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US 9,050,668 B2Granted
Method of cutting a slot
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMichael D. Katzenberger, Ike C. Schevers, Anthony P. Slade, Steve L. Arana
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of cutting a slot using an apparatus comprising a carriage that is movable along an axis, a cutting tool, and a depth controller. The cutting tool may be removably attached to the carriage. The depth controller may be used to select a cutting depth of the cutting tool with respect to a surface of a workpiece closest to a part.
Claims7
A method of cutting a slot in a workpiece, the method comprising:
- attaching a cutting tool to a carriage to provide a cutting tool system, the cutting tool being removable;
- placing the cutting tool system on the workpiece;
- cutting an access slot in the workpiece;
- placing the cutting tool system into the access slot prior to cutting the slot;
- selecting a depth of the slot using a depth controller;
- and
- cutting the slot with the cutting tool system.
4 more elements
A method of cutting a slot in a workpiece attached to a skin panel, the method comprising:
- cutting an access slot in the workpiece;
- placing a cutting tool system into the access slot, wherein the cutting tool system comprises a frame;
- a set of tracks attached to the frame;
- a carriage configured to move along the set of tracks;
- a cutting tool capable of being removably attached to the carriage;
- and a depth controller capable of controlling a cutting depth of the cutting tool with respect to a surface of a part;
- positioning the carriage at a starting point;
- adjusting a foot system to touch a surface of the skin panel;
- securing the cutting tool system to the workpiece;
- selecting a depth of the slot using the depth controller;
- activating the cutting tool;
- moving the carriage along the set of tracks to cut the slot;
- and
- repeating the positioning step, the selecting step, and the activating step until the slot has a desired depth.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.