tool axis of the shaping machine independent of the orientation thereof to the longitudinal shaping machine axis, whereby the cutting tool located at the predetermined location on the workpiece may be translated parallel to the longitudinal cutting tool axis in said one of said cutting planes.
An alignment tool for positioning a cutting tool at a predetermined cutting location on a workpiece, the workpiece being affixed to a spindle of a shaping machine and being coaxially aligned therewith, the shaping machine being provided with at least orthogonal longitudinal and transverse cutting tool axes and orthogonal longitudinal and transverse shaping machine axes, said cutting tool axes and said shaping machine axes having independent orientation, each with respect to the other, the alignment tool comprising:
- a displaceable counterweight for positioning a longitudinal center of gravity of the alignment tool;
- an alignment tool body including:
- a V-shaped yoke inwardly disposed therein such that a vertex thereof is located on a longitudinal center line of the alignment tool;
- and
- an indicator surface longitudinally parallel to said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool;
- a laser assembly coupled to said alignment tool body, said laser assembly having formed thereon a plurality of laser apertures disposed along said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, each of said laser apertures emitting a laser spot for indicating a point on a corresponding one of a plurality of cutting planes, said point being located a predetermined transverse distance from said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, wherein said point on one of said cutting planes coincides with the predetermined cutting location on the workpiece;
- clamping means for positioning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool on an axis of rotation of the spindle, said clamping means including a backing brace and a clamp screw, wherein said backing brace is coupled to said alignment tool body so that a distal end of said clamp screw is directed towards said vertex of said V-shaped yoke;
- and
- cutting axis locator means coupled to said alignment tool body for aligning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool to the longitudinal cutting tool axis, said cutting axis locator means including adjustment means for aligning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool to the longitudinal cutting tool axis of the shaping machine independent of the orientation thereof to the longitudinal shaping machine axis, whereby the cutting tool located at the predetermined location on the workpiece may be translated parallel to the longitudinal cutting tool axis in said one of said cutting planes.
An alignment tool for positioning a cutting tool at a predetermined cutting location on a workpiece, the workpiece being affixed to a spindle of a shaping machine and being coaxially aligned therewith, the shaping machine being provided with at least orthogonal longitudinal and transverse cutting tool axes and orthogonal longitudinal and transverse shaping machine axes, said cutting tool axes and said shaping machine axes having independent orientation, each with respect to the other, the alignment tool comprising:
- a displaceable counterweight for positioning a longitudinal center of gravity of the alignment tool;
- an alignment tool body including:
- a V-shaped yoke inwardly disposed therein such that a vertex thereof is located on a longitudinal center line of the alignment tool;
- and
- an indicator surface longitudinally parallel to said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool;
- and
- a plurality of cutting plane indicators integrally coupled to said alignment tool body along said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, each of said cutting plane apertures indicating a point on a corresponding one of a plurality of cutting planes, said point being located a predetermined transverse distance from said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool, wherein said point on one of said cutting planes coincides with the predetermined cutting location on the workpiece;
- clamping means for positioning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool on an axis of rotation of the spindle, said clamping means including a backing brace and a clamp screw, wherein said backing brace is coupled to said alignment tool body so that a distal end of said clamp screw is directed towards said vertex of said V-shaped yoke;
- and
- an electronic level coupled to said alignment tool body for aligning said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool to the longitudinal cutting tool axis, said electronic level coupled to controller means for storing a user-selected orientation in space of said electronic level, said orientation in space corresponding to said longitudinal center line of the alignment tool being parallel to said longitudinal cutting tool axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.