Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool – Processes – Bit detachable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2001-05-08
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
Processes
Bit detachable
C408S067000, C408S097000, C408S124000, C408S130000, C408S702000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227773
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the production of molded articles and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for automatically drilling holes in a workpiece molded about a die.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The production of molded articles, for example, airplane fuselage components, is typically subject to various limitations. For instance, it is often more convenient to perform some processes on a molded structure after the structure has been formed on a die and remains affixed thereto, than after removing the molded structure from the die. More particularly, for example, holes must often be drilled in the molded structure, wherein the holes are used to align, coordinate, or attach the molded structure to other parts or tools in the manufacturing process. However, drills currently used to perform such a drilling process are typically large and cumbersome, and may be configured such that they are not able to access some areas of the structure or workpiece to drill the required hole. Further, a drill bushing for guiding the drill bit may not be easily incorporated or used in the drilling process, thereby possibly affecting the accuracy of the hole drilled in the workpiece. In addition, some drills must be manually operated, thus requiring the physical positioning of an operator in an awkward or possibly unsafe position to drill the hole in the workpiece.
Generally, two configurations of drills are utilized for drilling holes in a workpiece formed on a die: a manually-operated drill and a manually-operated drill having automatic feed and retraction capabilities. Where a manually-operated drill is used, the drilling process requires an operator to be positioned on or about the die or workpiece to drill the hole in the workpiece, possibly through a pre-positioned drill bushing. The operator may have to climb onto or under a large die and possibly place himself/herself in an unsafe, awkward, or uncomfortable position to perform the drilling procedure. Also, any contact of the operator with the workpiece or die could result in damage to either component. In addition, chip swarf from the drilling process may come into contact with the workpiece and could cause damage thereto, injury to the operator, or damage to other equipment. Further, since the drilling operation is performed manually, many parameters of the drilling operation such as the feed rate of the drill bit, entry into/exit from the workpiece of the drill bit, start/stop of the drill, and chip swarf removal may suffer from lack of consistency. Still further, the removable drill bushing, possibly used in the drilling process to guide the drill bit, is typically prone to inaccurate installation on or about the workpiece as well as to excessive wear from the manual drilling operation. Such limitations of the drill bushing may thereby lead to inconsistently and inaccurately drilled holes. Drills having automatic feed and retraction provisions reduce, for example, the shortcoming of inconsistent drill bit feed rates present with manually-operated drills, but possess many of the same drawbacks as manually-operated drills.
Thus, there exists a need for a drill capable of being applied, with minimal difficulty, to drill holes in workpieces formed on many different configurations and areas of a die used to mold workpieces. Such a drill should be positionable and actuatable with respect to the die to drill the hole without requiring the operator to climb onto or under the die to perform the drilling process, thereby lessening the risk to the operator and the possibility of damage to the workpiece and/or die. The drill should desirably have automatic feed and retraction capabilities and preferably should have a provision for effectively incorporating a drill bushing for guiding the drill bit as the drilling procedure is performed. The drill should also be capable of collecting the chip swarf produced by the drilling process in order to minimize the possibility of injury to the operator and damage to the workpiece or other equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides an autofeed drill generally comprising an elongate housing having opposed ends, a motor disposed within the housing, an elongate drill bit, a drill bushing, an actuation device, and a resilient member. The motor is disposed within the housing intermediate the opposed ends. The drill bit is operably connected to the motor and is capable of extending from the housing through one end thereof. The drill bushing is operably connected to the housing and defines a bore, where the drill bushing at least partially surrounds the drill bit as the drill bit extends from the housing through the bore. The actuation device is remotely disposed with respect to the housing and is operably connected thereto, wherein the actuation device is capable of causing the motor to rotate the drill bit and is also capable of causing the drill bit to extend from the housing. The resilient member is operably connected between the housing and the motor and is capable of retracting the drill bit into the housing upon deactuation of the actuation device. As such, the autofeed drill of the present invention is capable of drilling holes in workpieces while the workpieces remain on a die and the operator is remote from the autofeed drill.
In one advantageous embodiment, the housing is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to the end of the housing through which the drill bit extends. In addition, at least one of the motor and the drill bit may be axially moveable with respect to the housing to facilitate extension of the drill bit from the housing. Generally, the drill is adapted to drill a hole in a workpiece and a portion of the housing is adapted to collect chip swarf produced by the drill bit as the hole is drilled. The actuation device may operate under, for example, pneumatic control or electrical control, wherein the control causes the motor to rotate the drill bit and also causes the drill bit to extend from the housing.
Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises an apparatus for drilling a hole in a workpiece. Generally, the apparatus comprises a die and a drill including an elongate housing having an engaging end, a motor disposed within the housing, a drill bit operably connected to the motor, an actuation device, and a resilient member. The die has a surface adapted to have the workpiece formed thereon, wherein the drill housing operably engages the die, on the surface opposite the surface on which the workpiece is formed, such that the engaging end does not extend outwardly of the surface of the die. The drill bit is operably connected to the motor and is capable of extending from the housing, and past the surface of the die on which the workpiece is formed, through the engaging end. The actuation device is remotely disposed with respect to the housing and is operably connected thereto, wherein the actuation device is capable of causing the motor to rotate the drill bit and is also capable of causing the drill bit to extend from the housing. The resilient member is operably connected between the housing and the motor and is capable of retracting the drill bit into the housing upon deactuation of the actuation device.
The housing is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis substantially perpendicular to the engaging end of the housing. The housing is operably connected to the die such that the axis of the housing is generally perpendicular to the surface of the die and such that the housing is not capable of rotating about its axis with respect to the die. Typically, either the motor or the drill bit is axially moveable with respect to the housing to facilitate extension of the drill bit from the housing. The apparatus may further include a drill bushing operably connected to the housing and defining a bore, where the drill bushing at least partially surrounds the drill bit as the drill bit exte
Farney Michael David
Miller Richard Henry
Alston & Bird LLP
Carter Monica S.
The Boeing Company
Wellington A. L.
LandOfFree
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