| 摘要 |
Apparatus for cutting a metal workpiece including pipe in any desired shape and in a cutting cycle governed by a numerical controller having a plurality of separate output control signal channels. The apparatus is highly versatile and automatically operable to cut any preselected contour in accordance with control or program instructions carried on a control tape. In an illustrative embodiment of the cutting apparatus, a metal cutting torch is supported on a first support and the workpiece to be cut is mounted on a second support so arranged relative to the first support that the relative movement between the workpiece and the torch allows a cut to be made along X and Y axes at right angles to one another. The cutting torch is power driven about its own longitudinal or W axis by a reversible motor and is power driven about a fourth or Z axis to vary the bevel of the cut. The operation of these four power drives is controlled by a tape carrying a predetermined cutting program governing the operation of a numerical controller. The fidelity of the cut contour is monitored and controlled in part by automatic sensor means operable to maintain the cutting torch at a preselected distance from the workpiece. Separate workpiece supporting conveyor means are located to either side of the cutting station and include manually controlled power means operable to shift the workpiece past and relative to the cutting station as well as power means to shift the workpiece past the cutting torch while elevated above the linear transport portion of the conveyor.
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