Jewelry making machine with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Described herein are jewelry making machines with improved cutting capabilities and methods of use thereof.

1 . A jewelry making machine comprising: 
 (i) a frame;    (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation;    (iii) a relatively short cutting tool;    (iv) an auxiliary tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation; and    (v) a drive mechanism coupled to the rotating spindle and the auxiliary tool holder in such a manner to cause the auxiliary tool holder to be driven in rotation from the spindle,    whereby with the relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount, the relatively short cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.    
   
   
       2 . A jewelry making machine comprising: 
 (i) a frame;    (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame and having a rotating spindle for rotating about a spindle axis of rotation;    (iii) a tool; and    (iv) a tool holder mounted to the machining head for holding the tool in a position displaced from the spindle axis of rotation, the tool holder being driven in rotation from the spindle.    
   
   
       3 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the tool comprises a cutting tool.  
   
   
       4 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the tool holder is driven by a belt drive.  
   
   
       5 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the tool holder is offset such that the tool is offset from and parallel to the spindle axis.  
   
   
       6 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the machine is used to make rings and the tool is sized and configured to be inserted substantially or entirely within a ring for working the inside of the ring.  
   
   
       7 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the tool holder comprises a bracket secured to the machining head and a driven pulley mounted to the bracket, with the cutting tool being driven in rotation by the driven pulley.  
   
   
       8 . A jewelry making machine as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a pulley driven by the spindle shaft and driving the driven pulley.  
   
   
       9 . In a milling machine apparatus of the type used for making jewelry and having a tool mount for supporting and driving a rotating tool about a first axis of rotation, the improvement therein comprising: 
 (i) an auxiliary tool mount for supporting and driving the rotating tool in a manner displaced from the first axis of rotation; and    (ii) a relatively short cutting tool mounted to the auxiliary tool mount to allow the relatively short cutting tool to be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor.    
   
   
       10 . A method for producing jewelry, comprising 
 (i) substantially inserting the cutting tool of the machine in  claim 1  within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor having an inner surface; and    (ii) cutting the inner surface of the jewelry or jewelry precursor.    
   
   
       11 . A jewelry making machine comprising: 
 (i) a frame;    (ii) a machining head movably mounted to the frame; and    (iii) a relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head;    whereby with the relatively short motorized cutting tool mounted to the machining head, the relatively short motorized cutting tool can be inserted substantially within a piece of jewelry or jewelry precursor for working the inside of the piece of jewelry.