US4808046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting method
Assignee: Design Technologies Ltd
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Filing: 1987-07-14
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Granted: 1989-02-28
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Expires: 2007-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of cutting out components from aluminum sheets utilizes a routing tool. The sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum on a vacuum table during the cutting operation with the aid of a film of for example plastics material adhered to the back of the sheet, the routing tool being arranged to cut through the sheet but only partially to penetrate the film.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Pilkington
- 👤 Christopher I. Marlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:08
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/02; B23Q3/06; B23Q3/08; B25; B25B; B25B11/00; B25B11/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/03; Y10T408/55; Y10T408/561; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/303752; Y10T409/303808; Y10T409/30868
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of cutting a metal sheet using a routing tool, in which a film is adhered to one side of the sheet, the sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum applied to said film and the routing tool penetrates completely through the sheet from the other side but does not penetrate completely through the film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of cutting a metal sheet using a routing tool, in which a film is adhered to one side of the sheet, the sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum applied to said film and the routing tool penetrates completely through the sheet from the other side but does not penetrate completely through the film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the film consists of a single layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the film consists of a plurality of layers adhered to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of components are cut from a single sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the routing tool is rotated at a speed of between 10,000 and 30,000 rpm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the speed of rotation of the routing tool is between 15,000 and 25,000 rpm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the routing tool is fed along the path to be cut at a speed not exceeding 9 meters per minute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said speed of feeding does not exceed 7 meters per minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said speed of feeding does not exceed 2 meters per minute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said film is of a plastics material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said film is of a chemically resistant peelable protective coating material applied to said sheet in liquid form.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of cutting a metal sheet using a routing tool, in which a film is adhered to one side of the sheet, the sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum applied to said film and the routing tool penetrates the sheet from the other side but does not penetrate completely through the film, said film having sufficient strength to retain its integrity after said cutting of said sheet and having the property of being peelable from said sheet.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of cutting a metal sheet using a routing tool, in which a film is adhered to one side of the sheet, the sheet is held firmly in position by vacuum applied to said film and the routing tool penetrates the sheet from the other side but does not penetrate completely through the film, said film having sufficient strength to retain its integrity after said cutting of said sheet and having the property of being peelable from said sheet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the routing tool partially penetrates said film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3749625A
Cited
US4005635A
Cited
US4154998A
Cited
US4518288A
Cited
US4667944A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-28 | 1992-08-29 | 1993-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-28 | 1996-08-29 | 1997-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-28 | 2000-08-29 | 2001-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |