Abstract: A method for removing a weld crown from a weld joint between first and second work pieces includes steps of positioning a rotary milling tool proximate to the joint and at an offset angle to set a cutting arc relative to the joint. The milling tool is positioned so the cutting arc intersects the weld crown, weld toes, and parent metal on each side of the weld joint. As the milling tool traverses the joint to cut away the weld crown, the milling tool may tilt from side to side to compensate for misalignment between the work pieces along the weld joint. An apparatus for weld crown removal holds a milling tool at an offset angle, and provides a tracking mechanism to permit the milling tool to track misalignment between the work pieces, maintaining the cutting arc in intersection with the weld toes and parent metal along the weld joint.

Abstract: A method for removing a weld crown from a weld joint between first and second work pieces includes steps of positioning a rotary milling tool proximate to the joint and at an offset angle to set a cutting arc relative to the joint. The milling tool is positioned so the cutting arc intersects the weld crown, weld toes, and parent metal on each side of the weld joint. As the milling tool traverses the joint to cut away the weld crown, the milling tool may tilt from side to side to compensate for misalignment between the work pieces along the weld joint. An apparatus for weld crown removal holds a milling tool at an offset angle, and provides a tracking mechanism to permit the milling tool to track misalignment between the work pieces, maintaining the cutting arc in intersection with the weld toes and parent metal along the weld joint.

Abstract: A cutting tool and mounting system includes a tool carrier arranged to be mounted onto a workpiece, a cutting tool assembly carried by the tool carrier, and a tracking assembly connected to the cutting tool assembly and positioned to follow the contour of an outer surface of the workpiece. The cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and a tool driving system connected to and arranged to transmit rotary input motion to the cutting tool. The cutting tool is secured by the tool driving system to be fed along its axis of rotation and transversely of its axis of rotation for cutting a workpiece through a wall thickness of the workpiece to impart a beveled surface to a severed end portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting tool and track system includes a multi-segment track assembly configured to be removably attached to a surface of a workpiece, a carriage assembly configured to ride along the track assembly, a carriage drive mechanism arranged to drive the carriage assembly along the track assembly, a cutting tool assembly connected to the carriage assembly, and a tool driving system connected to the cutting tool assembly. The cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill type cutting tool that may be driven in a radial cutting plane about the axis of a tubular workpiece or along a workpiece surface. A method is provided for cutting a workpiece wherein a cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill mounted for travel along a predetermined transport path in a cutting plane about a central axis of the workpiece wherein the end mill is first fed through the wall thickness of the workpiece and the cutting tool assembly is moved along the transport path in the cutting plane to cut the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting tool and mounting system includes a tool carrier arranged to be mounted onto a workpiece, a cutting tool assembly carried by the tool carrier, and a tracking assembly connected to the cutting tool assembly and positioned to follow the contour of an outer surface of the workpiece. The cutting tool assembly includes a cutting tool arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and a tool driving system connected to and arranged to transmit rotary input motion to the cutting tool. The cutting tool is secured by the tool driving system to be fed along its axis of rotation and transversely of its axis of rotation for cutting a workpiece through a wall thickness of the workpiece to impart a beveled surface to a severed end portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A cutting tool and track system includes a multi-segment track assembly configured to be removably attached to a surface of a workpiece, a carriage assembly configured to ride along the track assembly, a carriage drive mechanism arranged to drive the carriage assembly along the track assembly, a cutting tool assembly connected to the carriage assembly, and a tool driving system connected to the cutting tool assembly. The cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill type cutting tool that may be driven in a radial cutting plane about the axis of a tubular workpiece or along a workpiece surface. A method is provided for cutting a workpiece wherein a cutting tool assembly rotatably supports an end mill mounted for travel along a predetermined transport path in a cutting plane about a central axis of the workpiece wherein the end mill is first fed through the wall thickness of the workpiece and the cutting tool assembly is moved along the transport path in the cutting plane to cut the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for aligning and guiding a weld head or torch along a desired weld path includes a travel mechanism for moving a weld head assembly along a fixed path and a steering mechanism for moving a weld head or torch relative to the fixed path in order to follow a desired weld path. A method of establishing the desired weld path includes the steps of establishing coordinates of the path by moving the weld head or torch to positions along the desired path and recording locations of the weld head or torch at the desired positions. Movement of the weld head or torch between the coordinates is achieved by interpolating a path as the weld head or torch is moved from one coordinate to the next following initiation of an automatic steering program.

Abstract: A quick setting and release actuator for cooperating with an axially movable chuck for holding a tubular workpiece in fixed position includes an anchor member (12) that is mounted in fixed relationship relative to a housing of a machine tool (20) and a thrust member (42) carried by a pivotally mounted carrier member (38) that pivots towards and away from the anchor member to drive the thrust member (42) into engagement with the end wall (44) of a multi-segment collet (26) to cause the collet to ride along its segment bearing surfaces (30) in a radial direction to engage the periphery of a workpiece (24) to be retained in the machine tool (20). Thrust member (42) may be pivotally mounted by a pivot connection (48) on the carrier (38) so that the thrust member will align itself with the end wall (44) of collet (26) even when the carrier is not precisely parallel with the collet end wall.

Abstract: A quick setting and release actuator for cooperating with an axially movable chuck for holding a tubular workpiece in fixed position includes an anchor member (12) that is mounted in fixed relationship relative to a housing of a machine tool (20) and a thrust member (42) carried by a pivotally mounted carrier member (38) that pivots towards and away from the anchor member to drive the thrust member (42) into engagement with the end wall (44) of a multi-segment collet (26) to cause the collet to ride along its segment bearing surfaces (30) in a radial direction to engage the periphery of a workpiece (24) to be retained in the machine tool (20). Thrust member (42) may be pivotally mounted by a pivot connection (48) on the carrier (38) so that the thrust member will align itself with the end wall (44) of collet (26) even when the carrier is not precisely parallel with the collet end wall.