Methods and apparatus for an annular core cutter
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMichael S. Heuschober, Jeffrey E. Polus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An annular core cutting apparatus includes a cutting head including a generally cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cutting edge, and wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of openings having at least one sharpened edge. A spindle is coaxially and rigidly coupled to the second end of the cylindrical sidewall, and the spindle configured to rotate about a rotational axis. In a further embodiment, a generally conical member is disposed within the cutting apparatus to assist with grinding and removal of waste material.
Claims17
A cutting apparatus comprising:
- a cutting head including a generally cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cutting edge, and wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of openings, at least one edge of the plurality of openings being sharpened;
- a spindle coaxially and rigidly coupled to the second end of the cylindrical sidewall, the spindle configured to rotate about a rotational axis;
- and
- a generally conical grinding member converging toward the first end and being coupled to the spindle adjacent the second end of the cylindrical sidewall.
A method for cutting a workpiece comprising a core material, the method comprising:
- providing a cutting apparatus comprising a cutting head with a generally cylindrical sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cutting edge, and wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of openings, at least one edge of the plurality of openings being sharpened, a spindle coaxially and rigidly coupled to the second end of the cylindrical sidewall, the spindle configured to rotate about a rotational axis and a generally conical grinding member converging toward the first end and being coupled to the spindle adjacent the second end of the cylindrical sidewall;
- positioning the cutting head on a cutting surface of the workpiece such that the rotational axis is substantially parallel to the workpiece;
- cutting away a portion of the workpiece by moving the cutting head in a direction that is substantially parallel to a cutting surface of the workpiece;
- and
- ejecting the cut-away portion of the workpiece through the plurality of openings.
A core cutting head of the type configured to be mechanically coupled to a rotating spindle having a rotational axis, the cutting head comprising:
- an annular blade having a cutting edge at a first end thereof;
- at least one opening in the annular blade, at least one edge of the opening having a cutting region;
- and
- a generally conic grinding element provided within the annular blade adjacent a second opposite end of the annular blade adjacent to the spindle and converging toward the first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.