Computer-controlled peripheral shaping system
First Claim
1. A turning machine for shaping a slab of easily machinable material having at least two parallel faces, said machine comprising:
- power means for rotating the slab about an axis perpendicular to said parallel faces;
a cutting wire comprising a straight segment which operationnaly contacts the slab and extends through and beyond both said parallel faces; and
power means for independently translating the ends of said straight segment towards and away from the axis of rotation in order to selectively vary the spacing and angle of said straight segment with respect to the axis of rotation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for cutting shapes from slabs of easily machinable material, such as plastic foam, under computer control. These shaped slabs can then be piled and glued together in order to build large complex volumes, to be used as models, molds or cores of fiber-reinforced objects. The slab of material is rotated around a fixed axis of rotation, while a cutting wire is driven in translation and tilted at various angles within a plane parallel to or containing said axis of rotation. The cutting action of the wire results from electrically induced heat and/or abrasive motions of the wire in its own direction. This cutting machine is used as a peripheral of a microcomputer, and receives from this microcomputer the signals necessary to control the electric motors driving the rotation of the slab of material and the motions of the cutting wire.
70 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A turning machine for shaping a slab of easily machinable material having at least two parallel faces, said machine comprising:
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power means for rotating the slab about an axis perpendicular to said parallel faces; a cutting wire comprising a straight segment which operationnaly contacts the slab and extends through and beyond both said parallel faces; and power means for independently translating the ends of said straight segment towards and away from the axis of rotation in order to selectively vary the spacing and angle of said straight segment with respect to the axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A turning machine for shaping a slab of easily machinable material having at least one set of two parallel faces comprising:
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a turntable upon which the slab is secured during operation, the parallel faces of said set being mounted perpendicular to the central axis of the turntable and normally extend beyond the turntable; a motor for revolving the turntable about the central axis; two carriages operationnally flanking said set of parallel faces of the slab and mounted for independent translations toward and away from said central axis; means including further separate motors to effect said carriage translations; a cutting wire comprising a straight segment extending between said carriages for operational engagement with the slab; and means for taking up slack in the cutting wire to maintain said straight section under tension. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification