Machining methods using superabrasive tool
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsBrian J. Schwartz, Daniel F. Grady, Robert E. Erickson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. The body has a tip end protuberance. An abrasive material is located on the protuberance. A body lateral surface has, over a radial span of at least 20% of a radius of the protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward.
Claims15
A process for point abrasive machining of a workpiece comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having:
- a shaft having a central longitudinal axis;
- a tip protuberance grinding surface coated with an abrasive, the tool having a lateral surface having, over a radial span of at least 20% of the radius of the tip protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward;
- orienting said tool relative to a surface of said workpiece to be machined so that there is contact between said surface to be machined and said grinding surface;
- and
- forming a part by removing material at said contact by:
- rotating said tool about the central longitudinal axis;
- translating the tool relative to the workpiece and off-parallel to the longitudinal axis while machining the workpiece;
- and
- cooling the tool by guiding a cooling liquid flow to the grinding surface, the cooling flow being guided along a surface of the shaft and radially diverging to the grinding surface.
A process for point abrasive machining of an engine case segment comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool having:
- a shaft having a central longitudinal axis;
- a tip protuberance grinding surface coated with an abrasive, the tool having a lateral surface having, over a radial span of at least 20% of the radius of the tip protuberance, a continuously concave longitudinal profile diverging tipward;
- orienting said tool relative to a surface of said workpiece to be machined so that there is contact between said surface to be machined and said grinding surface;
- and
- forming a part by removing material at said contact by:
- rotating said tool about the central longitudinal axis;
- translating the tool relative to the workpiece and off-parallel to the longitudinal axis while machining the workpiece so that the protuberance machines an undercut defining a proximal portion of a structural rib in a grid of ribs along a surface of the segment, the proximal portion being narrower than a distal portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.