Method and apparatus for non-spindle multi-axis machining

摘要

A non-spindle multi-axis machining center (600) and method for forming a part using a non-rotating cutting tool (400) for removing material from a non-rotating workpiece within a three-dimensional work envelope. The non-spindle machining center makes obsolete the use of mills for profiling operations without the need to rotate the cutting tool to produce sufficient torque to remove material. Instead, the cutting tool (400) applies a linear cutting force to the workpiece along a one-, two-, or three-dimensional cutting path with sufficient impact to remove material by means of controlled fracturing instead of plastic deformation. Also, without the need to rotate, neither the cutting tool nor the part are constrained in shape by axial symmetry. Therefore, parts without restrictions in shape can be produced with higher material removal rates and finer surface finishes than by milling or turning.

主权项

1. A non-spindle multi-axis machining apparatus comprising:
a base section to which machine components are attached directly or by intermediary devices; at least one linear drive; a plurality of cutting tools affixed to at least one linear drive where the at least one drive moves at least one of the plurality cutting tools with sufficient force to induce controlled fracturing; at least one table affixed to the base for holding a workpiece in a fixed position in relation to the at least one table such that the at least one table moves independently of the cutting tool and is configured so the at least one linear drive moves the at least one table in both a vertical and horizontal axis relative to the base section; a programmable controller configured to cause a cutting edge of one of the plurality of cutting tools to be in operative engagement with the workpiece that is held by the table in order to cause the cutting edge to translate along an accurate path to cut the workpiece while the cutting tool is not rotated with a continuous milling-type rotation and while the workpiece that is held by the table is not rotated with a continuous turning-type rotation; and wherein the at least one cutting tool and the at least one table move relative to one another along any three-dimensional path within a work envelope of the machining apparatus for profiling the workpiece into a predetermined shape using a controlled fracturing process.