Method and apparatus for cutting a workpiece
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
a first carriage supported on the frame for movement with respect to the frame in a first direction;
a second carriage supported on the first carriage for movement with respect to the frame in a second direction;
a motor coupled with the second carriage; and
a cutting blade coupled with the motor for engaging and cutting the workpiece during operation of the apparatus.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for obtaining a desired cut in a workpiece and a method of using the same is provided. The apparatus has a base with a cutting member moveably coupled thereto. A scanner is coupled with the base for scanning the profile of the workpiece desired to be cut. A computing device may use information from the scanning process to control transverse and longitudinal stepper motors to move the cutting member through a desired cutting path to achieve a cut based on the profile of the workpiece, such as a cope cut. A user can store profiles of previously scanned workpieces in a memory component of the computing device.
53 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
-
a frame;
a first carriage supported on the frame for movement with respect to the frame in a first direction;
a second carriage supported on the first carriage for movement with respect to the frame in a second direction;
a motor coupled with the second carriage; and
a cutting blade coupled with the motor for engaging and cutting the workpiece during operation of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
-
a base;
a cutting member movably and operably coupled with the base;
a scanner coupled with the base for scanning a profile of the workpiece; and
a computing device operably coupled with the cutting member, wherein the computing device controls movement of the cutting member during use. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of cutting a workpiece comprising:
-
scanning a profile of the workpiece desired to be cut;
storing data corresponding to the profile of the workpiece in a memory component of a computing device; and
converting the data corresponding to the profile of the workpiece into movements of a cutting member of a cutting apparatus.
-
-
20. A method of scanning a profile of a workpiece using an optical scanner, the method comprising:
-
placing the workpiece adjacent the scanner;
emitting a light from the scanner onto a surface of the workpiece;
moving one of the scanner and the workpiece with respect to the other, whereby the light moves across the surface of the workpiece; and
measuring the intensity of the light as it is reflected off of the surface of the workpiece as the light moves across the surface. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method of cutting a workpiece with a cutting apparatus having a cutting member operably and movably coupled with a base, wherein the cutting apparatus includes a computing device for controlling operation of the cutting apparatus and a control panel to permit a user to interface with the apparatus, the method comprising:
-
placing the workpiece on the base;
selecting a type of cut to be performed on the workpiece via the control panel;
adjusting the orientation of the cutting member with respect to the base as a result of the type of cut selected to be performed on the workpiece;
displaying information regarding the type of cut to be performed on a display; and
initiating the cut using the control panel. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. A method of directing a user to provide desirable information for cutting a workpiece with a cutting apparatus having a cutting member operably and movably coupled with a base, wherein the cutting apparatus includes a computing device for controlling operation of the cutting apparatus and a control panel to permit a user to interface with the apparatus, the method comprising:
-
providing for the requesting of an indication of an option to be selected from a set of options;
providing for the receipt of an indication of an option selected from a set of options; and
providing for presenting an indication of an option previously selected from a set of options. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
Specification