Method and apparatus for machining work pieces

An apparatus for machining a curved surface on a pipe having a longitudinal center axis using a multi-axial machine head, the apparatus comprising:

• a work support configured to hold the work piece stationary without rotary or translational movement of the work support or work piece during the machining;
• a machine head configured to and operative to move in a rotary direction and multiple linear directions relative to the work piece including a machine head rotary direction, a machine head linear feed-in direction along the longitudinal center axis, a machine head linear feed-out direction orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis, and a machine head linear vertical direction orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis, the rotary and multiple linear directions of movement of the machine head allowing for rapid mounting of the pipe to the work support without the need for precision locators for aligning the pipe on the work support;
• a rotary spindle positioned on the machine head and configured to translate with the machine head relative to the pipe in the machine head linear feed-in direction, the machine head linear feed-out direction, and the machine head linear vertical direction and to rotate relative to the pipe about the longitudinal center axis for the curved surface with the feed-in direction being generally parallel to the longitudinal center axis;
• and
• a thread cutting tool mounted on the rotary spindle and configured to translate relative thereto in a tool feed-out direction relative to the machine head and orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis of the stationary curved surface to engage and to machine the stationary curved surface with the machine head linear feed-out direction used for large horizontal adjustments of the machine head and rotary spindle thereon and the tool feed-out direction used for fine horizontal adjustments of the thread cutting tool for cutting threads to a precision depth.