US4036107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Workpiece orientation column and process
Assignee: Avondale Shipyards Inc
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Filing: 1975-07-17
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1995-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A vertical orientation column capable of orienting or positioning a large workpiece, such as a marine propeller, with respect to four or five axes and a process for machining large and complex workpieces. The column is so constructed as to allow quick installation and removal of the workpiece and to position the workpiece in close proximity to the particular tool which is operating on the workpiece. The orientation column of the present invention is advantageously employed in the machining of propeller blade surfaces and the column is compatible with automatically controlled tools, such as machine tools operated by numerical control. In addition, the orientation column itself may be operated by numerical control. A process for rigidly mounting and moving a large workpiece to be machined for machining of complex shapes therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry G. Constantine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:28
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/02; B23Q3/06; B23Q3/08; B23C; B23C3/00; B23C3/16; B23C3/18; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/48; B23Q1/50; B23C2215/00; B23C2215/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/30084; Y10T409/300896; Y10T409/30112
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A process for machining with a milling machine having a milling head a large, complex, three dimensional workpiece having at least two faces, comprising the steps of: a. Rigidly mounting at least one face of said workpiece to a supporting member spaced from said milling machine; b. Continuously machining said workpiece with said milling machine during a period of time; c. During said period of time, continuously moving said workpiece with respect to at least one of the following five axes of motion, angularly about a vertical axis, angularly about a horizontal axis, angularly about an axis which is rotatable between a vertical and a horizontal position, a linear axis in a horizontal plane, and a linear axis in a vertical plane; and d. During said period moving said workpiece at one or more points in time with respect to each of the angular ones of said five axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A process for machining with a milling machine having a milling head a large, complex, three dimensional workpiece having at least two faces, comprising the steps of: a. Rigidly mounting at least one face of said workpiece to a supporting member spaced from said milling machine; b. Continuously machining said workpiece with said milling machine during a period of time; c. During said period of time, continuously moving said workpiece with respect to at least one of the following five axes of motion, angularly about a vertical axis, angularly about a horizontal axis, angularly about an axis which is rotatable between a vertical and a horizontal position, a linear axis in a horizontal plane, and a linear axis in a vertical plane; and d. During said period moving said workpiece at one or more points in time with respect to each of the angular ones of said five axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, including the step of rotating said third-named axis between said vertical and said horizontal positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said third-named axis is rotated about said second-named axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, including the step of controlling the movement of said supporting member by numerical control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said workpiece is simultaneously moved with respect to at least four of said axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as set forth in claim 5, wherein said workpiece is a marine propeller and said milling machine is a horizontal boring mill having a rigidly mounted spindle with three mutually perpendicular linear axes of movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said workpiece is simultaneously moved with respect to all of said axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as set forth in claim 7, including the step of maintaining said head substantially perpendicular to the portion of the workpiece being machined substantially at all times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said workpiece is a marine propeller and said first and third angular movements each cover a range of at least about 180°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said workpiece is a marine propeller and said milling machine is a horizontal boring mill having a rigid spindle and three mutually perpendicular linear axes of movement of said spindle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid mounting is achieved by adhesively securing the underface of each propeller to a plurality of rigidly mounted inclined planar supporting members, utilizing a quick-setting thermoplastic adhesive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as set forth in claim 11, wherein said adhesive is an epoxy resin having a tensile strength of at least 4,000 p.s.i.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process as set forth in claim 11, including the initial step of imbedding at least one strip heater in the adhesive for each support member to allow the propeller to be separated from the adhesive when the machining is completed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |