Method and apparatus for high speed cutting

Abstract

A workpiece is cut by being selectively moved along a first axis under a cutting device, the cutting device being selectively moved along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. Motion of the workpiece and the cutting device is controlled to cut a workpiece. In one embodiment of the invention, the workpiece is selectively moved along the first axis by actuation of a first linear motor, and the cutting device is selectively moved along the second axis by actuation of a second linear motor. The cutting device may be a high-pressure fluid jet system.

1 . A method of cutting a workpiece comprising: 
 selectively moving the workpiece to be cut along a first axis under a fluid jet produced by a cutting head; and    selectively moving the cutting head along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 gripping the workpiece to be cut by a member mounted to a first linear motor; and  
 actuating the first linear motor to selectively move the workpiece to be cut along the first axis.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method according to claims  1  or  2  further comprising: 
 actuating a second linear motor coupled to the cutting head to selectively move the cutting head along the second axis.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 controlling motion of the workpiece and the cutting head to cut a part in the workpiece that is connected to the workpiece by tabs; and  
 breaking the tabs to remove the part from the workpiece.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 positioning a container underneath the workpiece along the second axis to collect the fluid jet and waste resulting from the cutting of the workpiece.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 cutting the workpiece at a rate of up to 5,000 inches per minute.  
 
     
     
         7 . A method for cutting a workpiece comprising: 
 gripping a workpiece to be cut by a member mounted to a first linear motor;    actuating the first linear motor to selectively move the workpiece along a first axis under a fluid jet produced by a cutting head;    actuating a second linear motor coupled to the cutting head to selectively move the cutting head along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and    cutting the workpiece at a rate of up to 5,000 inches per minute.    
     
     
         8 . A method of cutting a workpiece comprising: 
 selectively moving a workpiece to be cut along a first axis under a means for cutting; and    selectively moving the means for cutting along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  further comprising: 
 gripping the workpiece to be cut by a member mounted to a first linear motor; and  
 actuating the first linear motor to selectively move the workpiece to be cut along the first axis.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method according to claims  8  or  9  further comprising: 
 actuating a second linear motor coupled to the means for cutting to selectively move the means for cutting along the second axis.  
 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: 
 a table;    a gripper assembly mounted to the table, the gripper assembly selectively holding the workpiece to be cut and being selectively moveable along a first axis;    a boom coupled to the table; and    a cutting device coupled to the boom, the cutting device being selectively moveable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a first linear motor coupled to the table and to the gripper assembly; and  
 a second linear motor coupled to the boom and to the cutting device.  
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to claims  11  or  12  wherein the cutting device further comprises a cutting head that selectively produces a high-pressure fluid jet.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to claims  11  or  12  wherein the cutting device further comprises a laser.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to claims  11  or  12  wherein the cutting device further comprises a plasma cutter.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to claims  11  or  12  wherein the cutting device further comprises a scriber.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a container that is removably positioned beneath the table aligned along the second axis.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the table is provided with an upper support surface having a low coefficient of friction.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a shoe coupled to a distal end of the cutting head, the shoe being made of a material having a sufficient hardness to displace the workpiece being cut as needed to substantially maintain a standoff distance between an exit orifice of the cutting head and the workpiece within a desired tolerance.  
 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: 
 a frame having a longitudinal beam that defines a first axis;    a first set of rails coupled to the longitudinal beam and configured to receive a first linear motor;    a boom coupled to the frame and extending perpendicular to the first axis to define a second axis; and    a second set of rails coupled to the boom and configured to receive a second linear motor.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a slot provided in the frame aligned with and positioned beneath the boom.  
 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a first linear motor coupled to the first set of rails and to a gripping device; and  
 a second linear motor coupled to the second set of rails and to a cutting device.  
 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the cutting device is an assembly for generating a high-pressure fluid jet.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the cutting device further comprises a laser.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the cutting device further comprises a plasma cutter.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the cutting device further comprises a scriber.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a support surface coupled to the frame, the support surface having a low coefficient of friction.  
 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  further comprising: 
 a container removably positioned beneath the slot in the frame.  
 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 23  further comprising: 
 a shoe coupled to a distal end of the cutting head, the shoe being made of a material having a sufficient hardness to displace the workpiece being cut as needed to substantially maintain a standoff distance between an exit orifice of the cutting head and the workpiece within a desired tolerance.  
 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus for maintaining a standoff distance, comprising: 
 a body having a first end that is selectively coupled to a cutting device and a second end that is positioned on or adjacent a workpiece to be cut when in use, the body being formed of a material having a sufficient hardness to displace the workpiece being cut as needed to substantially maintain a standoff distance between the cutting device and the workpiece within a desired tolerance.