Debris control apparatus for cutting machines

Abstract

A debris control apparatus is provided for selective assembly and disassembly with a cutting tool. The debris control apparatus includes a debris control enclosure and a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the cutting tool. The enclosure comprises a vacuum opening assembled and in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit, the vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum source, for extracting the debris from the enclosure. The enclosure and vacuum conduit may be sized, shaped, and contoured to reduce recirculation of debris within the enclosure.

1 . A debris control apparatus for a cutting machine, wherein the cutting machine includes a cutting tool for cutting a work material, the apparatus comprising:
 a debris control enclosure shaped to admit the cutting tool to the work material while containing, within the enclosure and on the work material, debris from the cutting of the work material, as the cutting tool moves along the work material, the enclosure further comprising a debris shield for maintaining the debris at the work material and a vacuum opening in said enclosure, the vacuum opening being sized, shaped and positioned to receiving a vacuum conduit, connected to a vacuum source, for extracting the debris from the enclosure;   a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the machine such that during operation the enclosure moves along the work material as the cutting tool moves along the work material, the enclosure being mounted independent of movement of the cutting tool in and out of the work material;   the mounting assembly comprising a depth adjuster for adjusting the operating depth of the enclosure;   the debris shield comprises a cutting tool access opening through the shield, the cutting tool access opening being contiguous with an edge of the shield, the debris shield further comprising a gate for selectively opening and closing the cutting tool access opening;   whereby:
 the depth of the enclosure can be adjusted prior to operation such that the debris will be contained in the enclosure during operation; 
 the shield cannot be separated from the cutting tool while the cutting tool extends through the access opening when the access opening is closed; and 
 the shield can be separated from the cutting tool while the cutting tool extends through the access opening when the access opening is open. 
   
     
     
         2 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly comprises a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the machine away from a spindle, which carries the cutting tool and moves the cutting tool into and out of the work material. 
     
     
         3 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the depth is continuously adjustable within a depth adjustment range. 
     
     
         4 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the depth adjuster comprises at least one rail attachable to the machine and having a depth adjustment range, the mounting assembly comprising at least one support arm for supporting the enclosure, the support arm being selectively attachable to the rail at any point within the depth adjustment range. 
     
     
         5 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a brush, depending from the shield, for controlling the debris as the cutting tool moves along the work material. 
     
     
         6 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the shield and brush are sized, shaped and mutually positioned such that the depth of the enclosure can be adjusted to position the brush lightly in contact with the work material such that when the enclosure moves along the work material, the brush maintains the debris under the shield. 
     
     
         7 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly and enclosure are configured for selective adjustment in the front-back direction of the operating position of the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly comprises at least one support arm for supporting the enclosure, and at least one magnetic connector for detachably attaching the enclosure to the support arm. 
     
     
         9 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gate is selectively removable from the debris shield. 
     
     
         10 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly is configured to mount the enclosure to the machine at an X-axis carriage of the machine. 
     
     
         11 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly is configured to mount the enclosure to the machine at a Z-axis rail of the machine. 
     
     
         12 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shield includes a laser shield sized to admit a laser cutting beam to the work material while reducing air flow out of the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The debris control apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the laser shield is composed of a translucent material treated to shield eyes from laser cutting electromagnetic rays. 
     
     
         14 . A debris control apparatus for a cutting machine, wherein the cutting machine includes a cutting tool for cutting a work material, the apparatus comprising:
 a debris control enclosure shaped to admit the cutting tool to the work material while containing, within the enclosure and on the work material, debris from the cutting of the work material, as the cutting tool moves along the work material, the enclosure further comprising a vacuum opening in said enclosure, the vacuum opening assembled and in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit, connected to a vacuum source, for extracting the debris from the enclosure, the enclosure and vacuum conduit further being sized, shaped, and contoured to reduce recirculation of debris within the enclosure; and   a mounting assembly for mounting the enclosure to the machine such that during operation the enclosure moves along the work material as the cutting tool moves along the work material, the enclosure and mounting assembly being configured such that the enclosure is detachably attached to the mounting assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the mounting assembly comprises a depth adjuster for adjusting the operating depth of the enclosure whereby the cutting tool or work material may be changed by detaching the enclosure, without action on the mounting assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the mounting assembly includes at least one support arm having a slot for receiving the enclosure, and wherein the enclosure may be inserted into and withdrawn from the slot. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the mounting assembly and enclosure are attached by at least one magnetic connector. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the enclosure is detached and attached in a front back direction. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the vacuum conduit is integral to the enclosure.