GB994656A - Improvements in profile cutting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

994,656. Cutting by fusion. BRITISH OXYGEN CO. Ltd. Nov. 21, 1963 [Oct. 9, 1962], No. 38157/62. Heading B3V. A cutting machine comprises a longitudinal carriage 2 movable along rails 3 and having a cross beam 1 for one or more cutting head carriages 8 which are moved along the cross beam by being clamped to the upper or lower strands of a taut loop 11 running around pulleys 12. A main upper carriage 4 driven along the cross beam by a reversible variablespeed motor 5, carries a photo electric tracing device 6 which scans a drawing on table 7. The main carriage is driven by another similar motor. Both motors are controlled by the tracing device 6. Alternatively the motors may be controlled by a magnetic tape in which case the main upper carriage 4 and tracing device 6 may be omitted, or the main upper carriage may have a magnetic or friction roller co-operating with a mechanical template. The loop 11 of stainless steel strip is held taut by spring 13 and is clamped at 14 to the main carriage or one of its pulleys 12 may be driven by motor 5. The cutting head carriages 8 run on wheels along the cross beam 1 and are each clamped to either the upper or lower strands of the loop by a handle 23 which moves upper or lower pressure pads 19, Fig. 2 (not shown) to grip the strand. This enables the carriage to move in the same or opposite direction as the main carriage for cutting identical or mirror-image shapes. In an intermediate position of the handle the carriage is free. The carriages 8 have oxy-acetylene burners 9 for cutting a steel plate 10 or oxyplasma or arc cutting torches.