Cutting apparatus for a machine tool

A cutting apparatus adapted for use in a machine tool, comprising:

• a mounting frame;
• a cutting unit including
• a rotating shaft that is mounted in said mounting frame, and that extends along and is rotatable about an axis, and
• a cutter assembly that is connected co-rotatably to an end of said rotating shaft along the axis;
• a locking unit including
• a first locking piece that is connected immovably to said mounting frame,
• a second locking piece that is connected co-rotatably to said rotating shaft of said cutting unit, and
• a latch assembly that surrounds said rotating shaft, and that is movable along the axis between a locked position where said latch assembly restrains said first and second locking pieces so as to prevent said rotating shaft from rotating relative to said mounting frame, and an unlocked position where said latch assembly is separated from said first and second locking pieces such that said rotating shaft is rotatable relative to said mounting frame;
• a driving unit mounted to said mounting frame for driving rotation of said rotating shaft of said cutting unit when said latch assembly is at the unlocked position;
• and
• a control unit including
• a sensor for generating a first signal upon detecting that said latch assembly is at the locked position, and for generating a second signal upon detecting that said latch assembly is at the unlocked position, and
• a controller that is coupled to said sensor and said driving unit, that controls said driving unit to drive rotation of said rotating shaft upon receipt of the second signal from said sensor, and that controls said driving unit to shut off upon receipt of the first signal from said sensor.