Linear feed cutting apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also comprises positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece.

1 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: 
 a linear feed assembly capable of automatically moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis; and    an automated cutting assembly having at least one cutting blade, the cutting blade rotatable about a pivot axis, movable along a vertical axis into and out of cutting contact with a workpiece, and rotatable along a bevel axis, the apparatus thereby able to cut the workpiece at a compound angle.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a computer assembly for operating and controlling movement of the cutting blade.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the linear feed assembly is capable of moving workpieces up and downstream.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein the linear feed assembly comprises an upstream feed assembly and a downstream assembly.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 5  wherein the upstream and downstream feed assemblies are operable to clamp and move workpieces, sense the presence or absence of a workpiece, and measure the length of a workpiece.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the computer assembly further operates to optimize the use and cutting of workpieces.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a live feed assembly.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a sorter assembly for sorting cut workpieces.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a marking assembly.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: 
 a linear feed system for moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis; and    a cutting assembly having a cutter blade capable of cutting the workpiece at a compound cut to create a bevel cut on the workpiece.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as in  11  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis thereby allowing a scarf cut on the workpiece.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as in  claim 11  further comprising a computer assembly for operating and controlling movement of the cutting blade.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as in  claim 11  wherein the linear feed assembly is capable of moving workpieces up and downstream.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as in  claim 14  wherein the feed assembly is operable to clamp and move workpieces, sense the presence or absence of a workpiece, and measure the length of a workpiece.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: 
 a linear feed assembly for moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis; and    a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, the cutting blade having a maximum cut length and capable of automatically creating a scarf cut wherein the length of the scarf cut is greater than the cut length of the blade.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as in  16  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein the linear feed assembly is capable of moving workpieces up and downstream.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein the cutting blade is operable to automatically create a bevel cut on a workpiece.  
     
     
         20 . A method for automatically cutting a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: 
 moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis;    positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis;    positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis; and    moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle.    
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising the step of positioning the blade along a transverse axis.  
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising the step of moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising the step of sorting a finished workpiece.  
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 20  further comprising marking the workpiece.