Linear saw with stab-cut bevel capability

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 vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

1 . An apparatus for cutting a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: 
 a linear feed assembly capable of automatically moving a workpiece forward and backward 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 using a stab cut.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis, the apparatus able to cut the workpiece at a compound cut using a stab cut in combination with cutting while moving the blade along the 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 , the cutting blade having a maximum cut length longer than the length of the compound cut.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , the blade having a maximum cut length of at least six inches.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as in  claim 5  further comprising upstream and downstream feed assemblies operable to clamp and move workpieces, sense the presence or absence of a workpiece, determine the length of a workpiece, and position the workpiece for cutting at a selected length.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , the blade having a maximum cut length of at least ten inches.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is able to cut the workpiece at other than a ninety-degree bevel cut.  
   
   
       9 . 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 using a stab cut to create a bevel cut on the workpiece.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as in  9  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis and is capable of cutting the workpiece using a stab cut in combination with a transverse cut.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  further comprising a computer assembly for operating and controlling movement of the cutting blade.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as in  claim 9 , the cutter blade having a maximum cut length greater than the length of the bevel cut.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein the bevel cut is a ninety-degree bevel cut.  
   
   
       14 . 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 bevel cut wherein the length of the bevel cut is greater than the cut length of the blade.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as in  14  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein the cutting blade is operable to automatically create at least one bevel cut on a workpiece, at least one transverse cut on the workpiece, and at least one scarf cut on the workpiece.  
   
   
       17 . A method for automatically cutting a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis;    positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis; and    lowering the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece and stab cutting the workpiece while simultaneously moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a bevel cut.    
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 17  further comprising the step of moving the blade along a transverse axis.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 17  further comprising the step of moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis  
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 17  further comprising making a ninety-degree bevel cut.