FLY-CUTTING SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND RELATED TOOLING AND ARTICLES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use in machining a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a fly-cutting head adapted for carrying a cutting element to machine the workpiece, and for rotation about a central axis; and
(b) determining the position of the fly-cutting head with respect to the central axis as a function of time.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties.
65 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for use in machining a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a fly-cutting head adapted for carrying a cutting element to machine the workpiece, and for rotation about a central axis; and (b) determining the position of the fly-cutting head with respect to the central axis as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 35, 36)
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14. A method for use in machining a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a fly-cutting head adapted for carrying a cutting element, and for rotation about a central axis; (b) providing a spindle adapted for carrying the workpiece, and for rotation about a central axis; (c) determining the position of the fly-cutting head with respect to the fly-cutter central axis as a function of time; and (d) determining the position of the spindle with respect to the central axis of the spindle as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of forming features in a surface of a cylindrical workpiece using a fly-cutting head, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a fly-cutting head having a cutting element; (b) providing the cylindrical workpiece; (c) using the fly-cutting head to form an initial feature in the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is rotated around a central axis of rotation, the initial feature having a major axis extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation for less than the length of the workpiece; (d) rotating the workpiece around the central axis of rotation; and (e) using the fly-cutting head to form a subsequent feature in the surface of the workpiece, the subsequent feature having a major axis extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein the subsequent feature is in predetermined location relative to the initial feature. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of forming adjacent longitudinally-extending features or grooves in a cylindrical workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming, beginning near a first end of the workpiece, an initial portion of each feature or groove; and (b) forming subsequent portions of each feature or groove during successive revolutions of the workpiece, the subsequent portions being substantially aligned with the initial portion of each feature or groove, the subsequent portions being formed progressively closer to a second end of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method of forming features in a surface of a cylindrical workpiece using a fly-cutting head, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a fly-cutting head having a cutting element; (b) providing the cylindrical workpiece; (c) using the fly-cutting head to form an initial feature in the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece is rotated around a central axis of rotation, the initial feature having a major axis extending at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation; (d) rotating the workpiece around the central axis of rotation; and (e) using the fly-cutting head to form a subsequent feature in the surface of the workpiece, the subsequent feature having a major axis extending at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation, wherein the subsequent feature is in predetermined location relative to the initial feature. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of forming adjacent features or grooves in a cylindrical workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming, beginning near a first end of the workpiece, an initial portion of each feature or groove at an angle relative to a central axis of rotation of the workpiece; and (b) forming subsequent portions of each feature or groove during successive revolutions of the workpiece, the subsequent portions being substantially aligned with the initial portion of each feature or groove, the subsequent portions being formed progressively closer to a second end of the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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- 37. A cylindrical tool comprising a plurality of groove segments individually formed around the perimeter of the tool, the groove segments being aligned with other groove segments to form generally uniform longitudinally-extending grooves in the tool.
- 38. A cylindrical tool having features or grooves extending from a first end toward a second end, wherein portions of the features or grooves nearest the first end are all relatively sharper than the corresponding portions of the features or grooves near the second end.
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39. A cylindrical tool having grooves extending from a first end toward a second end, wherein the tool is characterized by the absence of a virtual seam along which a sharp groove is adjacent to a less sharp or dull groove.
- 41. A cylindrical tool having groove segments formed therein, wherein the groove segments have a beginning and an end, and the groove segments are arranged according to an integer brick pattern, wherein the integer is greater than one.
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43. A cylindrical tool having groove segments formed therein, wherein the groove segments have a beginning and an end, and successive groove segments are offset with respect to previous groove segments by a helix angle.
- 44. A cylindrical tool comprising a plurality of groove segments, wherein the groove segments are individually formed in positions relative to each other, and wherein the groove depth distribution of successive adjacent grooves, measured along a line that is parallel to any helix angle associated with the groove segments, is multi-modal.
Specification