Toolholder with retractable bushing
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorJohn S. Agapiou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for machining a workpiece in a single-pass comprising a tool configured to produce a borehole when rotated and translated relative to the workpiece, a toolholder configured to fixedly secure and rotate the tool, and a bushing retractably coupled to the toolholder, so as to be shiftable between extended and fully retracted positions, and preferably biased towards the extended position, wherein said tool, toolholder, and bushing are cooperatively configured such that the bushing provides lateral support for the tool during the machining process.
Claims19
An apparatus for machining a finished borehole in a workpiece, in a single pass, said apparatus comprising:
- a tool configured to mill or ream the workpiece when in contact therewith and while rotating and translating relative thereto, so as to produce the finished borehole in the workpiece;
- a tool holder configured to rotate the tool and secure the tool in a fixed position relative to the tool holder, so as to present a distal tool end;
- and
- a first bushing retractably coupled to the tool holder, and presenting a support section laterally adjacent at least a portion of, so as to limit deflection by, the tool, during machining,
- said tool and bushing being cooperatively configured so that the bushing contacts the workpiece after the tool, and slidably engages the tool during at least a portion of the tool translation period.
An apparatus for machining a finished borehole in a workpiece, in a single pass, said apparatus comprising:
- a tool configured to mill or ream the workpiece, when in contact therewith and while rotating and translating relative thereto, so as to produce the finished borehole in the workpiece;
- a tool holder configured to rotate the tool and secure the tool in a fixed position relative to the tool holder, so as to present a distal tool end;
- and
- a first bushing retractably coupled to the tool holder, and presenting a distal bushing end, and a support section laterally adjacent at least a portion of the tool, during machining,
- said tool and bushing being cooperatively configured so that the bushing contacts the workpiece after the tool, slidably engages the tool during at least a portion of the tool translation,
- said support section completely circumscribing the tool, so as to form a superjacent sleeve therewith,
- said bushing being retractable from an extended position and towards a fully retracted position, and biased towards the extended position,
- said bushing and tool being cooperatively configured so that the distal tool end and distal bushing end in the extended position are longitudinally spaced a maximum distance equal to two times the operating diameter of the tool, wherein the tool holder is closer to the bushing end.
A method of machining a finished borehole in a workpiece in a single pass, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) rotating and translating a tool relative to the workpiece, wherein said tool defines a distal end, presents a cutting surface adjacent the distal end, and engages the workpiece with the cutting surface, so as to shave material from the workpiece;
- (b) laterally supporting the tool near the workpiece with a collapsible element, while the tool engages the workpiece;
- and
- (c) concurrently collapsing the element after the tool engages the workpiece, and further supporting the tool at or near the workpiece, so as to limit deflection by the tool during translation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.