Rocking apparatus and method for slicing a workpiece utilizing a diamond impregnated wire

摘要

An apparatus for cutting a substantially cylindrical work piece in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the work piece includes a wire having a plurality of cutting elements affixed thereto and a wire drive mechanism for driving the wire across and through the work piece. The wire drive mechanism includes a capstan to move the wire orthogonally across a longitudinal axis of the work piece, a rotational drive to oscillate the wire around the longitudinal axis and an advancing drive to advance the wire perpendicularly through the longitudinal axis of the work piece. In a particular embodiment disclosed herein, the apparatus comprises imparts a substantially rocking motion to the wire drive mechanism about the longitudinal axis of the work piece and the cutting elements of the wire are impregnated diamonds.