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 along its longitudinal axis to position the workpiece for a cut; and   an automated cutting assembly having at least one cutting blade, the cutting blade automatically rotatable about a pivot axis, automatically movable along a vertical axis into and out of cutting contact with a workpiece, and automatically rotatable along a bevel axis, the apparatus able to automatically cut the workpiece at a bevel angle using a stab cut by automatically moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis using the linear feed assembly and simultaneously automatically moving the cutting assembly along the vertical axis.   
   
   
       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 bevel cut using a stab cut and thereafter cutting the workpiece 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 assembly blade. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , the cutting blade having a maximum cut length shorter than the length of the bevel 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 automatically moving a workpiece forward and backward along its longitudinal axis; and   a cutting assembly having a cutter blade capable of automatically cutting the workpiece using a stab cut, the apparatus capable of automatically moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis and simultaneously automatically cutting the workpiece using a stab cut to create a bevel cut on the workpiece.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as in  claim 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 automatically moving a workpiece forward and backward along its longitudinal axis; and   a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, the cutting assembly capable of cutting the workpiece using a stab cut, the cutting blade having a maximum cut length, the apparatus capable of automatically creating a bevel cut by simultaneously moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis and automatically cutting the workpiece using a stab cut, wherein the length of the bevel cut is greater than the cut length of the blade.   
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as in  claim 14  wherein the cutting blade is further automatically movable along a transverse axis. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as in  claim 14  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.