CUTTING TOOL AND TRACK GUIDANCE SYSTEM

摘要

A cutting tool and track system includes a multi-segment track assembly configured to be removably attached to a surface of a workpiece, a carriage assembly configured to ride along the track assembly, a carriage drive mechanism arranged to drive the carriage assembly along the track assembly, a cutting tool assembly connected to the carriage assembly, and a tool driving system connected to the cutting tool assembly. The cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill type cutting tool that may be driven in a radial cutting plane about the axis of a tubular workpiece or along a workpiece surface. A method is provided for cutting a workpiece wherein a cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill mounted for travel along a predetermined transport path in a cutting plane about a central axis of the workpiece wherein the end mill is first fed through the wall thickness of the workpiece and the cutting tool assembly is moved along the transport path in the cutting plane to cut the workpiece.