Method and apparatus for center height alignment of a boring bar

• US 10,254,104 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kennametal Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kennametal Incorporated
• Inventors: Eichelberger, Samuel, Chen, Shi, Fisher, Caleb, Dimatteo, Norm
• Primary Examiner(s): Cigna, Jacob J
• Application Number:
  US14/886,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20170108327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/088 Indication scales
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/094 Levels, e.g. spirit levels
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/128 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2270/32 Use of electronics
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 25/065 Tool setting height gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 29/02 Boring bars
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 49/04 Devices for boring or drilling centre holes in workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/31 for testing the alignment of axes

Abstract

A method and apparatus for center height alignment of a boring bar is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seat member with a bottom and a back, and a digital angle gauge mounted to the seat member. The method includes the steps of: assembling an apparatus comprising a seat member and a digital angle gauge; calibrating the apparatus such that a Display of the digital angle gauge reads zero degrees; and aligning the center height of the boring bar by rotating the boring bar such that the Display of the digital angle gauge reads zero degrees when the apparatus is mounted onto the boring bar.

Claims

1. A method for center height alignment of a boring bar, comprising:

assembling an apparatus comprising a seat member and a digital angle gauge;

calibrating the apparatus such that a display of the digital angle gauge reads zero degrees; and

aligning a center height of the boring bar by rotating the boring bar such that the display of the digital angle gauge reads zero degrees when the apparatus is mounted onto the boring bar,

wherein the apparatus is calibrated to an X-axis way of a lathe,

wherein the apparatus is mounted on a flat located on the boring bar, and

wherein the method is carried out without the use of a flat on the shank of the boring bar.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted onto the boring bar such that the apparatus is oriented parallel to an x-axis of the X-axis way of the lathe.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flat is located on a collar of the boring bar.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is assembled by mounting the digital angle gauge onto the seat member.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is mounted onto the boring bar such that the apparatus is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the boring bar.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising clamping the boring bar in a toolholder of the lathe after the alignment step.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising verifying that the digital angle gauge reads zero degrees in the display after clamping the boring bar in the toolholder.